Ian Craney

Ian Craney
Personal information
Full name Ian Thomas William Craney
Date of birth (1982-07-21) 21 July 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–2001 Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Altrincham 166 (37)
2004–2007 Accrington Stanley 94 (28)
2006–2007 → Swansea City (loan) 8 (0)
2007–2008 Swansea City 20 (0)
2007–2008 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 13 (3)
2008 Accrington Stanley 23 (6)
2008–2010 Huddersfield Town 34 (5)
2009–2010 → Morecambe (loan) 16 (2)
2010–2011 Fleetwood Town 19 (3)
2010–2011 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 3 (0)
2011–2012 Accrington Stanley 41 (8)
2012–2013 Rochdale 6 (0)
2013 AFC Telford United 11 (1)
2013–2014 Stockport County 7 (0)
2014 → Stafford Rangers (loan)
2014–15 Conwy Borough
Total 461 (93)
International career
England C
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ian Thomas William Craney (born 21 July 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was most recently a first-team coach at Ipswich Town.

He had five spells with Accrington Stanley during his career, the latest ending at the end of the 2011–12 season. He also played in the Football League with Swansea City, Huddersfield Town, Morecambe and Rochdale, as well as spells in non-League football with Altrincham and Fleetwood Town.

Club career

After starting his career as a junior at Everton, he got his first break in senior football at Northern Premier League side Altrincham. He joined Accrington Stanley in June 2004 for a fee of £15,000, plus a further £2,500 after twenty appearances and a 50% sell-on clause.[1] He was part of the Stanley team which won the Conference National title in 2005–06, gaining promotion to the Football League.[2] He signed for Swansea City on 9 January 2007 for £150,000, having been on loan since 23 November 2006.[3][4] He returned to Accrington in early 2008, after an initial loan spell.

Fellow League Two side Morecambe saw two bids rejected for the midfielder in July 2008. But just two games into the 2008-09 season, Accrington accepted an undisclosed fee from League One side Huddersfield Town for the midfielder. He took up the vacant number 5 shirt following the sale of David Mirfin to Scunthorpe United. He made his Town debut in their 3–1 defeat by Milton Keynes Dons at the Kirklees Stadium on 23 August 2008. His first goal for the Terriers was the winning goal in their 2–1 win over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road on 6 September 2008.

Whilst playing for his previous club, Accrington Stanley, he was an England National Game XI international.

On 22 July 2009, Craney joined Football League Two side Morecambe on a season-long loan along with teammate Phil Jevons. He got his first goal for the Shrimps in their 5–2 defeat by Burton Albion on 15 August 2009. Injury cut short half of Craney's season, and he returned to Huddersfield on 20 April 2010. The following day, his contract was terminated.[5]

He joined Fleetwood Town for the 2010/11 season. On 25 November 2010 he rejoined former club Accrington Stanley for a third spell, on a short-term loan deal until the start of 2011. He returned to Fleetwood Town on 7 January as the clubs failed to agree an extension to his loan deal. On 31 January he rejoined Stanley on a permanent basis, for his third full-time spell with the club. He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season and in July 2012 he began training with Grimsby Town. In August 2012 he joined Rochdale on non-contract terms along with Ray Putterill, but the pair were released in January 2013.[6][7]

He then joined AFC Telford United in February 2013 for the rest of the season, becoming the first signing under new manager Mark Cooper.[8] On 2 May 2013 he was released by the club.[9]

On 31 May 2013 he joined Stockport County on a free transfer,[10] but fell out of favour and joined Stafford Rangers for the remainder of the season on 17 January 2014.[11]

At the expiry of his Stockport contract, Craney joined Conwy Borough of the Cymru Alliance league on 7 July 2014.[12]

International career

Whilst playing for his previous club, Accrington Stanley, he was an England National Game XI international.

Coaching career

While studying for his coaching badges Craney worked as kitman of Wigan Athletic, who were managed by former Accrington Stanley teammate Paul Cook.[13]

