Steven Craig

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Steven Craig

| image = Steven Craig 2005.jpg

| caption = Craig in 2005

| fullname = Steven Craig{{Hugman|26089|accessdate=17 March 2017}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|02|05|df=y}}

| birth_place = Blackburn, England

| height =

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Gala Fairydean Rovers (assistant manager)

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Broxburn Athletic

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = Raith Rovers

| years1 = 2000–2003

| years2 = 2003–2004

| years3 = 2004–2005

| years4 = 2005–2006

| years5 = 2006–2008

| years6 = 2008–2012

| years7 = 2012

| years8 = 2013

| years9 = 2013–2015

| years10 = 2015–2016

| years11= 2016

| years12 = 2016–2017

| years13 = 2017[http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/15050401.City_striker_Craig_joins_Stafford_Rangers_on_loan/ Worcester City striker Steven Craig joins Stafford Rangers on loan]‚ worcesternews.co.uk, 26 January 2017

| clubs1 = Falkirk

| clubs2 = Motherwell

| clubs3 = Aberdeen

| clubs4 = → Dundee (loan)

| clubs5 = Livingston

| clubs6 = Ross County

| clubs7 = → Partick Thistle (loan)

| clubs8 = Partick Thistle

| clubs9 = Wycombe Wanderers

| clubs10 = Dumbarton

| clubs11 = Forfar Athletic

| clubs12 = Worcester City

| clubs13 = → Stafford Rangers (loan)

| caps1 = 60

| caps2 = 37

| caps3 = 17

| caps4 = 20

| caps5 = 55

| caps6 = 99

| caps7 = 8

| caps8 = 17

| caps9 = 58

| caps10 = 11

| caps11 = 14

| caps12 = 12

| caps13 = 3

| goals1 = 9

| goals2 = 5

| goals3 = 2

| goals4 = 6

| goals5 = 12

| goals6 = 21

| goals7 = 5

| goals8 = 8

| goals9 = 6

| goals10 = 1

| goals11 = 6

| goals12 = 1

| goals13 = 0

| totalcaps = 411 | totalgoals = 82

| manageryears1 = 2022–

| managerclubs1 = Gala Fairydean Rovers (assistant manager)

}}

Steven Craig (born 5 February 1981) is a Scottish retired professional footballer who is assistant manager of Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Craig has previously played for Falkirk, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Dundee, Livingston, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Wycombe Wanderers and Dumbarton. His father Joe was also a footballer, who played for Partick Thistle and Celtic.

Early life

He was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. His father, Joe Craig, was playing for Blackburn Rovers at the time.{{cite web|title=Steven Craig|url=http://www.thethistlearchive.net/steven-craig|publisher=Thistle Archive}}

Career

Craig began his career as a youth player at Raith Rovers and after leaving the club in 2000, played one match for junior club Broxburn Athletic{{cite web|title=Toppling Raith will be ideal payback|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Toppling+Raith+will+be+ideal+payback.-a0236846530|publisher=Daily Record|date=11 September 2010|access-date=25 April 2014}} He then signed his first professional contract at Scottish First Division club Falkirk, signing initially for three months, but after scoring on his debut on 30 September 2000 against Livingston, he was given a three-year contract.{{cite web|title=THAT'S MY BAIRN; Hero Steven follows in his father's footsteps|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+THAT'S+MY+BAIRN%3B+Hero+Steven+follows+in+his+father's...-a065696543|publisher=Daily Record|last=Docherty|first=John|date=3 October 2000|access-date=25 April 2014}}

In January 2003, Craig moved to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.{{cite web|title=Butcher calls on Craig in bid for Rugby Park repeat|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/butcher-calls-on-craig-in-bid-for-rugby-park-repeat-1-638524|work=The Scotsman|date=29 January 2003|access-date=25 April 2014}} He made his debut for the club on 29 January 2003 in a 1–0 defeat against Kilmarnock{{cite web|title=Killie gain revenge|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2703707.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2003|access-date=25 April 2014}} and scored his first goal on 19 February 2003, in a 2–1 win against Dunfermline Athletic.{{cite web|title=Well dent Pars Euro hopes|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2778477.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=20 February 2003|access-date=25 April 2014}} On 5 June 2003, he signed a new one-year contract with the club.{{cite web|title=Motherwell complete triple signing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2966392.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=5 June 2003|access-date=25 April 2014}}

