Craig Conway (footballer)
{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Craig Conway
| image = Craig Conway 2016.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Conway playing for Blackburn Rovers in 2016
| fullname = Craig Ian Conway{{Hugman|22647|accessdate=4 March 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|5|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Irvine, Scotland
| height =
| position = Winger
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Caledonian Boys Club
| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Kilmarnock
| youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Ayr United
| years1 = 2003–2006 | clubs1 = Ayr United | caps1 = 61 | goals1 = 7
| years2 = 2006–2011 | clubs2 = Dundee United | caps2 = 137 | goals2 = 13
| years3 = 2011–2014 | clubs3 = Cardiff City | caps3 = 58 | goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2013 | clubs4 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2014–2019 | clubs5= Blackburn Rovers | caps5 = 178 | goals5 = 19
| years6 = 2019–2020 | clubs6= Salford City | caps6 = 20 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2020–2021 |
| clubs7 = St Johnstone
| caps7 = 28 | goals7 = 3
| totalcaps = 495
| totalgoals = 48
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2013 | nationalteam1 = Scotland
| nationalcaps1 = 7 | nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Craig Ian Conway (born 2 May 1985) is a Scottish retired professional footballer who played as a winger. He made seven full international appearances for the Scotland national team between 2009 and 2013.
Conway started his career with Ayr United before moving to Scottish Premier League side Dundee United in 2006. Ayr did not receive compensation for the deal until 10 months after he left. In 2011, he moved to Championship side Cardiff on a free transfer. In September 2013, he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Football League Championship on a three-month loan. In January 2014, Conway joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a 2.5-year deal. After leaving Blackburn in 2019, he had a short spell with Salford City, before signing for St Johnstone in 2020.
Career
=Dundee United=
Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Conway started his career with Caledonian Boys Club in Prestwick. He was signed by Kilmarnock and released before later signing with Ayr United, making 61 league appearances for the club and scoring seven times. Conway's good form alerted then-Dundee United manager Craig Brewster and he agreed a pre-contract deal with Conway to bring him to Tannadice, with the transfer completed on 1 June 2006, with compensation decided ten months later.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/6590441.stm|title=Ayr settle over Conway transfer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 April 2007}} Largely used as a substitute under Brewster, Conway started the majority of matches under Craig Levein and assisted more goals than any other United player in 2006–07. In February 2007, Conway suffered a broken foot which appeared to end his season prematurely.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/6404949.stm|title=Dundee United hit by Conway blow|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 February 2007}} However, Conway appeared in the final four matches of the season. Although playing at the start of the following season, it transpired that Conway was suffering similar issues and it was discovered that a bone graft was needed, ruling Conway out for the last three months of 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/09/11/sportstory10261580t0.asp|title=Breaks not going United's way|publisher=DC Thomson|work=The Courier|location=Dundee|date=11 September 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605011743/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/09/11/sportstory10261580t0.asp|archive-date=5 June 2011}}
Conway returned to action in 2007–08, playing three matches before being sidelined for four months, returning in December. He scored his first goal for the club a month later in the 2–1 win over Kilmarnock in January{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7208163.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1–2 Dundee United |date=26 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 June 2008}} and two matches later, scored the third goal in the 4–1 League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7226724.stm|title=Aberdeen 1–4 Dundee United |date=5 February 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 June 2008}}
Conway signed a two-year contract extension in September 2008 to extend his time at Tannadice until 2011.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7604612.stm|title=Conway agrees new Tannadice deal|date=6 September 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=8 September 2008}} On 15 May 2010, Conway scored two goals in a man of the match performance as United beat Ross County 3–0 in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final. In April 2011, United manager Peter Houston indicated that he expected Conway to leave the club at the end of the season, due to the Terrors being unable to match his wage demands.{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13214101.stm | title=Conway, Buaben and Gomis to leave Dundee United |publisher=BBC Sport | date=29 April 2011 }} Craig was inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame on 23rd October 2023.
