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Tony Craig

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Tony Craig
Craig playing for Millwall in October 2015
Personal information
Full name Tony Andrew Craig[1]
Date of birth (1985-04-20) 20 April 1985 (age 39)[2]
Place of birth Greenwich, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Central defender, left back
Team information
Current team
 Dorking Wanderers
Number 5
Youth career
0000–2003 Millwall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Millwall 79 (2)
2004–2005 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 14 (0)
2007–2008 Crystal Palace 13 (0)
2008 → Millwall (loan) 5 (1)
2008–2012 Millwall 121 (4)
2011 → Leyton Orient (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2015 Brentford 111 (0)
2015–2018 Millwall 65 (2)
2018–2020 Bristol Rovers 97 (5)
2020–2023 Crawley Town 89 (1)
2023 → Dorking Wanderers (loan) 16 (0)
2023– Dorking Wanderers 36 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:13, 11 August 2024 (UTC)

Tony Andrew Craig (born 20 April 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for National League South club Dorking Wanderers.

Craig began his career at Millwall and made over 320 appearances across four spells with the club. Craig also played League football for Brentford, Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Wycombe Wanderers and Leyton Orient. He dropped into non-League football to join Dorking Wanderers in 2023.

Playing career

[edit]

Millwall

[edit]

Craig began his career in the youth ranks at Millwall,[3] the club he supports.[4] Adept as a central defender or a left back,[3] he received his maiden call into the first team squad for a First Division league match against Bradford City on 5 April 2003 and was an unused substitute during the 1–0 win.[5] Craig made his professional debut with a starting appearance in a 3–3 draw with Nottingham Forest on 26 April 2003 and lasted 67 minutes before being substituted for Robbie Ryan.[6] He started in the final game of the 2002–03 season at home to Coventry City and scored the first senior goal of his career in the 2–0 win, with the opener on 51 minutes.[6] Craig began the 2003–04 season as a virtual ever-present, making 10 appearances, before dropping out of the matchday squad entirely in October 2003.[7]

Craig was again out of favour with manager Dennis Wise during the 2004–05 season and joined League Two club Wycombe Wanderers on a one-month loan on 22 October 2004,[8] which was later extended to 22 January 2005.[9][10] He made 18 appearances for the Chairboys.[11] Craig made 10 Millwall appearances during the second half of the 2004–05 season.[12]

Under new manager Colin Lee, Craig made sporadic appearances during the opening two months of the 2005–06 season, before cementing a regular place in the team in late 2005 under replacement manager Dave Tuttle.[13] Despite getting two red cards, Craig finished the 2005–06 season with 33 appearances,[13] but began the 2006–07 season in League One after Millwall's relegation.[14] Craig had a suspension and injury-affect first half of the 2006–07 season,[15] but was a regular pick after the New Year and finished the campaign with 32 appearances and one goal, which was scored on the final day versus Bradford City.[16] Craig departed the club in June 2007, having made 87 appearances and scored two goals in his four years as a first team player.[11]

Crystal Palace

[edit]

On 27 June 2007, Craig joined Championship club Crystal Palace on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[17] He started 13 of the Eagles' opening 14 games,[18] but a shoulder injury suffered in a 0–0 draw with Scunthorpe United on 3 November 2007 put him out of action for the next four months.[19] Upon his return to fitness, Craig returned to Millwall, still in League One, on a one-month loan on 27 March 2008.[20] He made five appearances and scored against Carlisle United in the final match of his spell, before returning to Crystal Palace on 27 April.[11][21] He departed Selhurst Park in July 2008.[22]

Return to Millwall

[edit]

Craig signed permanently for the second time with Millwall on 11 July 2008, on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[23] He made a personal-best 52 appearances during the 2008–09 season, scoring two goals and helping Millwall to a place at Wembley Stadium for the 2009 League One play-off final versus Scunthorpe United.[24] Goals from Gary Alexander put the Lions 2–1 ahead, but second-half strikes from Matt Sparrow and Martyn Woolford sent Scunthorpe to the Championship.[25]

Craig was in and out of the team during the 2009–10 season and could not hold down a regular place until December 2009.[26] In the absence of Paul Robinson, Craig took over the captaincy.[27] He made 35 appearances and scored two goals to help Millwall to the play-off final for the second season in succession.[26] Though Craig was forced off with a broken metatarsal on 44 minutes, Millwall prevailed in the 2010 League One play-off final and were promoted to League One after a 1–0 win over Swindon Town.[28]