On 12 May 2004, Craig, along with Motherwell team-mate Derek Adams, signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen to join the club on 1 June 2004.{{cite web|title=Dons land Well duo|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/3654825.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2004|access-date=25 April 2014}} He made his debut on the opening day of the 2004–05 season against Rangers.{{cite web|title=Aberdeen 0–0 Rangers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3538018.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2004|access-date=25 April 2014}} On 24 August 2004, he scored against Berwick Rangers{{cite web|title=Aberdeen 3–0 Berwick|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3590854.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2004|access-date=25 April 2014}} then four days later, scored twice against Livingston in a 2–0 win.{{cite web|title=Aberdeen 2–0 Livingston|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3601310.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2004|access-date=25 April 2014}} These turned out to be his only goals for the club. After falling out of favour with Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood, Craig was allowed to go on trial with Belgian club Sint Truiden{{cite web|title=Dons forward courts Belgian move|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/4465025.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=20 April 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} and was placed on the transfer list at the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Whelan to leave as Dons cull six|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/4530177.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} He also went on trial at Bradford City,{{cite web|title=Craig joins Bradford on trial|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/4696739.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=19 July 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} At the end of the summer transfer window in August 2005, Craig was released by Aberdeen.{{cite web|title=Dunfermline turn to Craig for goals|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/dunfermline-turn-to-craig-for-goals-1-1092805|work=The Scotsman|date=1 September 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}}

After his release from Aberdeen, Craig had trials at Dunfermline Athletic{{cite web|title=Craig fails to win Pars contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/4205060.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} and Carlisle United.{{cite web|title=Simpson releases trialist Craig|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/4246382.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} On 15 September 2005, he signed for Dundee.{{cite web|title=Dundee sign up free agent Craig|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/4248380.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2005|access-date=25 April 2014}} After one season with Dundee, Craig signed for Livingston on 19 June 2006.{{cite web|title=Craig swaps Dundee for Livingston|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/5095994.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2006|access-date=25 April 2014}}

Craig signed for Ross County on 6 May 2008.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/ross_county/7386520.stm |title=Ross County make trio of signings |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2008 }} During the 2009–10 season he scored in Ross County's 2–0 victory against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi–final.{{cite web|title=Celtic 0–2 Ross County|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8609777.stm|work=BBC Sport|last=Gibson|first=Fraser|date=10 April 2010|access-date=25 April 2014}} He also started in the final, but was on the losing side as Dundee United won 3–0. In the 2010–11 season he scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out as Ross County beat Partick Thistle 4–3 on penalties to reach the Challenge Cup Final.{{cite web|title=Ross County 2–2 Partick Thistle (4–3 pen)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/9071590.stm|work=BBC Sport|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=10 October 2010|access-date=25 April 2014}} He was an unused substitute in the final as Ross County lifted the trophy, beating Queen of the South 2–0. He was also part of the squad as Ross County won the 2011–12 Scottish First Division and promotion to the top-flight for the first time. At the end of the season, he signed a new one-year contract with the club after turning down a move to Iceland.{{cite web|title=Michael Fraser and Steven Craig stay at Ross County|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18077001|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2012|access-date=25 April 2014}}{{cite news|title=Craig gives Iceland cold shoulder|url=http://www.highland-news.co.uk/Sport/Football/Ross-County/Craig-gives-Iceland-cold-shoulder-7903735.htm|publisher=Highland News|date=17 May 2012|access-date=27 May 2014}}

Craig left Ross County in August 2012 to sign for Partick Thistle on loan.{{cite web|title=STEVEN CRAIG SIGNS ON LOAN|url=http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2012-2013/august_2012/steven_craig_signs_on_loan|website=Ptfc.co.uk|date=30 August 2012|access-date=25 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901162736/http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2012-2013/august_2012/steven_craig_signs_on_loan|archive-date=1 September 2012}} After being released by Ross County, he then moved to Partick Thistle on a permanent basis on 1 January 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20881614 |title=Partick Thistle sign Steven Craig after Ross County exit |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport |date=1 January 2013 |access-date=1 January 2013}} Craig won a second successive Scottish First Division winners medal as Partick Thistle won the 2012–13 title, but at the end of the season he was informed by manager Alan Archibald that he would not be offered a new contract by the club.{{cite web|title=SPL dream dead and buried as gutted Craig axed by Jags|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/sfl/spl-dream-dead-and-buried-as-gutted-craig-axed-by-jags-122889n.20956053|work=Evening Times|date=1 May 2013|access-date=25 April 2014}}

Craig signed a one-year deal with Wycombe Wanderers on 22 July 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23408486|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Scottish striker Steven Craig|work=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2013|access-date=23 July 2013}} On 3 May 2014, he scored Wycombe's second goal in a 3–0 win against Torquay United on the final day of the season, a result which ensured the club avoided relegation from League Two.{{cite web|title=Torquay 0–3 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27168109|work=BBC Sport|last=Pilnick|first=Brent|date=3 May 2014|access-date=16 May 2014}} With Wycombe having secured their place in League Two for another season, Craig signed a contract extension to keep him at the club for another year.{{cite news|title=Craig extends Wycombe stay|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9325608/craig-extends-wycombe-stay|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 May 2014|access-date=27 May 2014}}

