Tom Craddock
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tom" Craddock is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United
as a striker.
, County Durham
, Craddock came through the youth system
at Middlesbrough
, and was a member of their FA Youth Cup
winning side in 2003–04. He made his first team debut for the club as a substitute in the final game of the 2005–06 season against Fulham
, having already scored 20 goals for the reserve team
.
He joined Wrexham on a month's loan from 25 October 2006. He scored the winning goal on his debut for the team; however, the next day it was discovered he had suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for six weeks.
From 13 February 2008, Craddock joined League One
side Hartlepool United
on a month's loan. In July 2008, he signed a one-year contract extension with Middlesbrough.
. This loan was extended in November after Craddock scored three goals in four games, then extended for a further month following more impressive performances, despite injury. Craddock's loan period came to an end in mid-January and Luton sought his services once more, this time lodging a bid of £80,000, which Middlesbrough accepted. On 30 January 2009, Craddock signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Luton Town.
He scored 12 goals in 30 games for Luton in the 2008–09
season, including a goal in the Hatters' Football League Trophy
victory at Wembley Stadium
. However, a 30-point deduction imposed upon the club at the start of the season led to Luton's eventual relegation from the Football League
, despite Craddock scoring 10 league goals.
British newspaper The Daily Mail
named Craddock as the 46th best signing of the 2008–09 season.
In the 2009–10
season, Craddock finished the season as Luton's top scorer with 24 goals, also finishing as third top scorer in the Conference National
.
side Oxford United
for a fee of £50,000
He wears shirt number 29.
While at Luton, Craddock lived in the Marsh Farm area of the town and ran a youth football club there, helping children to improve their skills. He and his girlfriend have since moved to Milton Keynes.
Luton Town
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
as a striker.
Middlesbrough
Born in DarlingtonDarlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, Craddock came through the youth system
Youth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, and was a member of their FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winning side in 2003–04. He made his first team debut for the club as a substitute in the final game of the 2005–06 season against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, having already scored 20 goals for the reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
.
He joined Wrexham on a month's loan from 25 October 2006. He scored the winning goal on his debut for the team; however, the next day it was discovered he had suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for six weeks.
From 13 February 2008, Craddock joined League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
on a month's loan. In July 2008, he signed a one-year contract extension with Middlesbrough.
Luton Town
On 17 October 2008, Craddock was sent on a one-month loan to Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. This loan was extended in November after Craddock scored three goals in four games, then extended for a further month following more impressive performances, despite injury. Craddock's loan period came to an end in mid-January and Luton sought his services once more, this time lodging a bid of £80,000, which Middlesbrough accepted. On 30 January 2009, Craddock signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Luton Town.
He scored 12 goals in 30 games for Luton in the 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...
season, including a goal in the Hatters' Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
victory at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. However, a 30-point deduction imposed upon the club at the start of the season led to Luton's eventual relegation from the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, despite Craddock scoring 10 league goals.
British newspaper The Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
named Craddock as the 46th best signing of the 2008–09 season.
In the 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...
season, Craddock finished the season as Luton's top scorer with 24 goals, also finishing as third top scorer in 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...
.
Oxford United
On 31 August 2010, the day of the transfer deadline, Craddock signed for League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
for a fee of £50,000
He wears shirt number 29.
While at Luton, Craddock lived in the Marsh Farm area of the town and ran a youth football club there, helping children to improve their skills. He and his girlfriend have since moved to Milton Keynes.
Honours
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winner: 2003–04
Luton Town
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 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...
External links
- Tom Craddock profile at the Luton Town website