Stephen Crawford
Encyclopedia
Stephen "Stevie" Crawford (born 9 January 1974 in Dunfermline
) is a Scottish
professional football player and manager. He is currently the assistant manager of Falkirk
.
Crawford started his career with Raith Rovers
, with whom he won the 1994 Scottish League Cup Final
and played in the UEFA Cup
. This earned him a move to English football with Millwall
, but Crawford returned to Scotland after just one year. He had a mixed spell with Hibernian
, suffering relegation but then winning promotion. Crawford then had the most productive spell of his career with Dunfermline Athletic
, during which time he became a Scotland
regular, amassing 25 caps in total. Crawford played in Scottish Cup Finals for both Dunfermline and Dundee United
in the mid 2000s, losing both to Celtic
. Crawford's stint with Dundee United came after a short-lived return to English football with Plymouth Argyle
.
After short spells with Aberdeen
and Dunfermline Athletic
, Crawford signed for lower division club East Fife
in 2008. He served East Fife as player manager for just over a year before resigning as manager in October 2010. In October 2011 Stevie was appointed assistant manager of Falkirk
.
, began his career with Raith Rovers
in 1992. Raith beat Celtic
in a penalty shootout in the 1994 Scottish League Cup Final
. Raith also played in the UEFA Cup
against Bayern Munich
.
After the 1995–96 season
, Crawford moved on to Millwall
, where he spent a single season and scored 11 goals. Hibernian
signed Crawford in 1997, but were relegated from the top division before winning promotion back to the Scottish Premier League
in 1999. Crawford moved to Dunfermline Athletic
on loan for the 1999–2000 season
, scoring 16 goals in 25 games.
side permanently in July 2000 after a successful loan in the previous season. His first goal for the Pars came on 12 August 2000 against St. Johnstone. Crawford was Dunfermline's
top scorer in his first season at East End Park
, scoring 9 goals in 37 league matches. The next season
was just as successful for Crawford in goalscoring terms and his goals elevated Dunfermline to finishing 6th in the league. His goal in the final game of the season against Rangers
earned his side a 1–1 draw. The 2002–03 season
was perhaps Crawford's best season with the Pars. The third game of the season saw him score a hat-trick
against Dundee
leading to him challenging for top scorer of the season with 19 goals in 35 games. Crawford's goals again helped the Pars move up the league, helping them finish 5th overall.
His final season at Dunfermline was the club most successful season in a number of years, which saw them finish 4th thanks to Crawford's 13 goals. This not only saw his side qualify for the UEFA Cup
, but he also helped the Pars reach the 2004 Scottish Cup Final
, which they lost 3–1 to Celtic. It was at this time that Crawford decided he wanted to leave Dunfermline in order to sign for a club in England
.
side Plymouth Argyle
in 2004. He failed to settle in England
due to his lack of goals and his homesickness. After only six months he returned to Scotland, signing with Dundee United
for a £80,000 fee. His time at Tannadice
was equally short-lived, although he did earn another Scottish Cup
runners-up medal, as United lost the 2005 Scottish Cup Final
to Celtic
.
, Crawford returned to Dunfermline in August 2006, despite being a regular starter at Pittodrie
and among the top league scorers at the time. He signed a two-year deal with his hometown team but failed to be as productive as he had been in his first spell with Dunfermline, scoring only 8 goals in two seasons. In April 2008, Crawford was told he would not be offered a new contract and was free to find a new club.
in favour of continuing his football in Scotland
. Crawford signed a two-year-deal with Scottish Second Division
side East Fife
a few days later. After David Baikie
resigned as manager on 14 April 2009, Crawford became caretaker player-manager, and he was given the job on a permanent basis later that month. After just over a year as manager, Crawford resigned as manager of East Fife, but remained with the club as a registered player.
Crawford was appointed assistant manager of Falkirk
in October 2011.
, scoring 4 goals.
Hibernian:
Dunfermline:
Dundee Utd:
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football player and manager. He is currently the assistant manager of Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
.
Crawford started his career with Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
, with whom he won the 1994 Scottish League Cup Final
1994 Scottish League Cup Final
The 1994 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 27 November 1994, at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow and was the final of the 49th Scottish League Cup competition. The final was contested by Raith Rovers and Celtic. Raith Rovers won the final on a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 2–2...
and played in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. This earned him a move to English football with Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, but Crawford returned to Scotland after just one year. He had a mixed spell with 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...
, suffering relegation but then winning promotion. Crawford then had the most productive spell of his career with Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
, during which time he became a Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
regular, amassing 25 caps in total. Crawford played in Scottish Cup Finals for both Dunfermline and Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
in the mid 2000s, losing both to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Crawford's stint with Dundee United came after a short-lived return to English football with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
.
After short spells with Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
and Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
, Crawford signed for lower division club East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
in 2008. He served East Fife as player manager for just over a year before resigning as manager in October 2010. In October 2011 Stevie was appointed assistant manager of Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
.
1990s
Crawford, who plays as a strikerStriker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, began his career with Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
in 1992. Raith beat Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in a penalty shootout in the 1994 Scottish League Cup Final
1994 Scottish League Cup Final
The 1994 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 27 November 1994, at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow and was the final of the 49th Scottish League Cup competition. The final was contested by Raith Rovers and Celtic. Raith Rovers won the final on a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 2–2...
. Raith also played in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
against Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
.
