Adam Crookes
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Adam Crookes
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Adam Mark Crookes{{cite web|title=Retained List 2016-17|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf|publisher=English Football League|accessdate=13 June 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|11|18|df=y}}{{soccerway|adam-crookes/528859|accessdate=3 August 2018}}
| birth_place = Lincoln, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2020/2021 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2020-2021/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Gainsborough Trinity
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = St. Helen's
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Navenby
| youthyears3 = 2005–2019
| youthclubs3 = Nottingham Forest
| years1 = 2017–2019
| clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2017–2018
| clubs2 = → Guiseley (loan)
| caps2 = 15
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = → Lincoln City (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps4 = 19
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2021
| clubs5 = Port Vale
| caps5 = 30
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2021–2022
| clubs6 = Grimsby Town
| caps6 = 24
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2022–2025
| clubs7 = York City
| caps7 = 56
| goals7 = 6
| years8 = 2025–
| clubs8 = Gainsborough Trinity
| caps8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| club-update = 14:55, 12 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Adam Mark Crookes (born 18 November 1997) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|GainsboT}} club Gainsborough Trinity.
A graduate of the Nottingham Forest Academy, he captained the under-18's to the Professional Development League 2 title in the 2015–16 season. He spent part of the 2017–18 campaign on loan at Guiseley and was loaned out to Lincoln City and Port Vale the following season, before joining Vale permanently on a two-year contract in May 2019. He signed with Grimsby Town in July 2021 and moved on to York City in June 2022. He spent three seasons with York before he joined Gainsborough Trinity in June 2025.
Early and personal life
Born in Lincoln, Crookes attended Priory City of Lincoln Academy. His agent is Phil Sproson.
Career
=Nottingham Forest=
Crookes began his career with St. Helen's and Navenby before signing for Nottingham Forest at eight. He captained Forest's under-18 team to the Professional Development U18 League 2 title and the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup in the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |title=Adam Crookes - Defender - Under 23s - Nottingham Forest |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/teams/under-23s/defender/adam-crookes/ |website=www.nottinghamforest.co.uk |accessdate=15 January 2019}} In an interview with the Nottingham Post in November 2017, he said that, "I thought I've been playing quite strongly and hopefully I can push on, and maybe the gaffer (Mark Warburton) is going to have a look at me. If not, I'll look to go on loan."{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Barry |title=Joe Worrall an inspiration to younger stars at Forest, says Adam Crookes |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/joe-worrall-proving-inspiration-younger-797464 |accessdate=15 January 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=20 November 2017}} He moved on loan to struggling National League side Guiseley the following month.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-defender-adam-crookes-932585|title=Nottingham Forest defender Adam Crookes joins Guiseley on loan|date=15 December 2017|accessdate=3 August 2018|author=Matt Davies|publisher=Nottingham Post}} He made his senior debut on 20 December, in a 2–1 defeat at Gateshead in the FA Trophy.{{cite web |last1=Hewitt |first1=Matty |title=Gateshead 2-1 Guiseley – Gateshead FC |url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/match-report/gateshead-2-1-guiseley/ |website=gateshead-fc.co.uk}} He made his league debut at Nethermoor Park three days later in a 1–1 draw with Aldershot Town.{{cite news |title=Guiseley 1-1 Aldershot Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42375966 |accessdate=15 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2017}} Having established himself in the first-team for Paul Cox's "Lions", the loan was later extended until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Barry |title=Forest defender Adam Crookes to spend rest of the season at Guiseley |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-defender-adam-crookes-1073133 |accessdate=15 January 2019 |work=Nottingham Post |date=16 January 2018}} However, he was recalled by Forest manager Aitor Karanka in March 2018, after making 16 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-recall-young-defender-1389842|title=Nottingham Forest recall young defender Adam Crookes from Guiseley|date=27 March 2018|accessdate=3 August 2018|author=Matt Davies|publisher=Nottingham Post}}
He moved on loan to his hometown club, Lincoln City, in August 2018 after impressing manager Danny Cowley on trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2018/august/180802-crookes-signs|title=Local lad Crookes signs for the season|date=2 August 2018|access-date=29 August 2018|publisher=Lincoln City F.C.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45050663|title=Adam Crookes: Lincoln City sign Nottingham Forest defender on season-long loan deal|date=2 August 2018|accessdate=3 August 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 28 August, as the "Imps" fell to a 4–1 defeat at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.{{cite news |title=Blackburn Rovers 4-1 Lincoln City: Rovers remain unbeaten in all competitions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45254601 |accessdate=16 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2018}} However, he failed to break into the first-team for the League Two leaders and was recalled to the City Ground in January 2019, having made only four further EFL Trophy appearances at Sincil Bank.{{cite web|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2019/january/190111-defenderrecall|title=Defender Recalled by Forest|date=14 January 2019|access-date=14 January 2019|publisher=Lincoln City F.C.}}
=Port Vale=