=Cardiff City=
File:Conway-for-Cardiff.jpg in 2012]]
On 21 June 2011, Conway confirmed that he had agreed terms with Cardiff City and that he would have a medical within the next couple of days.{{cite web |title=Craig Conway chooses Cardiff City over Rangers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13862181.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2011}} Conway completed his move and signed a three-year contract with the Bluebirds on 23 June 2011.{{cite web |title=Craig Conway signing confirmed |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2380706,00.html |publisher=Cardiff City FC |date=23 June 2011 |access-date=11 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406120113/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2380706%2C00.html |archive-date=6 April 2012 }} He made his debut in a 1–0 win over West Ham United on the opening day of the Championship season.{{cite web |title=West Ham 0 – 1 Cardiff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14356630.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=7 August 2011}} Conway scored his first goal for Cardiff the following game against Oxford United in the Football League Cup.{{cite web |title=Oxford Utd 1 – 3 Cardiff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/14383989.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011}} He then followed up his goal against Oxford with another goal against Bristol City in the league just four days later. Conway's third came as the winning goal against Huddersfield Town, putting the Bluebirds through to the third round of the League Cup. He made his 250th career appearance in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace on 5 November. Conway was an unused substitute at Wembley in the League Cup Final. In April 2012, Conway was selected for the match against Watford, but was taken off with 32 minutes played following a tackle made by Jonathan Hogg, which resulted in an ankle injury and ended his season, four games early.{{cite web |title=Injured Conway's season at end |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2731138,00.html |publisher=Cardiff City FC |date=11 April 2012 |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413181953/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2731138%2C00.html |archive-date=13 April 2012 }}
Conway returned in time for pre-season.{{cite web |title=Conway raring to go |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7841859/? |publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=25 June 2012}} He made his competitive return on 14 August 2012 against Northampton in a 2–1 League Cup defeat. Following a lack of first team football during the season, Conway put in a transfer request on 23 November 2012 after starting only two games out of his four total appearances. The request was rejected by manager, Malky Mackay.{{cite news |title=Cardiff City reject Craig Conway transfer request |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/11/23/cardiff-city-reject-craig-conway-transfer-request-91466-32293099/ |work=South Wales Echo |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}} Conway was included in the squad for the next two games following the request and he made an appearance against Derby County. His first goal of the season came on 2 December, where he scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday, which ensured Cardiff beat their Club record of nine successive home wins. Following a run of successful performances, Conway withdrew his transfer request on 21 December,{{cite web |title=Craig Conway withdraws request to leave Cardiff City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/wales/20806079? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2012 |access-date=21 December 2012}} and went on to play a crucial role in Cardiff's Championship-winning season, including scoring the goal that sealed the title in a 1–1 draw at Turf Moor against Burnley in April.
==Loan to Brighton & Hove Albion==
On 13 September 2013, Conway joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on a 93-day short-term loan, running until 14 December 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/albion-sign-conway-1051487.aspx|title=Albion Sign Conway – News – Brighton & Hove Albion}} Conway scored his first and only goal in this loan period on 7 December 2013, in the 3–1 victory against Leicester City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25163803|title=Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 Leicester City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2013|access-date=29 December 2013}}
=Blackburn Rovers=
On 31 January 2014, Transfer Deadline Day, Conway joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/rovers-complete-conway-capture-1330443.aspx|title=Rovers Complete Conway Signing|publisher=Blackburn Rovers FC|date=31 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014}} Conway scored his first goal for the club on 22 February 2014 in a 1–0 win away against Reading.{{cite web|title=A great three points|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/a-great-three-points-250214-1380488.aspx|publisher=Rovers|access-date=27 February 2014}} On 10 December 2015, Conway signed a new deal which will keep him until 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35052611|title=Craig Conway: Blackburn Rovers winger signs new contract|date=10 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}} After Blackburn were relegated to League One,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/07/brentford-blackburn-rovers-championship-match-report|title=Blackburn relegated to League One despite winning at Brentford|first=Paul|last=Doyle|date=7 May 2017|work=The Guardian}} Conway stayed with Blackburn but was gradually dropped from the starting eleven after suffering multiple injuries and a dip in form.{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/15535867.Rovers_boss_Tony_Mowbray_provides_injury_updates_on_Craig_Conway_and_Rekeem_Harper/|title=Rovers boss Tony Mowbray provides injury updates on Craig Conway and Rekeem Harper|website=Lancashire Telegraph}}
He entered into talks for a new contract with Blackburn at the end of the 2017–18 season which resulted in him extending his contract by another year with an option for a further twelve months.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44114069|title=Blackburn Rovers: Danny Graham and Craig Conway in contract talks|date=14 May 2018|access-date=15 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web |title=Conway Signs New Deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44473918 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2018}}
