Craig Farrell (footballer)

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Craig Farrell
Farrell.jpg
Farrell playing for York City in 2007
Personal information
Full name Craig Wayne Farrell[1]
Date of birth (1982-12-05) 5 December 1982 (age 38)[1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1991–1998 Middlesbrough
1998–2002 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002 Leeds United 0 (0)
2002 → Carlisle United (loan) 7 (3)
2002–2005 Carlisle United 74 (17)
2005–2006 Exeter City 38 (8)
2006–2009 York City 91 (21)
2009 → Oxford United (loan) 15 (2)
2009–2011 Rushden & Diamonds 68 (12)
2011–2012 AFC Telford United 16 (2)
2012 → Hinckley United (loan) 4 (1)
2012 Hinckley United 12 (5)
2012 Blyth Spartans
2012–2015 Whitby Town
Total 325 (71)
National team
1999 England U16 3 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Craig Wayne Farrell (born 5 December 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Club career[]

Early career[]

Farrell was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, where he grew up and attended Beechwood First School as a child.[2] He played for local sides Cleveland Juniors and Marton Boys, before joining the youth system of hometown club Middlesbrough, who he supported as a boy, at the age of eight.[2] He was offered at trial at Leeds United at 15, and after scoring five goals in two games he was offered a four-year contract at the club.[2] He signed his first professional contract at the club in August 2002,[2] after which he joined Third Division club Carlisle United on a one-month loan on 7 October.[3] Following a successful loan spell at Carlisle, Farrell signed for the club permanently on a three-year contract in November for a fee that could have risen to £50,000 depending on appearances.[4] He was placed on Carlisle's transfer list in November 2003 as part of manager Paul Simpson's clear-out.[5] He said he was prepared to wait patiently to earn a regular place in the first team, saying "Karl and Magno have both been playing really well, so I can't really say much. I've only started one game this season in the LDV. I've got to keep working as hard as I can and make sure when my chance comes I take it."[6] He was released by Carlisle in May 2005, along with teammates Kevin Henderson, Carlos Roca, Brian Shelley and Chris Beech.[7]

Exeter City[]

Farrell signed for Conference National side Exeter City on 5 August 2005 on a one-year contract.[8] Soon after joining Exeter, Farrell said he felt the club had the belief and the right kind of players to get promoted, saying: "The players are confident, and we have a really good side here. It's very similar to the Carlisle United side of last year which I got promoted with."[9] He was released by Exeter in May 2006[10] after scoring eight goals in forty-five appearances in 2005–06.[11]

York City[]

Farrell joined York City of the Conference National on 27 June 2006.[12] He scored his first goal for York in a 2–2 home draw with Southport on 23 September 2006.[13] York's manager Billy McEwan set Farrell a target of fifteen goals for 2006–07 during February 2007.[14] He played through the last two months of the season with torn muscle fibres in his thigh.[15] After finishing the season with ten goals in fifty-one appearances[16] the club exercised their option to extend his contract for another season.[17]

Farrell playing for York City in 2007

He started 2007–08 playing as a right winger,[18] and after making seven appearances during the season was unable to feature for over a month due to poor form and a thigh problem.[19][20] After a struggle to regain fitness, Farrell made his return after coming on as a sixty-ninth-minute substitute against Southern Football League Division One Midlands side Rushall Olympic in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and proceeded to score the third fastest hat-trick in York's history and provide an assist for a fourth goal.[21] Following this, he was voted as Player of the Round for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.[22] York offered him a new contract for 2008–09 in April 2008,[23] which he signed in May.[24]