Craig had a mixed 2010–11 season back in the Championship, having spells as a starter through the middle of the campaign and finishing with 26 appearances.[29] Craig began the 2011–12 season as a regular starter, but fell out of favour and joined League One club Leyton Orient on a one-month loan on 24 November 2011, as cover for the departed Charlie Daniels.[30] Craig made four appearances for Orient and was recalled by Millwall on 28 December,[31] but he didn't reclaim his starting position until the final month of the season.[29] Craig left The Den in July 2012,[32] having made 141 appearances and scored four goals during his third stint with the club.[11]

Brentford

[edit]

On 13 July 2012, Craig joined League One side Brentford on 13 July 2012 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[33] In Craig's first season with Brentford, he appeared in all but four of the Bees' matches and finished with 55 appearances.[34] The season ended with defeat to Yeovil Town in the 2013 League One play-off final.[35] Looking back in 2023, Craig stated that due to "how the full-back game was progressing; how there was a lot more forward play and they were better on the ball", he was eager to transition to centre back.[4] Playing in a possession-based team, he asserted that his improvement on the ball helped prolong his post-Brentford career.[4]

After missing the first match of the 2013–14 season through an ankle knock,[36] Craig was again an ever-present starter until he received a red card during a 0–0 draw with Carlisle United on 31 August 2013.[37] After serving his suspension, Craig returned to the starting lineup and despite breaking two bones in his hand during a 2–1 victory over Gillingham on 24 January 2014,[38] he saw out the match and played the subsequent matches with his hand in a cast.[39] Craig held the captaincy for much of the season (in place of the injured Kevin O'Connor) and jointly lifted the League One runners-up trophy with O'Connor after the final game of the season against Stevenage on 3 May.[40][41] He was voted the Brentford Players' Player of the Year for the 2013–14 season.[42]

Craig began the 2014–15 Championship season alongside James Tarkowski in central defence and started each of the club's first five games,[43] before receiving his first red card of the season on 23 August 2014, for bringing down former teammate Clayton Donaldson in the box after 16 minutes of a 1–1 draw with Birmingham City.[44] While suspended, Craig was replaced by Harlee Dean in the starting lineup and lost his place in the team for the first time since arriving at Griffin Park.[45] He signed a new 2+1⁄2-year contract on 11 November,[46] but again lost his starting place to Dean in January 2015 and fell out of the squad entirely when Liam Moore arrived on loan in late February.[29][47] After Moore was dropped in early March,[48] Craig returned to the bench, but did not appear again before the end of the season.[29] Craig finished the 2014–15 season with 24 appearances and departed Griffin Park on 4 July 2015,[43] when his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[49] Craig made 129 appearances during three seasons with Brentford.[11]

Fourth spell with Millwall

[edit]

On 4 July 2015, it was announced that Craig had dropped back down to League One to sign a two-year contract with newly-relegated Millwall on a free transfer.[50] He began the 2015–16 season as a regular,[51] before suffering a serious knee injury during a 0–0 draw with Bradford City on 31 October 2015.[52] He returned to fitness in April 2016 and appeared in each of the Lions' play-off matches, but was on the end of another Wembley defeat in the final versus Barnsley.[51]

Craig was awarded a testimonial versus Brentford during the 2016–17 pre-season, which finished in a 1–1 draw.[53] Craig made a career-high 57 appearances during the 2016–17 season and played in a second-successive play-off final,[54] in which he captained the Lions to promotion to the Championship with a 1–0 victory over Bradford City.[55] He made just eight appearances during the first half of the 2017–18 season,[56] before departing The Den for the final time on 31 January 2018.[57] Across his four spells with Millwall, Craig made 324 appearances and scored 9 goals.[11]

Bristol Rovers

[edit]

On 1 February 2018, Craig moved to League One club Bristol Rovers on a free transfer.[58] Over the course of the following 2+1⁄2-years, Craig was a near ever-present and made 120 appearances, scoring seven goals.[11] He was released at the end of the 2019–20 season.[59]

Crawley Town

[edit]

On 1 August 2020, Craig signed a two-year contract with League Two club Crawley Town on a free transfer.[60] He made 82 appearances and scored one goal during two mid-table seasons and signed a new two-year contract in April 2022.[61][62][63][64] Craig was again a regular during the first half of the 2022–23 season,[65] before being dropped from the matchday squad at the turn of the year.[29] After playing the remainder of the season away on loan,[66] he agreed a mutual termination of his contract June 2023.[67] During three seasons at the Broadfield Stadium, Craig made 102 appearances and scored eight goals.[11]

