Craig Armstrong (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Steven Craig Armstrong,(born 23 May 1975) is an English
professional footballer who is currently player-coach at Hucknall Town
and is formerly the joint manager of Eastwood Town
. He has previously played for Nottingham Forest
, Burnley
, Bristol Rovers
, Gillingham
, Watford
, Huddersfield Town
, Sheffield Wednesday
, Grimsby Town
, Bradford City
, Cheltenham Town
, Burton Albion
, Kidderminster Harriers
, Mansfield Town
and Forest Green Rovers
.
, Armstrong started his career at Nottingham Forest
in graduating from their youth system in 1992. Lack of first team action meant in December 1994 he moved on loan to Burnley
, for whom he played four times. In January 1996, he joined Bristol Rovers
on another loan deal, again making four appearances. However, he was recalled a month later to play a further nine matches at Twerton Park
. In October 1996, Armstong was loaned to Gillingham
for whom he played 13 matches as a defensive midfielder. In January 1997, he was loaned to Watford
for a month, but his loan deal was cut short through injury. However, he was recalled for a further month in March 1997, with a view to a transfer. However, no move came to fruition. Armstrong scored twice during his spell at Forest with both goals coming in the League Cup in games against Walsall and Cambridge United.
agreed a £750,000 transfer. He played 112 matches at Huddersfield and in 2001 he won the Hargreaves Memorial Trophy (Huddersfield Player of The Year Award).
club Sheffield Wednesday
for £100,000. He played 29 times (scoring once against Rotherham United) before moving on loan to Grimsby Town
in a bid to regain match fitness after suffering an injury. During his spell at Grimsby he scored once against Barnsley. When his contract expired at Sheffield Wednesday, Armstrong found himself without a club.
, where he played only seven games.
, for whom he played 76 times, helping the club gain promotion against former club Grimsby. Although he arrived at the club as a midfielder, he made the majority of his appearances at left-back due to Jamie Victory
's long-term injury problems. He also operated effectively in the centre of midfield on occasions and was comfortable at centre half. Armstrong's Cheltenham contract ran out at end of the 2006–07 season.
on loan until January 2009. He scored his first goal on his full debut in a 2–0 win against Eastbourne Borough
. Following his return from Burton, Armstrong and Cheltenham parted company by mutual consent.
and remained with the club until the end of the 2008/2009 season.
for the 2009/10 season. He was loaned out to fellow Conference side Forest Green Rovers
in February 2010. Armstrong made his Forest Green debut on the 6 March 2010 in a 2-1 home victory over York City
. Armstrong went on to make 13 appearances for Forest Green but was unable to help his loan club avoid relegation. Forest Green were however later reprieved and returned to the Conference.
was appointed as assistant manager at the club.
Armstrong revealed on his Twitter
page following Forest Green Rovers final home league game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Wimbledon, that he would not be offered a new contract with the club at the end of the season. He was released following Rovers final day loss against Tamworth
.
in a league game on 8 October 2011 and also featured against Histon
and Workington in his month with the Pilgrims.
as a player-coach, linking up with manager Des Lyttle
.
alongside Jamie Brough. The season started well with victories against solihull and Gloucester City. However defeats against corby and stayleybridge caused friction and after just eight games in charge Armstrong quit as Eastwood boss in September 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who is currently player-coach at Hucknall Town
Hucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
and is formerly the joint manager of Eastwood Town
Eastwood Town F.C.
Eastwood Town F.C. is a football club from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire formed in 1953, currently playing in the Conference North.-History:Although there was a football club named Eastwood Town operating in the Nottinghamshire Alliance in 1921, its was only in existence for two years. It was not until...
. He has previously played for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
, Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
and Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
.
Nottingham Forest
Born in South ShieldsSouth Shields
South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, Armstrong started his career at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in graduating from their youth system in 1992. Lack of first team action meant in December 1994 he moved on loan to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, for whom he played four times. In January 1996, he joined Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on another loan deal, again making four appearances. However, he was recalled a month later to play a further nine matches at Twerton Park
Twerton Park
Twerton Park is a multi-purpose stadium in the Twerton suburb of Bath, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Bath City. From 1986 to 1996 Bristol Rovers played there due to financial problems...