Farrell scored a goal and made two assists during the 3–3 draw at Stevenage Borough in October 2008 after playing as a striker alongside Onome Sodje, which he hoped would see him play in that position on further occasions.[18] York manager Colin Walker challenged him to affirm himself as a striker, and was guaranteed a place in the team for their game against Cambridge United; the first time he would have started consecutive games since August 2008.[25] He suffered a groin strain during York's 0–0 draw with Mansfield Town in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, which meant he missed the replay at Field Mill.[26] Conference North club Gateshead attempted to sign Farrell on loan in January 2009 for the remainder of 2008–09,[27] but he rejected this offer, saying he was not interested in moving down a division.[28] On 31 January 2009, he joined fellow Conference Premier side Oxford United on loan until the end of the season .[29] He made his debut a day later in a 2–1 victory over Lewes.[30] His first goal came in the following game against Barrow, after being assisted by Lewis Haldane, in a game that finished 3–0.[31] He finished the spell with fifteen appearances and scored two goals.[32]

Rushden & Diamonds[]

Farrell playing for Rushden & Diamonds in 2010

Farrell joined Rushden & Diamonds on 12 June 2009, as part of an exchange deal plus £10,000 from York, for striker Michael Rankine.[33] Farrell missed only three games for Rushden in 2009–10, making forty-eight appearances and scoring twelve goals,[34] playing as either a target man or the right hand side of a three-man attack.[citation needed] Having scored one goal from twenty-nine matches in 2010–11,[35] he was released by Rushden in May 2011.[36]

AFC Telford United[]

Farrell signed for newly promoted Conference Premier club AFC Telford United on 27 June 2011 on a free transfer following his release from Rushden.[37] After making seventeen appearances and scoring two goals for AFC Telford[38] he was loaned out to Conference North side Hinckley United on 4 January 2012.[39] He departed from Telford by mutual consent on 31 January.[40]

Hinckley United[]

Upon release from Telford, Farrell signed a contract for Hinckley United in February 2012, where he had spent the previous month on loan.[41] He scored Hinckley's final goal of 2011–12 against Stalybridge Celtic in the last game of the season on 28 April 2012.[42] He made eighteen appearances and scored six goals for Hinckley in 2011–12.[42]

Blyth Spartans[]

Farrell signed for newly relegated Northern Premier League Premier Division team Blyth Spartans on 9 June.[43] He made eighteen appearances for Blyth, scoring seven goals.[citation needed]

Whitby Town[]

On 16 November 2012, Farrell joined Blyth's divisional rivals Whitby Town, making his debut in a 3–1 defeat at the Turnbull Ground, against Ashton United.[citation needed] He retired in February 2015 due to a serious hip injury.[44]

International career[]

Farrell played for the England national under-16 team at the 1999 UEFA European Under-16 Championship and scored in a 3–1 victory over Slovakia.[2] He was capped three times by the under-16 team in 1999.[45]

Career statistics[]

Farrell playing for AFC Telford United in 2011
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2002–03[46] Premier League 0 0 — — 0 0 0 0
Carlisle United [46] Third Division 33 11 1 1 — 7[a] 2 41 14
2003–04[47] Third Division 30 7 1 0 2 0 0 0 33 7
2004–05[48] Conference National 18 2 3 1 — 5[b] 3 26 6
Total 81 20 5 2 2 0 12 5 100 27
Exeter City [11] Conference National 38 8 1 0 — 6[c] 0 45 8
York City 2006–07[16] Conference National 46 10 2 0 — 3[d] 0 51 10
2007–08[19] Conference Premier 20 8 2 3 — 8[e] 3 30 14
2008–09[49] Conference Premier 25 3 1 0 — 4[f] 0 30 3
Total 91 21 5 3 — 15 3 111 27
Oxford United (loan) [32] Conference Premier 15 2 — — — 15 2
Rushden & Diamonds [34] Conference Premier 41 11 3 0 — 4[g] 1 48 12
[35] Conference Premier 27 1 1 0 — 1[c] 0 29 1
Total 68 12 4 0 — 5 1 77 13
AFC Telford United [38] Conference Premier 16 2 1 0 — 0 0 17 2
Hinckley United 2011–12[42] Conference North 16 6 — — 2[c] 0 18 6
Career total 325 71 16 5 2 0 40 9 383 85
  1. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in Conference League Cup
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in Conference National play-offs
  5. ^ Six appearances and three goals in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference League Cup
  6. ^ Two appearances in Conference League Cup, two in FA Trophy
  7. ^ Two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference Premier play-offs

