Stephen Craigan
Encyclopedia
Stephen James Craigan is a professional footballer, currently playing for Motherwell
in the Scottish Premier League
. He plays in central defence, and has enjoyed two spells at Motherwell, where he is currently the club captain. He has also played for the Northern Irish national team
.
fan, Craigan started his career in Scotland with Motherwell in 1994 when the young Ulsterman was signed by Alex McLeish
. However, after only twenty-six appearances, he was released on a free transfer. He signed for Scottish Second Division club Partick Thistle
in 2000 and helped them back to the Scottish Premier League
, making 121 appearances. After his contract expired in 2003, he returned to Motherwell, who were then managed by former England
international Terry Butcher
.
Since then, Craigan has been an integral part of Motherwell's steady progress in the league. Craigan has since gone on to become Motherwell's most capped player. He works for BBC Radio Scotland
, also commentated on some European matches for Setanta Sports and ESPN. Craigan is a regular pundit on Sky Sports News Radio
, rounding up the weekly hot topics in the SPL.
In June 2009, Craigan was appointed the player-caretaker manager
of Motherwell while the club looked for a replacement for Mark McGhee
, who departed for Aberdeen
. This temporary appointment ended when Jim Gannon
was hired as the new manager. He endured a troubled relationship with Gannon, featuring in only seven of the seventeen league games he was in charge at Motherwell after being publicly criticised by the manager, but returned to regular first-team action under Craig Brown. On 16 April 2011 Craigan scored his first goal since 2006 with a header to open the scoring in the Scottish Cup
semi-final against St Johnstone
, which Motherwell won 3-0 to advance to the Scottish Cup Final.
On 9 June 2011, Craigan signed a new one-year contract at Motherwell.
On 13 July 2011, Craigan was awarded a testimonial match against his former club Partick Thistle
, with Craigan scoring the winning penalty for Motherwell in a 1-0 win.
record cap holder, having received 54 caps for Northern Ireland
. Craigan played in their 1–0 victory against England
in September 2005 and the 3–2 win over Spain
a year later. He captained his country on their end of season tour in 2010 against Turkey
and Chile
and continued as captain against Montenegro
on 11 August 2010. His 50th cap came in a surprise victory away to Slovenia
on 3 September 2010, in their first game of the Euro 2012 campaign. On 19 July 2011, Craigan announced his retirement from International football, earning 54 caps, the last of those coming against Slovenia
.
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Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
in the 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...
. He plays in central defence, and has enjoyed two spells at Motherwell, where he is currently the club captain. He has also played for the Northern Irish national team
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
.
Club career
A boyhood GlentoranGlentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
fan, Craigan started his career in Scotland with Motherwell in 1994 when the young Ulsterman was signed by Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
. However, after only twenty-six appearances, he was released on a free transfer. He signed for Scottish Second Division club Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in 2000 and helped them back to the 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...
, making 121 appearances. After his contract expired in 2003, he returned to Motherwell, who were then managed by former England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international Terry Butcher
Terry Butcher
Terence Ian "Terry" Butcher is an English football manager and former player. He was a highly successful football player and made his name as an uncompromising defender with Ipswich Town and Rangers in the 1980s. He was also a captain of England and won 77 caps in a ten-year international career...
.
Since then, Craigan has been an integral part of Motherwell's steady progress in the league. Craigan has since gone on to become Motherwell's most capped player. He works for BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland is BBC Scotland's national English-language radio network. It broadcasts a wide variety of programming, including news, sport, light entertainment, music, the arts, comedy, drama, history and lifestyle...
, also commentated on some European matches for Setanta Sports and ESPN. Craigan is a regular pundit on Sky Sports News Radio
Sky Sports News Radio
Sky Sports News Radio is a British online radio station broadcasting sports news, results and information 24 hours a day. It is a sister service to the television channel Sky Sports News.-History:...
, rounding up the weekly hot topics in the SPL.
In June 2009, Craigan was appointed the player-caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
of Motherwell while the club looked for a replacement for Mark McGhee
Mark McGhee
Mark Edward McGhee is a former Scottish professional football player. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading...
, who departed for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. This temporary appointment ended when Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
was hired as the new manager. He endured a troubled relationship with Gannon, featuring in only seven of the seventeen league games he was in charge at Motherwell after being publicly criticised by the manager, but returned to regular first-team action under Craig Brown. On 16 April 2011 Craigan scored his first goal since 2006 with a header to open the scoring in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi-final against St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
, which Motherwell won 3-0 to advance to the Scottish Cup Final.
On 9 June 2011, Craigan signed a new one-year contract at Motherwell.
On 13 July 2011, Craigan was awarded a testimonial match against his former club Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
, with Craigan scoring the winning penalty for Motherwell in a 1-0 win.
International career
Craigan is Motherwell'sMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
record cap holder, having received 54 caps for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. Craigan played in their 1–0 victory against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in September 2005 and the 3–2 win over Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
a year later. He captained his country on their end of season tour in 2010 against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
and Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
and continued as captain against Montenegro
Montenegro national football team
The Montenegro national football team represents Montenegro in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro, the governing body for football in Montenegro...
on 11 August 2010. His 50th cap came in a surprise victory away to Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
on 3 September 2010, in their first game of the Euro 2012 campaign. On 19 July 2011, Craigan announced his retirement from International football, earning 54 caps, the last of those coming against Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Motherwell Motherwell F.C. Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998... |
|||||||||||
| 1997-98 1997-98 in Scottish football The 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 1998-99 1998-99 in Scottish football The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were... |
10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 1999-2000 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| Partick Thistle Partick Thistle F.C. Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908... |
|||||||||||
| 2000-01 2000-01 in Scottish football The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock... |
35 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| 2001-02 2001-02 in Scottish football The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title.... |
32 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2002-03 2002-03 in Scottish football The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and... |
39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| Total | 106 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 125 | 1 | |
| Motherwell Motherwell F.C. Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998... |
|||||||||||
| 2003–04 2003–04 Motherwell F.C. season The 2003–04 season was Motherwell's 6th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 19th consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football.-Motherwell F.C... |
36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2004–05 2004–05 Motherwell F.C. season The 2004–05 season was Motherwell's 7th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 20th consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football.-Motherwell F.C... |
37 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 4 | |
| 2005–06 2005–06 Motherwell F.C. season The 2005–06 season was Motherwell's 8th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 21st consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football.-Motherwell F.C... |
36 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2006–07 2006–07 Motherwell F.C. season The 2006–07 season was Motherwell's 9th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 22nd consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football.-Important Events:... |
34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 2007–08 Motherwell F.C. season The 2007–08 season was Motherwell's 10th season in the Scottish Premier League, and their 23rd consecutive season in the top division of Scottish football... |
38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Motherwell F.C. season Motherwell will compete in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and UEFA Europa League during the 2010–11 season... |
35 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Motherwell F.C. season Motherwell will compete in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup during the 2011–12 season.-Important Events:... |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| Total | 282 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 330 | 7 | |
| Motherwell Total | 223 | 8 | 19 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 275 | 10 | |
| Career Total | 329 | 9 | 26 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 400 | 11 | |
International
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External links
- Stephen Craigan profile at Motherwell FC official website