Dorking Wanderers

[edit]

On 13 February 2023, Craig joined National League club Dorking Wanderers on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.[66] Craig's performances during the remainder of February saw him named the club's Player of the Month.[68] He made 16 appearances during his spell and signed a two-year contract with the club on 2 June 2023.[65][69] Craig made 36 appearances and scored one goal during a 2023–24 season that culminated in relegation to the National League South.[29][70]

Coaching career

[edit]

As of March 2020, Craig was studying for his UEFA A Licence.[71] During the 2019–20 season, he assisted with the coaching of Bristol Rovers' U15 and U23 teams.[71]

Personal life

[edit]

Craig was born in Greenwich in London, but grew up in Thamesmead.[72][73] He is a Millwall supporter.[4]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 10 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Millwall 2002–03[6] First Division 2 1 0 0 0 0 — 2 1
2003–04[74] First Division 9 0 0 0 1 0 — 10 0
2004–05[12] Championship 10 0 — 0 0 — 10 0
2005–06[13] Championship 28 0 2 0 3 0 — 33 0
2006–07[16] League One 30 1 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 32 1
Total 79 2 2 0 5 0 1 0 87 2
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2004–05[12] League Two 14 0 2 0 — 2[c] 0 18 0
Crystal Palace 2007–08[75] Championship 13 0 0 0 1 0 — 14 0
Millwall (loan) 2007–08[75] League One 5 1 — — — 5 1
Millwall 2008–09[24] League One 44 2 3 0 1 0 4[d] 0 52 2
2009–10[26] League One 30 2 2 0 0 0 3[e] 0 35 2
2010–11[76] Championship 24 0 1 0 1 0 — 26 0
2011–12[77] Championship 23 0 2 0 3 0 — 28 0
Total 121 4 8 0 5 0 7 0 146 5
Leyton Orient (loan) 2011–12[77] League One 4 0 0 0 — — 4 0
Brentford 2012–13[34] League One 44 0 7 0 1 0 3[f] 0 55 0
2013–14[37] League One 44 0 4 0 1 0 1[c] 0 50 0
2014–15[43] Championship 23 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 0
Total 111 0 11 0 3 0 4 0 129 0
Millwall 2015–16[51] League One 18 1 0 0 1 0 5[g] 0 24 1
2016–17[54] League One 43 1 6 0 1 0 7[h] 0 57 1
2017–18[56] Championship 4 0 2 0 2 0 — 8 0
Total 270 9 20 0 14 0 20 0 324 9
Bristol Rovers 2017–18[56] League One 17 1 — — — 17 1
2018–19[78] League One 46 2 2 0 2 0 3[c] 1 53 3
2019–20[79] League One 34 2 6 1 1 0 4[c] 0 45 3
Total 97 5 8 1 3 0 7 1 120 7
Crawley Town 2020–21[61] League Two 38 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 42 0
2021–22[62] League Two 35 1 1 0 1 0 3[c] 0 40 1
2022–23[65] League Two 16 0 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 20 0
Total 89 1 5 0 3 0 5 0 102 8
Dorking Wanderers (loan) 2022–23[65] National League 16 0 — — — 16 0
Dorking Wanderers 2023–24[29] National League 35 1 0 0 — 1[i] 0 36 1
2024–25[29] National League South 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
Total 52 1 0 0 — 1 0 52 1
Career total 650 16 46 1 24 0 39 1 759 18
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ 3 appearances in League One play-offs, 1 appearance in EFL Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs
  6. ^ 2 appearances in League One play-offs, 1 appearance in EFL Trophy
  7. ^ 3 appearances in League One play-offs, 2 appearances in EFL Trophy
  8. ^ 4 appearances in EFL Trophy, 3 appearances in League One play-offs
  9. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Millwall

