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Tony Crane

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Tony Crane
Personal information
Full name Anthony Steven Crane
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Position(s) Defender

Anthony Steven "Tony" Crane (born 8 September 1982 in Liverpool, England) is an English footballer, he is currently without a club after leaving Boston United in May 2008. Tony played professionally for Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town. His primary position is as a central defender, though in his earlier career years he played in a central midfield role and as a make shift striker.

Career

Sheffield Wednesday

Crane started his career with Sheffield Wednesday in 1999.[1] however following the clubs relegation from the Premiership, he failed to make an appearance in England's top division for The Owls. Despite this he settled down with The Owls playing a role in the clubs next three seasons in the First Division . Crane played in three positions for the club, in defence, midfield and as make shift striker. In May 2003, Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from the First Division, down with them came Grimsby Town after both clubs suffered poorly in a tough season. Following this, Crane shocked Owls supporters by leaving Hillsborough to sign for Grimsby on a free transfer, thus making him Town's first signing of the new season.[2] after both clubs had been relegated in the previous season.

Grimsby Town

After playing the majority of his football in midfield and attack at Hillsborough, Tony found himself installed as one the clubs first choice centre back, usually featuring alongside Mike Edwards, Simon Ford or Player-Manager Paul Groves. His career at Grimsby had its highs and its lows, on one side his passion and commitment for the club earned his respect amongst the clubs supporters, but despite being popular in that respect, he was sent off more than once for the club.

In his second season at Blundell Park Crane came foul to a nasty injury that would keep him out of the game for up to 8 months; despite returning late on in the 2004-2005 season he would not reclaim his position at the back until the following season. Following some decent performances in the clubs pre-season friendlies, Crane had cemented himself at the back with Rob Jones, thus seeing club captain Justin Whittle moved onto the substitute bench.

However a slight aggravation in his old injury saw Tony lose his place to Whittle in the team, and after this the player piled on weight and became alarmingly unfit by the standards of current Grimsby boss Russell Slade. Crane returned from injury but his chances were basically non-existent with Slade even choosing utility player Glen Downey as the defensive option on the bench ahead of Crane. Slade blasted Crane in late September for his poor fitness and lack of enthusiasm to shed weight, and he was loan listed come late October. In November 2005 Wrexham offered Crane an escape route, but strangely the player decided against the move. Also interested was Non-League side Worksop Town[3].

Worksop Town

Worksop had also recently signed former Grimsby forward Darren Mansaram on loan, and Crane made the move to Worksop on an initial three-month loan. With many people expecting Crane to return to Grimsby and fight for his place, he didn't and he moved to Worksop in January 2006 on a free transfer.[4] Tony played out the remainder of the season for the club, but soon attracted more attention from Welsh clubs with The Tigers turning down a bid for Crane from Newport County in December 2006.[5] In May 2007, Worksop were relegated from the Blue Square North division; this would be Tony's third career relegation. With finances low at Worksop, the majority of the squad left the club along with Crane.

Boston United

In June he joined Boston United on trial along with fellow former Grimsby players Jonathan Rowan, Matthew Bloomer and Adam Buckley. A month later Crane made the move to Boston a permanent one.[6] . Tony slotted in at centre back for the club, and his never say die attitude saw him become increasingly popular with United fans, similar to the affection shown to him by Grimsby supporters. His aerial presence had seen him score several headed goals and Boston boss Tommy Taylor was able to mould his defence around Crane. Despite his performances he became increasingly over weight, even more so than at his time at Grimsby, and once again he became under fire again by his own club manager. Taylor stated that Tony would find it a possibility to return to the professional game if he was able to lose required weight. He also blamed his weight for the reason that Tony was booked in nearly every game he played in. Crane continued to play week in week out for The Pilgrims but struggled to budge any weight and bulk as the season went along. [7]Following the close of the season, Crane and Boston parted company. He remains without a club since May 2008 and turned down an offer to sign for Ilkeston Town in order to concentrate on his new found fatherhood. In December following the sacking of Tommy Taylor, Boston's new manager Steve Welsh confirmed the club would like to resign Crane if he was fit enough.[8] .Crane was present in the clubs game with Frickley Athletic and commented a return to United could be on the cards.[9]

now plays at hallam FC

Notes

  1. ^ "Tony Crane". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  2. ^ "Grimsby snap up Crane". BBC Sport. 2003-10-06. Retrieved 2007-09-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Defender Crane attracts interest". BBC Sport. 2005-11-09. Retrieved 2007-09-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "BAD NEWS FOR TIGERS". NonLeagueDaily.com. 2005-01-02. Retrieved 2007-09-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "LONG-RANGE TRANSFER?". NonLeagueDaily.com. 2006-12-15. Retrieved 2007-09-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "THREE MORE NEW PILGRIMS". NonLeagueDaily.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-09-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-169963460.html
  8. ^ http://www.sportsecho.co.uk/football/boston_united/news/displayarticle.php?ID=5871
  9. ^ http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/boston-united-news/United-reach-for-Crane-lift.4827927.jp
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