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2004). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2004/2005. Edinburgh: Queen Anne Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-85291-660-2.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Growing Up". OfficialPlayerSites.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Collins chases Glennon". BBC Sport. 7 October 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Carlisle in double swoop". BBC Sport. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Wake leaves Cumbrians". BBC Sport. 20 November 2003. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Farrell waits for chance". BBC Sport. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Cumbrians make sweeping changes". BBC Sport. 18 May 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Inglethorpe hails Mackie capture". BBC Sport. 5 August 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Farrell upbeat on Exeter chances". BBC Sport. 19 August 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Grecians release veteran striker". BBC Sport. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Games played by Craig Farrell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
    "Craig Farrell season details 2005/2006". Dundee Mad. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  12. ^ "York in swoop for striker Farrell". BBC Sport. 27 June 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Boss McEwan hails striker Farrell". BBC Sport. 25 September 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  14. ^ Flett, Dave (2 February 2007). "McEwan sets Farrell scoring challenge". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  15. ^ Flett, Dave (18 May 2007). "Classy worker". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b Batters, David (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 408–409, 420–421. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  17. ^ Flett, Dave (16 May 2007). "Midfielder Steve among eight released by City". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Flett, Dave (30 September 2008). "City goal ace Farrell craves a striking role". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 410–411, 420–421.
  20. ^ Flett, Dave (21 September 2007). "Striker Beardsley wants to prove his 'Worth". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  21. ^ Flett, Dave (29 October 2007). "Returning hero Farrell fires ten-minute hat-trick to sink Olympic". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  22. ^ Carroll, Steve (8 November 2007). "Faz on way". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  23. ^ Flett, Dave (26 April 2008). "Panther packed off". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  24. ^ Carroll, Steve (1 May 2008). "Faz signs fresh Minstermen deal". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  25. ^ Flett, Dave (3 October 2008). "City boss lays down challenge for Farrell". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  26. ^ Flett, Dave (28 October 2008). "Absence of Craig Farrell and Richard Brodie leaves Colin Walker with three fit strikers for key York City FA Cup replay". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  27. ^ Bowron, Jeff (23 January 2009). "Gateshead boss Bogie looking for a top show". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle upon Tyne. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  28. ^ Flett, Dave (30 January 2009). "York City centre-back David McGurk ruled out of FA Trophy trip to Kidderminster Harriers". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Oxford sign York striker Farrell". BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Oxford Utd 2–1 Lewes". BBC Sport. 1 February 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Oxford Utd 3–0 Barrow". BBC Sport. 14 February 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b Williams; Wright (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2010. pp. 126–127.
  33. ^ "York sign Rushden striker Rankine". BBC Sport. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 164–165. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  36. ^ "Craig Farrell". Rushden & Diamonds F.C. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011.[dead link]
  37. ^ "AFC Telford United sign Rushden striker Craig Farrell". BBC Sport. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  39. ^ "Busy Andy Sinton shuffling his AFC Telford pack". Shropshire Star. Telford. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  40. ^ "Another signing – and two departures". AFC Telford United. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
  41. ^ "Hinckley Boss in bid for Quartet". Hinckley Times. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b c Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 222–223.
  43. ^ "Former striker joins Spartans". Vital York. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  44. ^ "Former striker retires". Vital York. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  45. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1999). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1999–2000. Headline Publishing Group. p. 859. ISBN 0-7472-7627-7.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b "Games played by Craig Farrell in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  47. ^ "Games played by Craig Farrell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  48. ^ "Craig Farrell season details 2004/2005". Dundee Mad. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
    "FT: Morecambe 1 Carlisle 1 (AET): Morecambe win 3–1 on penalties". News and Star. Carlisle. 16 February 2005. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  49. ^ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 162–163. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.

External links[]

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