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Ryan Croasdale

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Ryan Croasdale
Croasdale as a Stockport County player (July 2023)
Personal information
Full name Ryan Mark Croasdale[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-26) 26 September 1994 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Lancaster, England[2]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Number 18
Youth career
2003–2013 Preston North End
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Preston North End 0 (0)
2013 → Tamworth (loan) 2 (0)
2014 → Stalybridge Celtic (loan) 14 (1)
2014–2016 Sheffield Wednesday 0 (0)
2016–2018 Kidderminster Harriers 75 (11)
2018–2020 AFC Fylde 80 (9)
2020–2024 Stockport County 158 (7)
2024– Port Vale 14 (2)
International career
2017–2019 England C 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:15, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

Ryan Mark Croasdale (born 26 September 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Port Vale. He has also won six caps for the England C team.

Croasdale made his professional debut at Preston North End in 2013. From Preston, he was loaned out to Tamworth and Stalybridge Celtic. He was signed by Sheffield Wednesday in June 2014, though he did not feature in a first-team game in a two-year stay at the club. He entered non-League football with Kidderminster Harriers on a non-contract basis in August 2016. He signed a contract with the club and made 89 appearances in two seasons, scoring eleven goals and captaining the club. He was sold to AFC Fylde for £50,000 in June 2018 and won the FA Trophy with Fylde in 2019. He took a free transfer to Stockport County in September 2020. He made 184 appearances in four seasons with Stockport, winning promotion as champions from the National League in 2021–22 and League Two in 2023–24. He was released and joined Port Vale in June 2024.

Club career

[edit]

Preston North End

[edit]

Croasdale joined Preston North End in 2003 and captained the youth team before turning professional in May 2013, signing a one-year contract at PNE.[4] He made his first-team debut at the age of 19 in a Football League Trophy tie against Oldham Athletic at Deepdale, featuring for 45 minutes in a 2–0 defeat on 8 October.[5] A month later, he joined Conference Premier side Tamworth on an emergency one-month loan deal.[6] Croasdale only featured in two league games at The Lamb Ground, against Alfreton Town[7] and Grimsby Town[8] before returning to Preston at the end of the month. In February 2014, Croasdale made the switch to Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2013–14 campaign.[9] Celtic manager Keith Briggs was a former teammate of Preston manager Simon Grayson.[10] Croasdale scored once during his loan spell, in Stalybridge's 3–1 away victory over Vauxhall Motors.[11] Following the conclusion of the 2013–14 campaign, Croasdale was among six players released by Preston.[12] Grayson challenged the released players to go away and prove themselves elsewhere.[13]

Sheffield Wednesday

[edit]

On 9 June 2014, following his release from Preston, Croasdale joined Sheffield Wednesday on a one-year contract.[14][15] However, Croasdale failed to make an impact and was released two years later in June 2016.[16] Croasdale went on to have an unsuccessful trial at Morecambe.[17]

Kidderminster Harriers

[edit]

On 19 August 2016, Croasdale opted to join National League North side Kidderminster Harriers on a non-contract basis following a successful trial game.[18][19] A day later, he made his debut at Aggborough against his former club, Stalybridge Celtic, in which he featured for twenty minutes in a 2–1 victory.[20] On 29 October, Croasdale scored his first goal for the Harriers in a 1–0 away victory over Stockport County, netting the only goal of the game in the 65th minute.[21] Following an impressive first few months at Kidderminster, Croasdale was rewarded with a long-term contract.[22] On 4 May 2017, Croasdale received his first call-up for the England C squad by manager Paul Fairclough for their fixtures against Panjab and Jersey.[23]

After a 2016–17 season, in which Kidderminster reached the play-offs, Croasdale was appointed as club captain.[24] Manager John Eustace said that "he is the glue that keeps everybody together".[25] He went on to captain England C to a 3–2 victory over Wales C in March 2018.[26] He was named on the 2017–18 National League North Team of the Year after being described as a "standout performer" and "as dependable as they come at this level" with seven goals and eight assists.[27][28] Kidderminster qualified for the play-offs at the end of the 2017–18 campaign, though were beaten by Bradford (Park Avenue) at the quarter-final stage.[29]

AFC Fylde

[edit]

On 22 June 2018, Croasdale joined National League side AFC Fylde on a three-year deal for a club record fee of £50,000 after handing in a transfer request at Kidderminster.[30][31] The transfer deal included "potential future payments and a substantial sell-on" and Kidderminster chairman Colin Gordon said "ultimately as a young man with a young family we have a duty to support him in his wishes and this is something he has specifically requested".[32] Croasdale again captained England C in October, this time in a 1–0 win over Estonia U23.[33] He scored in a 3–2 win over Stockport County in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.[34] He scored in a 3–1 win over Harrogate Town at Mill Farm in the play-off quarter-finals.[35] Following victory over Solihull Moors in the semi-finals, Croasdale played in the 2019 National League play-off final defeat to Salford City at Wembley Stadium.[36] Eight days later, on 19 May, Fylde returned to Wembley for the 2019 FA Trophy final, a 1–0 win over Leyton Orient.[37] He scored five goals in 54 games throughout the 2018–19 campaign.[38]