. In October 1996, Armstong was loaned to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
for whom he played 13 matches as a defensive midfielder. In January 1997, he was loaned to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
for a month, but his loan deal was cut short through injury. However, he was recalled for a further month in March 1997, with a view to a transfer. However, no move came to fruition. Armstrong scored twice during his spell at Forest with both goals coming in the League Cup in games against Walsall and Cambridge United.
Huddersfield Town
Armstrong left Forest in 1999 when Huddersfield TownHuddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
agreed a £750,000 transfer. He played 112 matches at Huddersfield and in 2001 he won the Hargreaves Memorial Trophy (Huddersfield Player of The Year Award).
Sheffield Wednesday
He then left Huddersfield, moving to First DivisionFootball League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
club Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
for £100,000. He played 29 times (scoring once against Rotherham United) before moving on loan to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in a bid to regain match fitness after suffering an injury. During his spell at Grimsby he scored once against Barnsley. When his contract expired at Sheffield Wednesday, Armstrong found himself without a club.
Bradford City
A year later when he signed a short term contract at Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, where he played only seven games.
Cheltenham Town
In July 2005, he signed for Cheltenham TownCheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, for whom he played 76 times, helping the club gain promotion against former club Grimsby. Although he arrived at the club as a midfielder, he made the majority of his appearances at left-back due to Jamie Victory
Jamie Victory
Jamie Charles Victory is a former English footballer. He played as a defender and was last attached to Cheltenham Town, where he wore the number three shirt and usually acted as a left full back. He was born in Hackney.-Career:...
's long-term injury problems. He also operated effectively in the centre of midfield on occasions and was comfortable at centre half. Armstrong's Cheltenham contract ran out at end of the 2006–07 season.
Gillingham
In June 2007 he rejoined Gillingham on a two-year contract. He made his debut on the first day of the season against Cheltenham, but Gillingham lost 1–0. He scored his first and what turned out to be only goal for Gillingham against Dagenham & Redbridge in the Football League Trophy on 13 November 2007. On 31 January 2008, he was released from his contract.Cheltenham Town (second spell)
On 4 February 2008 he rejoined Cheltenham Town until the end of the season. In November 2008, Armstrong joined Burton AlbionBurton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
on loan until January 2009. He scored his first goal on his full debut in a 2–0 win against Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
. Following his return from Burton, Armstrong and Cheltenham parted company by mutual consent.
Kidderminster Harriers
Later the same month, he signed with Conference side, Kidderminster HarriersKidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
and remained with the club until the end of the 2008/2009 season.
Mansfield Town
Armstrong signed for Mansfield TownMansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
for the 2009/10 season. He was loaned out to fellow Conference side Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
in February 2010. Armstrong made his Forest Green debut on the 6 March 2010 in a 2-1 home victory over York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
. Armstrong went on to make 13 appearances for Forest Green but was unable to help his loan club avoid relegation. Forest Green were however later reprieved and returned to the Conference.
Forest Green Rovers
In June 2010 Armstrong signed for Forest Green permanently following his release by Mansfield. As well as signing as a player Armstrong spent the first few months undertaking a coaching role. However he reverted back to being a player when Gary SewardGary Seward
Gary Seward is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a forward for Blackpool.- Playing career :...
was appointed as assistant manager at the club.
Armstrong revealed on his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
page following Forest Green Rovers final home league game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Wimbledon, that he would not be offered a new contract with the club at the end of the season. He was released following Rovers final day loss against Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
.
Boston United
In September 2011 Armstrong returned to a playing career with Conference North side Boston United. Armstrong made his debut against AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
in a league game on 8 October 2011 and also featured against Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
and Workington in his month with the Pilgrims.
Hucknall Town
In October 2011, Armstrong signed for Hucknall TownHucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
as a player-coach, linking up with manager Des Lyttle
Des Lyttle
Desmond "Des" Lyttle is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of Northern Premier League Division One South side Hucknall Town....
.
Eastwood Town
Having learnt from some of the best managers in the business On 26 May 2011, Armstrong was appointed as joint manager of Eastwood TownEastwood Town F.C.
Eastwood Town F.C. is a football club from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire formed in 1953, currently playing in the Conference North.-History:Although there was a football club named Eastwood Town operating in the Nottinghamshire Alliance in 1921, its was only in existence for two years. It was not until...
alongside Jamie Brough. The season started well with victories against solihull and Gloucester City. However defeats against corby and stayleybridge caused friction and after just eight games in charge Armstrong quit as Eastwood boss in September 2011.