He joined Scottish Championship outfit Dumbarton in July 2015{{Cite web|url=https://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=1966|title=Dumbarton Football Club – DEAL AGREED WITH STRIKER|website=Dumbartonfootballclub.com|access-date=31 October 2021}} Making his first start the following week in a 2–1 victory over Hibernian{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33744899|title=Dumbarton 2–1 Hibernian|access-date=31 October 2021|website=Bbc.co.uk}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 defeat against Hibs in October 2015, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34493891|title=Hibernian 4 2 Dumbarton|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 October 2021}} However, Craig was released after just 6 months with the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=2249 |title=Striker departs the Rock |website=Dumbartonfootballclub.com |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=14 January 2016}}

On 8 February 2016, Craig signed a contract with Forfar Athletic in a deal until the end of the season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.forfarathletic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=6%3Anews&id=2217%3Aloons-sign-steven-craig&Itemid=27 |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074149/http://www.forfarathletic.co.uk/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=6%3Anews&id=2217%3Aloons-sign-steven-craig&Itemid=27 |url-status=dead }}

On 10 January 2022 he joined Gala Fairydean Rovers as Assistant Manager to Martin Scott.{{cite web |url=https://www.gfrfc.co.uk/single-post/scott-takes-charge-as-hastings-moves-on|title=SCOTT TAKES CHARGE AS HASTINGS MOVES ON|website=gfrfc.co.uk}}

Career statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other{{ref label\|Other\|A

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="2"|League

!colspan="2"|Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A

}

!colspan="2"|Total

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

|rowspan="4"|Falkirk

|2000–01

|27||5||2||0||0||0||0||0||29||5

|2001–02

|29||4||2||0||2||1||2||1||35||6

|2002–03

|4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0

!Total{{ref label|Falkirk|B|}}

!60!!9!!4!!0!!2!!1!!2!!1!!68!!11

|rowspan="3"|Motherwell

|2002–03

|13||2||2||1||0||0||0||0||15||3

|2003–04

|24||3||0||0||1||1||0||0||25||4

!Total

!37!!5!!2!!1!!1!!1!!0!!0!!40!!7

|rowspan="3"|Aberdeen

|2004–05

|14||2||1||0||2||1||0||0||17||3

|2005–06

|3||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||4||0

!Total

!17!!2!!1!!0!!3!!1!!0!!0!!21!!3

|rowspan="1"|Dundee

|2005–06

|20||6||3||1||0||0||0||0||23||7

|rowspan="3"|Livingston

|2006–07

|27||7||2||0||2||2||1||1||32||10

|2007–08

|28||5||4||1||2||1||0||0||34||7

!Total

!55!!12!!6!!1!!4!!3!!1!!1!!66!!17

|rowspan="6"|Ross County

|2008–09

|31||10||2||0||1||0||2||2||36||12

|2009–10

|24||5||5||4||2||1||2||1||33||11

|2010–11

|18||2||3||1||2||1||1||0||24||4

|2011–12

|26||4||3||1||2||1||1||0||32||6

|2012–13

|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

!Total{{ref label|County|C|}}

!99!!21!!12!!6!!6!!3!!6!!3!!123!!33

|rowspan="3"|Partick Thistle

|rowspan="2"|2012–13Note – Craig signed for Partick Thistle on loan initially before signing permanently on 1 January 2013

|8||5||2||0||0||0||2||2||12||7

|17||8||0||0||0||0||1||0||18||8

!Total

!25!!13!!2!!0!!0!!0!!3!!2!!30!!15

|rowspan="3"|Wycombe Wanderers

|2013–14

|27||4||3||1||1||0||2||0||33||5

|2014–15

|31||2||1||0||1||0||3||1||36||3

!Total

!58!!6!!4!!1!!2!!0!!5!!1!!69!!8

|Dumbarton

|2015–16

|11||1||1||0||1||0||1||0||14||1

|Forfar Athletic

|[2015–16]

|4||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||

!colspan="2"|Career total

!367!!75!!34!!10!!18!!9!!17!!8!!436!!102

:A. {{note|Other}} Other includes Scottish Challenge Cup and Football League Trophy.

:B. {{note|Falkirk}} Falkirk total includes two First Division appearances not recorded on soccerbase. One in 2001–02{{cite web|title=Scoreline flatters|url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/scoreline-flatters-1-293949|work=Falkirk Herald|date=15 November 2001|access-date=25 April 2014}} and one in 2002–03.{{cite web|title=Yogi: it's time to start fighting|url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/yogi-it-s-time-to-start-fighting-1-294213|work=Falkirk Herald|date=28 November 2002|access-date=25 April 2014}}

:C. {{note|County}} Ross County total includes one Scottish Cup and one Scottish Challenge Cup appearance and goal in 2008–09 not recorded on soccerbase.{{cite web|title=Dumbarton 1–2 Ross County|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7771918.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=15 December 2008|access-date=25 April 2014}}{{cite web|title=Clyde 0–1 Ross County|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7600893.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2008|access-date=25 April 2014}}