Brentford

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Crawley Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 24. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ^ a b "Tony Craig – Defender – First Team". Millwall FC. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Long, Dan. "On the Rise: Tony Craig". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Tony Craig Player Profile". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Tony Craig Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  8. ^ "More Loans". wycombewanderers.co.uk. 22 October 2004. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Craig Stays". wycombewanderers.co.uk. 11 November 2004. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Loan Signing And Possible Extension". wycombewanderers.co.uk. 15 December 2004. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Tony Craig at Soccerbase
  12. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Millwall Complete History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Craig remains an injury doubt". Millwall MAD. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  17. ^ "Eagles Net Lions Defender". cpfc.co.uk. 27 June 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Tony Craig Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Craig injury twist". Lancashire Telegraph. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  20. ^ "Tony returns". millwallfc.co.uk. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Craig returns to Eagles". Holmesdale.net. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  22. ^ "Craig Becomes A Lion". cpfc.co.uk. 11 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Millwall clinch signing of Craig". BBC Sport. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Millwall 2–3 Scunthorpe". 24 May 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  26. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  27. ^ Hall, David (15 November 2010). Thoughts of a Millwall Optimist: Five Years in the Life of a Millwall Fan. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445620466.
  28. ^ a b Fletcher, Paul (29 May 2010). "Millwall 1–0 Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h Tony Craig at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  30. ^ "O's bag Lions defender on loan". Sky Sports. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Lions recall Craig from Orient". Sky Sports. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  32. ^ "TC a Bee". millwallfc.co.uk. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Tony Craig deal complete". Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  35. ^ "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  36. ^ Johnson, Simon (6 August 2013). "Tony Craig ruled out of clash with Daggers". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  38. ^ "Brentford 2–1 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  39. ^ Street, Tim (5 February 2014). "Brentford defender in cast for another month". Get West London. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  40. ^ Amos, Stuart (23 February 2014). "Captain Craig: Hard work starts now for Brentford". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  41. ^ "'The Stuff Of Dreams' For Tony Craig". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  42. ^ a b "'The Ultimate Honour' For Tony Craig". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  43. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  44. ^ "Brentford 1–1 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  45. ^ Moore, Tom (17 July 2015). "Tony Craig on his Brentford career, Benham's 'brave' changes and fan support". MyLondon. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  46. ^ Wickham, Chris (11 November 2014). "Brentford Manager Mark Warburton hails "tremendous news" as defender Tony Craig signs new deal". Brentford F.C. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  47. ^ "Brentford sign Leicester City's England Under-21 defender Liam Moore on loan". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  48. ^ Moore, Tom (14 March 2015). "Why Leicester loanee Liam Moore didn't play for Brentford against Cardiff". Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  49. ^ "Tony Craig leaves Brentford". Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  50. ^ "Tony Craig signs two-year deal with Millwall". Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  51. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  52. ^ "Injury update on Millwall skipper Craig". Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  53. ^ "Millwall 1 Brentford 1". 30 July 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  55. ^ a b Hunt, Josh (20 May 2017). "Bradford City 0–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  56. ^ a b c "Games played by Tony Craig in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  57. ^ "Lions stalwart Craig leaves Millwall". Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  58. ^ "Rovers Sign Defender Tony Craig". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  59. ^ "Retained List Announced". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  60. ^ "Tony Craig joins Yems' Reds". crawleytownfc.com. Crawley Town F.C. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  61. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  62. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  63. ^ Crawley Town F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  64. ^ "Ten Sign New Contracts". www.crawleytownfc.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  65. ^ a b c d "Games played by Tony Craig in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  66. ^ a b "Tony Craig Joins Dorking On Loan". www.crawleytownfc.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  67. ^ "Tony Craig Departs". www.crawleytownfc.com. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  68. ^ a b @DorkingWDRS (7 March 2023). "𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 🏆 Your @Stonegate_Homes Player of the Month for February is Tony Craig. Congratulations Tony 👏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ^ "Tony Craig Joins The Wanderers". Dorking Wanderers F.C. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  70. ^ Dorking Wanderers F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  71. ^ a b Mason, Tom; Frost, Sam (2 March 2020). "Craig on Rovers future, coaching career plans and life away from family". bristolpost. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  72. ^ Liew, Jonathan (11 March 2017). "Millwall's local hero Tony Craig 'living the dream' and hoping to summon spirit of the Den". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  73. ^ Fifield, Dominic (11 March 2017). "Millwall's Tony Craig: 'All those scars show the sort of player I am'". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  74. ^ "Games played by Tony Craig in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  75. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  76. ^ "Games played by Tony Craig in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  77. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Craig in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  78. ^ "Games played by Tony Craig in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  79. ^ "Games played by Tony Craig in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  80. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2014). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 74–75. ISBN 978-1-4722-1251-1.
[edit]
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