After the 1995–96 season
1995-96 in Scottish football
The 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
, Crawford moved on to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, where he spent a single season and scored 11 goals. 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...
signed Crawford in 1997, but were relegated from the top division before winning promotion 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...
in 1999. Crawford moved to Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
on loan for the 1999–2000 season
1999-00 in Scottish football
The 1999–2000 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:-Scottish First Division:-Scottish Second Division:...
, scoring 16 goals in 25 games.
Dunfermline Athletic
Crawford signed for the FifeFife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
side permanently in July 2000 after a successful loan in the previous season. His first goal for the Pars came on 12 August 2000 against St. Johnstone. Crawford was Dunfermline's
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
top scorer in his first season at East End Park
East End Park
East End Park is a football stadium situated in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland with a seating capacity of 11,380.The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League side, Dunfermline Athletic F.C. It currently comprises four stands: East Stand, Main Stand, SGM Stand and the Norrie...
, scoring 9 goals in 37 league matches. The next season
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....
was just as successful for Crawford in goalscoring terms and his goals elevated Dunfermline to finishing 6th in the league. His goal in the final game of the season against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
earned his side a 1–1 draw. The 2002–03 season
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...
was perhaps Crawford's best season with the Pars. The third game of the season saw him score a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
leading to him challenging for top scorer of the season with 19 goals in 35 games. Crawford's goals again helped the Pars move up the league, helping them finish 5th overall.
His final season at Dunfermline was the club most successful season in a number of years, which saw them finish 4th thanks to Crawford's 13 goals. This not only saw his side qualify for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, but he also helped the Pars reach the 2004 Scottish Cup Final
2004 Scottish Cup Final
The 2004 Scottish Cup Final was played on 22 May 2004 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 118th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic. Celtic came from behind to win the match 3–1.-Match details:...
, which they lost 3–1 to Celtic. It was at this time that Crawford decided he wanted to leave Dunfermline in order to sign for a club in England
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...
.
Plymouth and Dundee United
Crawford signed for Football League ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
in 2004. He failed to settle in England
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...
due to his lack of goals and his homesickness. After only six months he returned to Scotland, signing with Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
for a £80,000 fee. His time at Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
was equally short-lived, although he did earn another 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...
runners-up medal, as United lost the 2005 Scottish Cup Final
2005 Scottish Cup Final
The 2005 Scottish Cup Final was played on 28 May 2005 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 119th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Celtic and Dundee United. Celtic won the match with an eleventh minute goal from Alan Thompson....
to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
.
Aberdeen and return to Dunfermline
After joining Aberdeen at the start of the 2005–06 season2005-06 in Scottish football
The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
, Crawford returned to Dunfermline in August 2006, despite being a regular starter at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
and among the top league scorers at the time. He signed a two-year deal with his hometown team but failed to be as productive as he had been in his first spell with Dunfermline, scoring only 8 goals in two seasons. In April 2008, Crawford was told he would not be offered a new contract and was free to find a new club.
Managerial career
It was reported in July 2008 that Crawford had turned down a move to the English ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in favour of continuing his football in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Crawford signed a two-year-deal with Scottish Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
side East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
a few days later. After David Baikie
David Baikie
Dave Baikie is a Scottish former football player who has since moved into management.As a player Baikie spent his entire career in junior football and also cut his managerial teeth there before joining Arbroath F.C. in 1997...
resigned as manager on 14 April 2009, Crawford became caretaker player-manager, and he was given the job on a permanent basis later that month. After just over a year as manager, Crawford resigned as manager of East Fife, but remained with the club as a registered player.
Crawford was appointed assistant manager of Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in October 2011.
International career
Over the course of his career Crawford has won 25 caps for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, scoring 4 goals.
International goals
- Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 24 May 1995 Toyama Park Stadium Toyama Athletic Recreation Park Stadiumis a multi-purpose stadium in Toyama, Japan. It is currently used mostly for football matches and athletics events. This stadium's capacity is 28,494 people.- External links :*...
, ToyamaToyama, Toyamais the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about 200 km north of the city of Nagoya and 300 km northwest of Tokyo....
2–1 2–1 Kirin Cup Kirin CupThe Kirin Cup is an annual association football tournament sponsored in Japan by the Kirin Brewery Company. The host, Japan, is a participant in every edition. The tournament was founded in 1978 as an international club competition. From 1992 onwards the format was changed to a round robin national...2 15 October 2002 Easter Road Easter RoadEaster Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
, EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
1–1 3–1 Friendly match 3 15 October 2002 Easter Road Easter RoadEaster Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
, EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
3–1 3–1 Friendly match 4 27 May 2003 Tynecastle Stadium Tynecastle StadiumTynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
, EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
1–0 1–1 Friendly match
Club
Raith Rovers:- Scottish First Division
- Winner - 1992-93, 1994-95
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
- Winner - 1994-95
Hibernian:
- Scottish First Division
- Winner - 1998-99
Dunfermline:
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe 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...
- Runner-up - 2003-04, 2006-07
Dundee Utd:
- Scottish Cup
- Runner-up - 2004-05
See also
- Dundee United F.C. season 2004-05 | 2005–06
- Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season 2007-08Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season 2007-08After 36 league games, Dunfermline Athletic finished 5th in the Scottish First Division with 51 points. Mark Burchill was the top scorer with 15 goals.-Review and Events:...