On 25 May 2019 Conway confirmed he would be leaving at the end of his current contract after five and a half years at Rovers.{{cite web |title=Craig Conway calls time on Rovers career after 5 years |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17665156.craig-conway-calls-time-on-rovers-career-after-five-years/ |work= Lancashire Evening Telegraph|access-date=25 May 2019}}
=Salford City=
In October 2019, Conway signed for Salford City on a short-term deal.{{cite web|title=Former Rovers winger Craig Conway joins Salford City|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/17949366.former-rovers-winger-craig-conway-joins-salford-city/|website=Lancashire Telegraph|last=Lord|first=Adam|date=5 October 2019}} His contract was later extended to the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web|title=Craig Conway: Salford City extends deal with League Two side to end of the season|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50978201|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2020}} He was released by the club on 16 May 2020.{{cite web|title=Salford City Released and Retained List, 2019-2020|url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/released-retained-2020/|website=salfordcityfc.co.uk|date=16 May 2020}} He made his début against Walsall, providing the assist for Luke Armstrong to open the scoring in a 3–0 triumph as Salford won away for the first time in the English Football League.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-salford-city/report/410595 |title=Walsall 0-3 Salford: City record historic first EFL away win at Banks's Stadium |date=5 October 2019 |access-date=21 September 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport}}
=St Johnstone=
On 31 July 2020, Conway signed for Scottish club St Johnstone, on a one-year deal.{{cite web|title=Conway:"I'm buzzing to get started"|url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/post/craig-conway-im-buzzing-get-started|website=perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk}} He scored his first goals for St Johnstone when he scored twice in a 5–3 win over Hamilton Academical on 17 October 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54489129 |title=Hamilton 3-5 St Johnstone |date=17 October 2020 |publisher=BBC|access-date=17 October 2020}} Conway played in the February 2021 Scottish League Cup Final against Livingston at Hampden Park on 28 February 2021 as Saints won the trophy for the first time with a 1–0 win. He had previously scored the third goal in the 3–0 semi-final win against Hibernian, also at Hampden.{{cite web|title=St Johnstone 3–0 Hibernian|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55741295|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Duncan|first=Thomas|date=23 January 2021|access-date=4 March 2021}} Conway was released by St Johnstone at the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|title=St Johnstone: Guy Melamed & Craig Conway released by cup double winners|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57315646|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 June 2021|access-date=6 August 2021}}
=Retirement=
Conway announced his retirement in a post on his Instagram account on 18 March 2022.{{cite web|title=Craig Conway outlines future plans after retirement announcement|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/craig-conway-outlines-future-plans-090000639.html|publisher=Yahoo|date=21 March 2022|access-date=11 March 2023}}
International career
Conway made his international debut under George Burley on 10 October 2009 against Japan, he started the game but Scotland lost 2–0.{{cite news |title=Berra blunder hits Scotland |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3161942,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 October 2009 |access-date=10 October 2009}} It took him two years to make his next appearance for Scotland, which came in the 2011 Nations Cup against Northern Ireland, this time Scotland won 3–0.{{cite news |title=Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/9392886.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2011 |access-date=9 February 2011}} His third appearance for Scotland was on 11 November 2011 in a 2–1 friendly victory over Cyprus in Larnaca.
Most recently, he was a substitute in the 3–2 friendly loss to England at Wembley in August 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24084450|title=Craig Conway: Cardiff City winger joins Brighton on loan|date=13 September 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 May 2021}}
{{notelist}}
=International appearances=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Scotland{{SFA Profile|id=31126}}
|2009 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 7 | 0 |
Honours
Dundee United
Cardiff City
- Football League Championship: 2012–13
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2011–12{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/cardiff-city-vs-liverpool/teams/255645 |title=Starting Lineups - Cardiff vs Liverpool |website=Sky Sports |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=25 March 2024}}
Blackburn Rovers
- EFL League One runner-up: 2017–18{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2018–2019 |year=2018 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6106-9 |pages=54–55}}
St Johnstone
- Scottish Cup: 2020–21{{Cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=22 May 2021|title=Perth side complete domestic cup double|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125203|url-status=live|access-date=22 May 2021|publisher=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522082112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125203 |archive-date=22 May 2021 }}
- Scottish League Cup: 2020–21{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56217717|title=St Johnstone beat Livingston to clinch their first League Cup|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 February 2021|date=28 February 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{NFT player}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Conway, Craig}}
Category:Footballers from Irvine, North Ayrshire
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Scotland men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Ayr United F.C. players
Category:Dundee United F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Salford City F.C. players