In January 2020, Croasdale credited his upturn in form to the new manager, Jim Bentley, who permitted him to advance and make runs into the opposition penalty area.[39] He ended the 2019–20 season with seven goals in 43 appearances as the club were relegated following a second-from-bottom finish.[38][40] Croasdale left AFC Fylde after refusing to agree to a pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and was branded by the club as "the unacceptable face of football" as they stated he had exploited the situation to "engineer a move away".[41] However, The Football Association ruled in the player's favour.[2]

Stockport County

[edit]

In September 2020, Croasdale joined Stockport County on a free transfer after an acrimonious departure from Fylde.[42] Manager Jim Gannon described him as a "vital" signing who possessed great athleticism, character and professionalism.[43][44] Croasdale played 41 games as Stockport finished third in the National League at the end of the 2020–21 campaign.[38][45] County qualified for the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten 1–0 by Hartlepool United.[46] He formed a "formidable midfield three" alongside Will Collar and Antoni Sarcevic under new manager Dave Challinor, who had previously coached him at AFC Fylde.[47] He played all 44 of Stockport's league games throughout the 2021–22 season as the club won a place in the English Football League (EFL) as National League champions.[48] After securing promotion, he signed a new contract to extend his stay at the club until 2024.[47]

He started 39 league matches in the 2022–23 campaign as Stockport secured a play-off place with a fourth-place finish.[49] Stockport defeated Salford City in the semi-finals of the League Two play-offs despite Croasdale missing his penalty kick in the shoot-out at Edgeley Park.[50] He played against Carlisle United in the play-off final, which ended in a 1–1 draw, and he did not participate in the shoot-out as Stockport fell to a 5–4 defeat.[51] He made 27 league starts as part of 38 appearances in the 2023–24 season as Stockport won promotion to League One as champions of League Two.[49] However, he was one of seven players released upon the expiry of their contracts.[52] He later admitted to feeling "low" due to his reduced time on the pitch, which was in part due to a hernia operation he underwent in February.[18] He captained the club 17 times in the absence of Paddy Madden as part of his 184 club appearances in four years.[48]

Port Vale

[edit]

On 17 June 2024, Croasdale agreed on a two-year deal with the recently relegated League Two side Port Vale, becoming manager Darren Moore's second signing of the summer.[53] He was voted as the Valiants Player of the Month for August.[54] He then lost his place due to illness, though was returned to the side against Notts County at the start of October and impressed in the absence of George Byers.[55]

Style of play

[edit]

Croasdale is a hard-working central midfielder who breaks up opposition play and passes the ball on to more technically gifted teammates.[49] He has also played on the right side of midfield and at right-back.[49]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 9 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Preston North End 2013–14[56] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Tamworth (loan) 2013–14[57] Conference Premier 2 0 0 0 — 1[b] 0 3 0
Stalybridge Celtic (loan) 2013–14[38] Conference North 14 1 0 0 — 0 0 14 1
Kidderminster Harriers 2016–17[57] National League North 37 4 1 0 — 6[c] 0 44 4
2017–18[57] National League North 38 7 2 0 — 5[d] 0 45 7
Total 75 11 3 0 — 11 0 89 11
AFC Fylde 2018–19[38] National League 44 3 1 0 — 9[e] 2 54 5
2019–20[38] National League 36 6 4 1 — 3[f] 0 43 7
Total 80 9 5 1 0 0 12 2 97 12
Stockport County 2020–21[38] National League 34 1 4 0 — 3[g] 0 41 1
2021–22[38] National League 44 3 4 1 — 2[f] 1 50 5
2022–23[58] League Two 44 1 3 0 2 0 6[h] 0 55 1
2023–24[59] League Two 36 2 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 38 2
Total 158 7 12 1 2 0 12 1 184 9
Port Vale 2024–25[60] League Two 14 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 2
Career total 343 30 20 2 3 0 37 3 403 35
  1. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy / EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Birmingham Senior Cup
  3. ^ One appearances in FA Trophy, two in National League North play-offs; three appearances in unspecified cup competitions
  4. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, one in National League North play-offs; one appearance in unspecified cup competitions
  5. ^ Three appearances in the National League play-offs and one goal, six appearances and one goal in the FA Trophy
  6. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  7. ^ Two appearances in the FA Trophy and one appearance in the play-offs
  8. ^ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy and three appearances in the play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Individual