In May 2021, Craney joined Cook's coaching staff at Ipswich Town as a first-team coach.[14] Craney left the club in December following the sacking of Cook as manager.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Altrincham 2000–01[16][17] Northern Premier League Premier Division 38 5 1 0 — 8[a] 0 47 5
2001–02[18][19][20] Northern Premier League Premier Division 44 9 6 0 — 14[b] 3 64 12
2002–03[21][22] Northern Premier League Premier Division 40 11 2 0 — 7[c] 0 49 11
2003–04[23][24] Northern Premier League Premier Division 44 12 1 0 — 9[d] 0 54 12
Total 166 37 10 0 — 38 3 214 40
Accrington Stanley 2004–05[25][26] Conference National 37 10 1 0 — 13[e] 4 51 14
2005–06[27][28][29][30][31] Conference National 39 13 2 0 — 6[f] 3 47 16
2006–07[32] League Two 18 5 1 0 2 0 2[g] 1 23 6
Total 94 28 4 0 2 0 21 8 121 36
Swansea City 2006–07[h][32] League One 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0
2007–08[33] League One 1 0 0 0 2 0 1[g] 0 4 0
Total 28 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 31 0
Accrington Stanley 2007–08[i][33] League Two 34 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 8
2008–09[34] League Two 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 2
Total 36 9 0 0 1 1 0 0 37 10
Huddersfield Town 2008–09[34] League One 34 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 35 6
2009–10[35] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 34 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 35 6
Morecambe (loan) 2009–10[35] League Two 16 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 19 2
Fleetwood Town 2010–11[36] Conference Premier 19 3 2 0 — 0 0 21 3
Accrington Stanley 2010–11[j][37][38] League Two 22 7 0 0 0 0 2[k] 0 24 7
2011–12[39] League Two 22 1 0 0 1 0 2[g] 0 25 1
Total 44 8 0 0 1 0 4 0 49 8
Rochdale 2012–13[40] League Two 6 0 1 0 1 0 1[g] 0 9 0
AFC Telford United 2012–13[36] Conference Premier 11 1 0 0 — 0 0 11 1
Stockport County 2013–14[36] Conference North 7 0 0 0 — 0 0 7 0
Career total 461 93 20 1 8 1 65 11 554 106
  1. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, four appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, one appearance in Cheshire Senior Cup
  2. ^ Five appearances one goal in FA Trophy, four appearances one goal in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, one appearance in Northern Premier League President's Cup, four appearances one goal in Cheshire Senior Cup
  3. ^ Four appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, one appearance in Northern Premier League President's Cup, one appearance in Cheshire Senior Cup
  4. ^ Five appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, one appearance in Cheshire Senior Cup
  5. ^ Two appearances one goal in Football League Trophy, two appearances in FA Trophy, four appearances in Conference League Cup, five appearances three goals in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
  6. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, five appearances three goals in FA Trophy
  7. ^ a b c d Appearances in Football League Trophy
  8. ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Accrington Stanley
  9. ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Swansea City
  10. ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Fleetwood Town
  11. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs

Honours

Accrington Stanley

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Archived News". Altrincham FC. 20 June 2004. Archived from the original on 24 February 2005.
  2. ^ a b Geldard, Suzanne (24 April 2006). "Accrington Stanley 2 Tamworth 1". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Swansea sign Accrington's Craney". BBC Sport. 23 November 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Craney completes Swansea switch". BBC Sport. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Where Are They Now? Ian Craney". Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Craney and Putterill agree terms". Rochdale AFC. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Dale cut ties with midfield duo". Sky Sports. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  8. ^ "AFC Telford get Ian Craney until the end of the season". www.shropshirestar.com. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  9. ^ "AFC Telford start revamp by releasing five players". Shropshire Star. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Two More". 31 May 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Rangers Borrow Craney". 17 January 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Conwy Borough FC announce Craney capture". 7 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Craney's 'cracker at Morecambe Bay'". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  14. ^ Pearce, Steve (14 May 2021). "Ian Craney Joins Backroom Staff". Ipswich Town FC. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  15. ^ "John Mcgreal Named Interim Manager".
  16. ^ "Altrincham Statistics 2000–01". The Alty Pages. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Altrincham Cup Appearances 2000–01". The Alty Pages. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  18. ^ "Altrincham Players' Appearances, Goals & Bookings 2001–02". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  19. ^ "Altrincham Cup Appearances 2001–02". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  20. ^ "Altrincham FC 2001 Friendlies & Cup Matches". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  21. ^ "Statistics 2002–03". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  22. ^ "Cup & Friendly Matches 2002–03". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2006.
  23. ^ "Statistics 2003–04". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007.
  24. ^ "Cup Appearances 2003–04". Altrincham FC. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010.
  25. ^ "Season 2004–05". Official Accrington Stanley Supporters' Trust. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Stanley put Lambs to the slaughter". Lancashire Telegraph. 9 February 2005. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2005–06". The Club That Wouldn't Die. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Stanley in a pickle, as saucy visitors force replay". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 October 2005. Archived from the original on 15 January 2006.
  29. ^ "Worcester 3–2 Accrington Stanley: FA Cup Replay". Accrington Observer. 27 October 2005. Archived from the original on 14 February 2006.
  30. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (19 January 2006). "Áccrington Stanley 2 Carshalton Athletic 0". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  31. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (6 February 2006). "Accrington Stanley 1 Worksop Town 1". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Ian Craney in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by Ian Craney in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Ian Craney in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Games played by Ian Craney in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  36. ^ a b c I. Craney at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Games played by Ian Craney in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  38. ^ "Games played by Ian Brady in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Games played by Ian Craney in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  40. ^ "Games played by Ian Craney in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  41. ^ "Stanley are the pride of Lancashire". Lancashire Telegraph. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Accrington Stanley Player Profiles". Accrington Stanley F.C. Archived from the original on 15 January 2006.
  43. ^ a b Geldard, Suzanne (6 June 2006). "Star Craney set to seal new deal". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  44. ^ "Craney Sweeps Board". Altrincham FC. 19 April 2003. Archived from the original on 14 September 2003.
  45. ^ "Awards". Altrincham FC. 24 April 2004. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005.