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Craig James (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Craig Peter James is an English footballer defender
who is now a free agent. He was released from Harrogate Town
in May 2011.
Starting his career with Sunderland
in 2002, he failed to make an impact and moved on to Port Vale
two years later, following loan spells at Hibernian
and Darlington
. He transferred to Darlington permanently in 2006, but was loaned out to York City
the following year, before signing with Livingston
. After a season with Livingston he joined Barrow
, without making an appearance. He returned to the game with non-league Harrogate Town in 2009, where he stayed for two years.
. He was signed by Scottish Premier League
side Hibernian
on a year-long loan in August 2002. He was forced to return to Sunderland because of a knee
injury in April 2003. He joined Darlington
on a month long loan in November 2003, which was later extended for a second month.
He was signed by Martin Foyle
's Port Vale
on a one month loan in March 2004. The next month James was signed by Vale on a two-year permanent contract; as the previous loan deal was agreed before the transfer deadline, the deal could be made permanent. He made a total of 33 appearances for the club in his first full season at the club. In his second season at Vale Park
he made a total of 42 appearances, but was released by the club at the end of his contract.
James was re-signed by Darlington in August 2006. He signed for York City
of the Conference National
on loan for the rest of the 2006–07 season in March 2007, and was an ever-present in the team's starting line-up. In May 2007 he was released by Darlington, and was not offered a contract at York.
He signed for Scottish First Division
side Livingston
on a one-year contract in August 2007, after a successful trial period with the club. He was released at the end of his contract in May 2008. He signed for Conference team Barrow
on a one-month contract in September. He had a trial with former club Darlington in July 2009, but he was not offered a contract after failing to impress.
James's next club would be Conference North
side Harrogate Town
. His debut for the Town came on 31 October 2009 against Redditch United
. His first goal for the club arrived against Gainsborough Trinity
in a 2–0 win on 13 February 2010.
James was released from Harrogate in May 2011 after his contract was not renewed for the new season.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who is now a free agent. He was released from Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
in May 2011.
Starting his career with Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in 2002, he failed to make an impact and moved on to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
two years later, following loan spells at Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. He transferred to Darlington permanently in 2006, but was loaned out to 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...
the following year, before signing with Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
. After a season with Livingston he joined Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
, without making an appearance. He returned to the game with non-league Harrogate Town in 2009, where he stayed for two years.
Playing career
James started his career with SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. He was signed by Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
on a year-long loan in August 2002. He was forced to return to Sunderland because of a knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury in April 2003. He joined Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on a month long loan in November 2003, which was later extended for a second month.
He was signed by Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
's Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
on a one month loan in March 2004. The next month James was signed by Vale on a two-year permanent contract; as the previous loan deal was agreed before the transfer deadline, the deal could be made permanent. He made a total of 33 appearances for the club in his first full season at the club. In his second season at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
he made a total of 42 appearances, but was released by the club at the end of his contract.
James was re-signed by Darlington in August 2006. He signed for 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...
of the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on loan for the rest of the 2006–07 season in March 2007, and was an ever-present in the team's starting line-up. In May 2007 he was released by Darlington, and was not offered a contract at York.
He signed for Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
on a one-year contract in August 2007, after a successful trial period with the club. He was released at the end of his contract in May 2008. He signed for Conference team Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
on a one-month contract in September. He had a trial with former club Darlington in July 2009, but he was not offered a contract after failing to impress.
James's next club would be Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
. His debut for the Town came on 31 October 2009 against Redditch United
Redditch United F.C.
Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...
. His first goal for the club arrived against Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
in a 2–0 win on 13 February 2010.
James was released from Harrogate in May 2011 after his contract was not renewed for the new season.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
2002–03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003–04 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... (loan) |
2002–03 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... (loan) |
2003–04 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
2003–04 2003–04 Port Vale F.C. season The 2003–04 season was Port Vale's ninety-second season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the Second Division. Brian Horton resigned in February, and was replaced by Martin Foyle. Vale fought for promotion, but finished outside the play-off zone on goal difference... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004–05 2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's ninety-third season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place... |
30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2005–06 2005–06 Port Vale F.C. season The 2005–06 season was Port Vale's ninety-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League One. They finished in mid-table, and exited the League Cup at the First Round and the League Trophy at the Second Round. In the FA Cup, Vale made it to the Fourth... |
35 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 73 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 83 | 1 | |
| Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
2006–07 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 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... (loan) |
2006–07 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Livingston Livingston F.C. Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team... |
2007–08 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... |
2008–09 2008–09 in English football The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrogate Town Harrogate Town F.C. Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:... |
2009–10 2009–10 in English football The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League... |
22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 in English football The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May... |
26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 48 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 54 | 4 | |
| Total | 214 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 247 | 8 | |