Tom Craddock
Thomas Craddock (born 14 October 1986) is a retired English professional footballer who played for multiple clubs including Spennymoor Town, Middlesbrough, and Portsmouth as a striker.
| Craddock playing for Oxford United in 2010 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Craddock[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 14 October 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Darlington, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | retired | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2005 | Middlesbrough | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2009 | Middlesbrough | 4 | (0) |
| 2006 | → Wrexham (loan) | 1 | (1) |
| 2008 | → Hartlepool United (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | → Luton Town (loan) | 8 | (4) |
| 2009–2010 | Luton Town | 67 | (31) |
| 2010–2013 | Oxford United | 80 | (25) |
| 2013–2015 | Portsmouth | 8 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | Guiseley | 31 | (2) |
| 2016–2017 | Spennymoor Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:39, 5 October 2016 (UTC) | |||
Career
Middlesbrough
Born in Darlington, County Durham,[2] Craddock came through the youth system at Middlesbrough since joining the academy from Darlington Spraire Lads when he was eleven years old,[3] and was a member of their FA Youth Cup winning side in 2003–04.[4] While at the academy, Craddock suffered a serious shoulder injury, but managed to overcome the injury[3] and started out as attacker role and then switched to defense role before reverting to attacker role.[5] On 12 March 2005, Craddock signed his first professional contract with the club.[6]
He made his first team debut for the club as a substitute in the final game of the 2005–06 season against Fulham, having already scored 20 goals for the reserve team.[7] On 16 June 2006, Craddock signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2008.[8]
He joined Wrexham on a month's loan from 25 October 2006.[9] He scored the winning goal on his debut for the team; however, the next day it was discovered he had suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for six weeks.[10] After being sidelined for weeks, Craddock scored on his return for the club's reserve match against Leeds United Reserve on 29 November 2006.[11]
In the 2007–08 season, Craddock made a handful of first team appearance at Middlesbrough following a crisis of striker's injury[12] and made two more league appearances for the club. However, Craddock suffered a hernia injury that resulted him having two operation and upon return, his first team opportunities was further limited.[13] On 13 February 2008, Craddock joined League One side Hartlepool United on a month's loan.[14] Craddock made his Hartlepool United debut three days later, where he played 26 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Cheltenham Town.[15] After making four appearances, Craddock's loan spell with the club came to an end on 18 March 2008 following a one-month loan.[16]
Ahead of the 2008–09 season, he signed a one-year contract extension with Middlesbrough in July 2008.[17]
Luton Town
On 17 October 2008, Craddock was sent on a one-month loan to Luton Town.[18] This loan was extended in November after Craddock scored three goals in four games,[19] then extended for a further month following more impressive performances, despite injury.[20] Craddock's loan period came to an end in mid-January and Luton sought his services once more, this time lodging a bid of £80,000, which Middlesbrough accepted. On 30 January 2009, Craddock signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Luton Town.[21]
He scored 12 goals in 30 games for Luton in the 2008–09 season, including a goal in the Hatters' Football League Trophy victory at Wembley Stadium.[22] However, a 30-point deduction imposed upon the club at the start of the season led to Luton's eventual relegation from the Football League, despite Craddock scoring 10 league goals.