AFC Fylde

Stockport County

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Ryan Croasdale". Harriers Online. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Ryan Croasdale - stats, career and market value". FotMob. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  4. ^ Wheeler, Oliver (15 May 2013). "Croasdale Targets First Team Place". Preston North End F.C. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Preston North End vs. Oldham Athletic". Soccerway. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Ryan Croasdale: Tamworth sign Preston midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Tamworth vs. Alfreton Town". Soccerway. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Tamworth vs. Grimsby Town". Soccerway. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Player Profile Ryan Croasdale". Stalybridge Celtic Official Site. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Preston Duo Join Celtic". Preston North End F.C. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Vauxhall Motors vs. Stalybridge Celtic". Soccerway. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Preston North End: Ex-captain John Mousinho among six let go". BBC Sport. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  13. ^ Brand, Elaine (1 May 2013). "Grayson Challenges Released PNE Players to 'Prove Him Wrong'". League Football Education (LFE). Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Transfer news: Sheffield Wednesday sign Ryan Croasdale from Preston". Sky Sports. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Ryan Croasdale joins Sheffield Wednesday". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Owls reveal player list". Sheffield Wednesday Official Site. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Lancaster's former Preston youngster Ryan Croasdale captains England C". Lancashire Post. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b Baggaley, Mike (14 July 2024). "Striving for success at Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Croasdale Joins Harriers". Pitchero Non-League. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers vs. Stalybridge Celtic". Soccerway. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Stockport County vs. Kidderminster Harriers". Soccerway. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Ryan Croasdale". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Carline Delight At England C Call-Up". Pitchero Non-League. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  24. ^ Paddock, Matty (4 August 2017). "Ryan Croasdale named Kidderminster Harriers captain". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  25. ^ Paddock, Matty (4 August 2017). "Ryan Croasdale named Kidderminster Harriers captain". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  26. ^ Paddock, Matty (22 March 2018). "Boss proud as Croasdale skipper's England". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  27. ^ a b Elliott, Sam (11 May 2018). "National League North Team Of The Season - The Vanarama National League". thenationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  28. ^ Thompson, Luke (11 May 2018). "Team of the Season announced". Official Website of the Harriers - Kidderminster Harriers FC. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  29. ^ Banner, David (3 May 2018). "Kidderminster Harriers suffer play-off agony". Express and Star. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Coasters Smash Transfer Record!". AFC Fylde. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  31. ^ Maher, Matt (22 June 2018). "Skipper Ryan Croasdale leaves Kidderminster Harriers in £50,000 deal". Express and Star. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Harriers sell captain to Fylde after transfer request". Worcester News. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Lancaster's former Preston North End youngster Ryan Croasdale captains England C to victory". Lancashire Post. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Stockport County vs AFC Fylde". AFC Fylde. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Highlights: AFC Flyde Vs Harrogate Town". thenationalleague.org.uk. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  36. ^ Rindl, Josef (11 May 2019). "Salford City beat AFC Fylde in National League promotion final at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  37. ^ Stevens, Rob (19 May 2019). "FA Trophy final: AFC Fylde 1-0 Leyton Orient - Danny Rowe gives Coasters victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h Ryan Croasdale at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  39. ^ "AFC Fylde's Ryan Croasdale is happy to play on the front foot". The Gazette. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  40. ^ "AFC Fylde | League Table | Vanarama National League | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  41. ^ Rogers, Paul (25 September 2020). "Bulls News: AFC Fylde label departing player 'the unacceptable face of football'". Bulls News. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  42. ^ "Croasdale Signs For County". Stockport County. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  43. ^ "Ryan 'Vital' For Jim". The Non-League Paper. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  44. ^ "Ryan Croasdale signs for County". Stockport County. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Stockport County | League Table | Vanarama National League | 2020-2021 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  46. ^ "Stockport County 0-1 Hartlepool United: Rhys Oates strike sends Pools into National League play-off final". BBC Sport. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Croasdale pens new contract". Stockport County. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  48. ^ a b King, Oliver (10 May 2024). "Stockport County midfielder could be answer to John Bostock's Notts County departure". FootballLeagueWorld. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  49. ^ a b c d Baggaley, Mike (17 June 2024). "Vale invest in winning mentality". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  50. ^ Woodcock, Ian (19 May 2023). "Relive League Two play-off semis as Carlisle & Stockport go through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  51. ^ Newsum, Matt (27 May 2023). "Carlisle United 1-1 Stockport County (5-4 pens): Carlisle promoted to League One". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  52. ^ "Club announce Retained and Released list for 24/25". Stockport County. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  53. ^ "Ryan Croasdale is a Valiant". Port Vale F.C. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  54. ^ Baggaley, Mike (23 September 2024). "Learning on the League Two journey". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  55. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 October 2024). "Heady days for the Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  56. ^ "Games played by Ryan Croasdale in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  57. ^ a b c "Ryan Croasdale | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  58. ^ "Games played by Ryan Croasdale in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  59. ^ "Games played by Ryan Croasdale in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  60. ^ "Games played by Ryan Croasdale in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  61. ^ Stevens, Rob (19 May 2019). "AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  62. ^ "National League: 2021/22: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
    "Stockport: Squad details: 2021/22". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  63. ^ "Join us in League One next season". Stockport County. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
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