On 14 January 2019, Crookes joined struggling League Two side Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2019/january/adam-crookes-joins/|title=Adam Crookes joins the Vale on loan|date=14 January 2019|accessdate=14 January 2019|publisher=Port Vale F.C.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46868292|title=Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest defender on loan|date=14 January 2019|accessdate=14 January 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} Manager Neil Aspin state that "A natural left-footer in the defence is something we've not had and he'll compete for a place".{{cite news |title=Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest defender on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46868292 |accessdate=15 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2019}} He made his debut in the English Football League in a 1–0 win at Crawley Town on 19 January.{{cite news |title=Crawley Town v Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46847600 |accessdate=19 January 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2019}} He maintained his first-team place under new manager John Askey, impressing both playing on the left of a back three and at left-back in a back four.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Nottingham Forest defender on his future after impressing at Port Vale |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-port-vale-crookes-2662939 |accessdate=19 March 2019 |work=The Sentinel |date=19 March 2019}} Assistant manager Dave Kevan said that Crookes had good character and that the management team would monitor his availability in the summer.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale likely to put Nottingham Forest defender on list of targets |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-port-vale-crookes-2668931 |accessdate=21 March 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=20 March 2019}} Nottingham Forest released Crookes on 13 May 2019.{{cite news |title=Forest confirm retained list |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2019/may/nottingham-forest-2018-19-retained-list/ |accessdate=13 May 2019 |work=www.nottinghamforest.co.uk |date=13 May 2019 |language=en-gb}} However, his agent Phil Sproson revealed that he had received contract offers from Vale and another, unnamed club.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Ex-Nottingham Forest left-back mulling over two offers |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/port-vale-adam-crookes-forest-2918358 |accessdate=29 May 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=29 May 2019}} He signed a two-year deal with Port Vale on 31 May.{{cite news |title=Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign defender signs on two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48475889 |accessdate=31 May 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2019}}
He began the 2019–20 season playing at left-back and said that he had been studying Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson to improve his performance in the role.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's Adam Crookes studying the best as he develops as a left back |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vales-adam-crookes-studying-3419645 |accessdate=11 October 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=11 October 2019}} He maintained his first-team place until a "freakish training accident" saw him sidelined in late-October.{{cite news |last1=Spinks |first1=Martin |title=Port Vale defender latest after freakish injury |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-crookes-askey-montano-3478469 |accessdate=29 October 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=29 October 2019}} He returned to training after a four-month layoff, but was unable to add to his 17 starts before the season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Latest from John Askey's press conference as Port Vale welcome back defender |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latest-john-askeys-press-conference-3896787 |accessdate=28 February 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=28 February 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Every Port Vale player reviewed and rated for 2019/20 season |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/port-vale-player-ratings-season-4201883 |accessdate=9 June 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=9 June 2020}}
He struggled for playing time at the start of the 2020–21 season as he was behind centre-backs Nathan Smith, Leon Legge and Shaun Brisley in the pecking order, though impressed the management after filling in at left-back in the absence of Cristian Montaño and David Fitzpatrick.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title='Not surprised' - Port Vale management verdict on Adam Crookes |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/not-surprised-port-vale-management-4675026 |accessdate=6 November 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=6 November 2020 |language=en}} He scored his first goal in professional football on 30 January, in a 5–1 home win over Southend United.{{cite news |title=Port Vale 5-1 Southend United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55776727 |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2021}} He started new manager Darrell Clarke's first two games in charge, playing left-back in a 4–4–2 and then left-sided centre-back in a 3–5–2 formation.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale player ratings from frustrating Stevenage stalemate |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-player-ratings-frustrating-5037819 |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=23 February 2021 |language=en}} However, he was one of 15 players released at the end of the season.{{cite news |title=2020/21 Retained List |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2021/may/202021-retained-list/ |access-date=10 May 2021 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=10 May 2021 |language=en-gb}}
=Grimsby Town=
He signed a one-year contract with National League club Grimsby Town on 9 July 2021; manager Paul Hurst said he had been aware of Crookes for some time and that former manager Clarke had spoken well of him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/grimsby-town-new-signing-crookes-5634024|title=Grimsby Town sign former Port Vale defender Adam Crookes|newspaper=Grimsbylive |date=9 July 2021|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk}}{{cite news |title=Crookes Pens Mariners Deal |url=https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/crookes-pens-mariners-deal/ |access-date=10 July 2021 |work=www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk |date=9 July 2021 |language=en-gb}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He played 24 league games in the 2021–22 campaign, helping the "Mariners" to qualify for the play-offs with a sixth-place finish. Grimsby secured promotion with victory in the play-off final. However, Crookes was not in the matchday squad at London Stadium.{{cite news |last1=Peddy |first1=Chris |title=Grimsby beat Solihull Moors to seal EFL return |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61628696 |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2022}} On 11 June, the club announced their retained list and confirmed that Crookes would be released upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the month.{{cite news |title=Mariners Retained List Announced - Grimsby Town Football Club |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/mariners-retained-list-announced/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=gtfc.co.uk |date=11 June 2022}}
=York City=