In the 2009–10 season, Craddock was linked with a move away from the club to a newly promoted side Leicester City.[23] However, the move never materialised and Craddock stayed at the club, where he finished the season as Luton's top scorer with 24 goals, also finishing as third top scorer in the Conference Premier. On 13 April 2010, Craddock scored a hat-trick (which was also his first professional career) in a 6–3 win over Histon.[24] In addition to his performance, In June 2010, Craddock, along with Claude Gnakpa, were named in the Conference Premier team of the season.[25]
The 2010–11 season saw Craddock scored two goals in four appearances against Fleetwood Town[26] and Tamworth.[27]
Oxford United
On 31 August 2010, the day of the transfer deadline, Craddock signed for League Two side Oxford United for a fee of £50,000, signing a three-year contract.[28][29] Upon joining the club, Craddock was given number 29 shirt and revealed how the completed move to Oxford United was almost stalled and the paperwork was filed in time.[30]
After making his Oxford United debut against Morecambe on 4 September 2010,[31] Craddock scored his first Oxford United goal in the next game on 11 September 2010, in a 2–0 win over Hereford United.[32] Throughout January, Craddock scored five goals in six league matches against Torquay United,[33] Aldershot Town,[34] Bradford City,[35] Northampton Town[36] and Cheltenham Town.[37] As a result, Craddock's form earned him a nomination for npower League Two Player of the Month award for January, but lost out to Gillingham's Cody McDonald.[38] In his first season in the football league at Oxford, Craddock was the club's second top scorer with 15 goals,[39] including two against Port Vale, the winner being in the 94th minute.[40]
Before the start of the following season, Craddock sustained a knee injury in the first pre-season game against Didcot Town and was ruled out till November.[41] His first game back was as a substitute in a Football League Trophy fixture against Southend United, in which he was sent off seven minutes after coming on.[42] On his return from suspension and injury in December, Craddock scored the first in a 2–0 win over Northampton Town,[43] only to be ruled out through injury again three games later.[44] He did not play again till the final day of the 2011–12 season at Port Vale.[45]
In the 2012–13 season, Craddock started the season well when he scored twice on 21 August 2012, in a 2–0 win over Southend United.[46] Then on 20 October 2012, he scored four goals in a 5–0 victory over Accrington Stanley.[47] After scoring three more goals, including a brace against Dagenham & Redbridge on 6 November 2012,[48] Craddock was once again nominated for the npower League Two Player of the Month award for January,[49] but lost out to Ashley Vincent.[50] However, Craddock's first team opportunities was soon limited, due to injuries.[51][52] Despite this, Craddock finished the 2012–13 season as the league top-scorer, alongside Alfie Potter with ten goals.
At the end of the 2012–13 season, Craddock was among twelve players to be released by the club.[53] During his time at Oxford United, Craddock formed a partnership with James Constable.[54]
Portsmouth
On 13 May 2013, Craddock signed a two-year deal for Portsmouth after being released by Oxford.[55] Upon joining the club, Craddock was given number 10 shirt for the new season after Yassin Moutaouakil switched to number two shirt.[56]
Craddock made his Portsmouth debut, in the opening game of the season, where he played 21 minutes, in a 4–1 home defeat to his former club, Oxford United on 3 August 2013.[57] In the first round of the Johnstone Trophy, Craddock converted the first penalty in the shoot-out, in a 5–3 win over Torquay United after the game went throughout 120 minutes, in a 0–0 draw.[58] It took until 23 November 2013 for Craddock to score his first Portsmouth goal, in a 2–1 loss against Scunthorpe United.[59] However, Craddock struggled in the first team at Portsmouth, due to injury[60] and loss of form that led to being on the substitution bench.[61] In late-November, Craddock suffered a knee injury during the match against Southend United, which is considered as serious.[62]
After being ruled out of the season, Craddock said he's expected to return to training in the pre-season.[63] However, his plan was back-fired, as his recovery was delayed, which ruled him out for the start of the season and eventually throughout 2014.[64][65] After delays of returning to the pitch,[66] Craddock made his return in the pitch for the first time in two years in a reserve match against Fulham U21, which saw them lost 3–1.[67] After being planned out to be loaned out to as "the best way forward for him",[68] this plan was backfired, however, due to another knee injury that kept him out for three weeks.[69]
At the end of the 2014–15 season, Craddock was released on 18 May 2015 after an injury hit spell.[70] Though he was released by the club, Craddock remained at the club as a trialist, in hopes of earning a contract when he appeared in the club's reserve match.[71] However, Craddock opted to leave the club, due to his judgement call.[72]
Later career
After going on a trial at Cambridge United,[73] Craddock joined Non-League side Guiseley on 27 July 2015.[74] Craddock made his Guiseley debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 loss against Welling United.[75] Craddock then scored his first Guiseley goal, in a 4–4 draw against Woking on 12 September 2015[76] His second goal then came on 26 September 2015, in a 1–0 win over Braintree Town.[77] Despite suffering from fitness concern,[78] Craddock finished the 2015–16 season, making 31 league appearances and scoring two times.[79]
On 8 June 2016, Craddock joined Spennymoor Town, scoring 4 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions during the 2016–17 season. He retired on 1 January 2017.[80]
Tom is now a Teacher of PE at Carmel College, Darlington; which he formerly attended as a student.
