Ian Craney

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.

Playing career

Early career

After starting his career as a junior at Everton,[citation needed] he got his first break in senior football at Northern Premier League side Altrincham, where he made his first-team debut in September 2000. During his time at Altrincham, he scored 40 goals in 214 matches, and won the club's Player of the Season award for both the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons.

Accrington Stanley

He joined Accrington Stanley in June 2004 on a two year-deal with an option for a further year. The transfer fee was £15,000, plus a further £2,500 after twenty appearances and a 50% sell-on clause. He was part of the Stanley team which won the Conference National title in 2005–06, gaining promotion to the Football League.

Whilst at Accrington, he played for the England National Game XI.

Swansea City

On 23 November 2006, Craney joined Swansea City on loan until the end of December "with a view to a permanent move". After 8 appearances on loan at Swansea, he joined the club permanently on 9 January 2007 for a fee of £150,000, and signed a two-and-a-half year contract. He played 31 times in total for the club.

Return to Accrington Stanley

Craney returned to Accrington Stanley on a three-month loan on 25 September 2007, though game time was limited by a hamstring injury and he was recalled by Swansea on 1 November, having made just 3 appearances. However he returned on loan to Accrington two days later, and re-signed for Accrington permanently on 4 January 2008, for a club record £85,000 fee, agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal. He scored 8 times in 34 matches in total for Accrington across the 2007–08 season.

He scored twice in 3 appearances at the start of the 2008–09 season, prior to leaving the club.

Huddersfield Town

Fellow League Two side Morecambe saw two bids rejected for the midfielder in July 2008,[citation needed] and Craney instead joined Huddersfield Town on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 19 August 2008. He took up the vacant number 5 shirt following the sale of David Mirfin to Scunthorpe United.[citation needed] He made his Town debut in their 3–1 defeat by Milton Keynes Dons at the Kirklees Stadium on 23 August 2008.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed] He suffered an ankle injury in November 2009, and failed to play again for Morecambe. He returned to Huddersfield in April 2010 and his contract with Huddersfield was terminated on 21 April.

Fleetwood and third spell at Acctington Stanley

He joined Fleetwood Town of the Conference Premier for the 2010–11 season, but 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.[citation needed] On 31 January he rejoined Stanley on a permanent basis for a third time, signing an 18-month contract. He broke his leg in training in October 2011, but returned to training in December 2011. He left Accrington at the end of the 2011–12 season after failing to agree a new contract, and in July 2012 he began training with Grimsby Town.[citation needed]

Later career

In August 2012 he joined Rochdale on non-contract terms along with Ray Putterill, but the pair were released in January 2013. He then joined AFC Telford United in February 2013 for the rest of the season, becoming the first signing under new manager Mark Cooper. On 2 May 2013 he was released by the club.

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

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

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.

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

Career statistics

Honours

Accrington Stanley

• Conference National: 2005–06
• Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy: 2004–05

Individual

• Northern Premier League Premier Division Player of the Season: 2002–03
• Conference National Player of the Season: 2005–06
• Altrincham Player of the Season: 2002–03, 2003–04
• Accrington Stanley Player of the Season: 2005–06

External links

• at Soccerbase
• at Soccerbase