On 30 June 2022, Crookes joined newly promoted National League club York City, alongside Grimsby teammate Scott Burgess, both of whom had played under York manager John Askey at Port Vale.{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/first-team/grimsby-duo-burgess-and-crookes-sign-new-season|title=Grimsby duo Burgess and Crookes sign on for new season|website=www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk|last1=Simmonite |first1=Dan|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}} He recovered from an injury early in the season and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2023.{{cite news |last1=Archer |first1=Kieran |title=Defender Adam Crookes commits next two and half years to Minstermen after signing new contract |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/first-team/defender-adam-crookes-commits-next-two-and-half-years-minstermen-after-signing-new |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk |date=18 January 2023 |language=en}} He was named in the National League Team of the Week on 9 April following good performances against Chesterfield and Barnet.{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Emma |title=York City defender named in National League Team of Week |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/23444761.city-left-back-adam-crookes-named-national-league-team-week/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=York Press |date=9 April 2023 |language=en}} He made 23 appearances in the 2023–24 season, after having missed the final six weeks with a hamstring injury.{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=Hinshelwood rules out York City's Adam Crookes for six week period |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/24161536.hinshelwood-rules-york-citys-adam-crookes-six-week-period/ |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=York Press |date=4 March 2024 |language=en}}
He suffered a quad injury in August 2024 that kept him sidelined for six weeks; manager Adam Hinshelwood commented that he would be a "big miss".{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=Hinshelwood confirms seriousness of injury to City's Crookes |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/24524426.york-city-boss-confirms-seriousness-adam-crookes-injury/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=York Press |date=16 August 2024 |language=en}} by the end of November, Crookes managed to win a place on the Vanarama Team of the Week for his goal and performance in a 6–2 victory over Maidenhead United at the York Community Stadium.{{cite news |last1=Connell |first1=Kai |title=City trio named in Team of the Weeks following 6-2 victory |url=https://yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/city-trio-named-in-team-of-the-weeks-following-6-2-victory/ |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=York City FC |date=2 December 2024}} However, he tore his calf in the new year and so was sidelined again for some weeks.{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=City exploring loan market as Adam Crookes tears calf |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/24866165.york-city-show-loan-interest-adam-crookes-suffers-fresh-injury/ |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=York Press |date=17 January 2025 |language=en}} When questioned about his injury record, Hinshelwood said that he was showing faith in Crookes and would not need to sign a replacement.{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=Adam Hinshelwood backs Adam Crookes for York City return |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/24925584.adam-hinshelwood-backs-adam-crookes-york-city-return/ |access-date=12 May 2025 |work=York Press |date=11 February 2025}} He played 13 league games in the 2024–25 campaign and was released upon the expiry of his contract.{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=Crookes confirms City departure as left-back explores new chapter |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/25195283.adam-crookes-leaves-york-city-goodbye-social-media-post/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |work=York Press |date=27 May 2025 |language=en}}
=Gainsborough Trinity=
On 2 June 2025, Crookes joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity. {{cite web|url=https://www.gainsboroughtrinity.com/news/team-news/1711-trinity-secure-experienced-adam-crookes|title=Blues Secure Experienced Adam Crookes|website=www.gainsboroughtrinity.com|date=2 June 2025|accessdate=4 June 2025}} The move into semi-professional football allowed him to start a new career.{{cite news |last1=Ramsey |first1=Gabriel |title=Crookes steps into part-time football as released City man finds new club |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/25209980.adam-crookes-joins-club-closer-home-leaving-york-city/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |work=York Press |date=3 June 2025 |language=en}}
Playing style
Crookes has been described as "a left-sided defender equally comfortable playing left-sided centre back or at left back [who] can also play as a defensive midfielder if required".{{cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/adam-crookes-nottingham-forest-vale-2426219|title=Who is Adam Crookes? All about Port Vale's signing from Nottingham Forest|date=14 January 2019|accessdate=15 January 2019|author=Michael Baggaley|publisher=Stoke Sentinel}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 5 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Nottingham Forest
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=109811|season=2017|accessdate=1 January 2019}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=109811|season=2018|accessdate=1 January 2019}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Guiseley (loan)
|2017–18{{Soccerway|adam-crookes/528859}} |15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=fat|Appearance in the FA Trophy.}} | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| Lincoln City (loan)
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=efl|Appearances in the EFL Trophy.}} | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Port Vale (loan)
|League Two |19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Port Vale
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=109811|season=2019|accessdate=1 January 2019}} |League Two |14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=efl}} | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|109811|2020|accessdate=22 May 2020}}
|League Two |16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=efl}} | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 58 | 1 | |
| Grimsby Town
|National League |24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|York City
|National League |22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=fat|Appearance in the FA Trophy.}} | 0 | 26 | 3 | ||
| 2023–24
|National League |21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25
|National League |13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!56 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 64 | 6 | |
| Gainsborough Trinity
|Northern Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!144 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 168 | 7 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Nottingham Forest
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crookes, Adam}}
Category:Footballers from Lincoln, England
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Guiseley A.F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players