Career statistics
- As of 1 July 2016[81]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough | 2005–06 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Wrexham (loan) | 2006–07 | League Two | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Hartlepool United (loan) | 2007–08 | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Luton Town | 2008–09[a] | League Two | 27 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[b] | 2 | 30 | 12 | |
| 2009–10[82][83][84] | Conference Premier | 44 | 23 | 5 | 1 | — | 3[c] | 0 | 52 | 24 | ||
| 2010–11 | Conference Premier | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 75 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 86 | 38 | ||
| Oxford United | 2010–11 | League Two | 39 | 14 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 40 | 14 | |
| 2011–12 | League Two | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2012–13 | League Two | 32 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 2 | 38 | 12 | |
| Total | 80 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 88 | 27 | ||
| Portsmouth | 2013–14 | League Two | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| 2014–15 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||
| Guiseley | 2015–16[79] | National League | 31 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[d] | 1 | 36 | 3 | |
| Career total | 203 | 64 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 231 | 70 | ||
- ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Middlesbrough
- ^ a b c d Appearances in the Football League Trophy
- ^ One appearance in the FA Trophy and two in the Conference Premier play-offs
- ^ Two appearances and one goal in the FA Trophy, one appearance in the West Riding County Cup
Honours
Middlesbrough
Luton Town
References
- ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream. p. 93. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
- ^ "Tom Craddock Profile". Portsmouth FC. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ a b . Middlesbrough F.C. 4 December 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Cup of cheer for kids' squad". Gazette Live. 22 April 2004. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Thumbs up for Tom's role change". Gazette Live. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Starlets sign on". Gazette Live. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Match Report: Fulham 1 - 0 Middlesbrough". Middlesbrough F.C. 7 May 2006. from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Tom Signs New Deal". Middlesbrough F.C. 16 June 2006. from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Boro striker light". Gazette Live. 1 October 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Loan star Craddock to make Pools bow". Gazette Live. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Striker Back at Boro". Middlesbrough F.C. 18 March 2008. from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Tom Craddock's Oxford United move was close to wire". BBC Sport. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Oxford United 4 Morecambe 0 (04/09)". Oxford Mail. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Wilder and Craddock miss out on awards". Oxford Mail. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Portsmouth 1 - 2 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
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- ^ "Pompey striker in new injury scare". Portsmouth News. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Craddock pencilled-in for pre-season start". Portsmouth News. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Hitman's injury battle goes on". Portsmouth News. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Not-so-forgotten men fighting for futures". Portsmouth News. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Posh delay Craddock Pompey comeback". Portsmouth News. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Craddock makes Pompey goal-scoring return". Portsmouth News. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Awford plans striker talks". Portsmouth News. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Boss to assess injury to defender ahead of Cobblers trip". Portsmouth News. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Pompey Release Eight Players". Portmsouth FC. 18 May 2015. from the original on 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Tom Craddock makes surprise Pompey return". Portsmouth News. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Tom Craddock explains his Pompey trial exit". Portsmouth News. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Four-goal Craddock departs Pompey for Cambridge chance". Portsmouth News. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Tom Craddock: Guiseley sign former Portsmouth striker". BBC Sport. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Bower frustrated by Guiseley missed chances in opening defeat". Wharfdale Observer. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Guiseley 4 - 4 Woking". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Braintree Town 0 - 1 Guiseley". BBC Sport. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Fit-to-play trio is a big boost for Guiseley boss". Yorkshire Evening Post. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ a b "2015-16 Appearances & Goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ . 6 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ Tom Craddock at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Tom Craddock | Football Stats | Spennymoor Town | Season 2009/2010 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "Cambridge United vs Luton Town 2009/2010 | Hatters Heritage". hattersheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "Altrincham 0-1 Luton". 17 October 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
External links
- Tom Craddock profile at the Luton Town website
- Tom Craddock at Soccerbase