Craig Farrell (footballer)

Craig Farrell

Farrell playing for York City in 2007
Personal information
Full name Craig Wayne Farrell[1]
Date of birth (1982-12-05) 5 December 1982[1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position 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. 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.

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. 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
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2002–03[46] Premier League 00——0000
Carlisle United 2002–03[46] Third Division 331111—7[lower-alpha 1]24114
2003–04[47] Third Division 307102000337
2004–05[48] Conference National 18231—5[lower-alpha 2]3266
Total 8120522012510027
Exeter City 2005–06[11] Conference National 38810—6[lower-alpha 3]0458
York City 2006–07[16] Conference National 461020—3[lower-alpha 4]05110
2007–08[19] Conference Premier 20823—8[lower-alpha 5]33014
2008–09[49] Conference Premier 25310—4[lower-alpha 6]0303
Total 912153—15311127
Oxford United (loan) 2008–09[32] Conference Premier 152———152
Rushden & Diamonds 2009–10[34] Conference Premier 411130—4[lower-alpha 7]14812
2010–11[35] Conference Premier 27110—1[lower-alpha 3]0291
Total 681240—517713
AFC Telford United 2011–12[38] Conference Premier 16210—00172
Hinckley United 2011–12[42] Conference North 166——2[lower-alpha 3]0186
Career total 325711652040938385
  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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 5 "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. 1 2 "Games played by Craig Farrell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
    "Craig Farrell season details 2005/2006". Dundee Mad. 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 Flett, Dave (30 September 2008). "City goal ace Farrell craves a striking role". The Press. York. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  19. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  35. 1 2 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.
  37. ↑ "AFC Telford United sign Rushden striker Craig Farrell". BBC Sport. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  38. 1 2 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.
  41. ↑ "Hinckley Boss in bid for Quartet". Hinckley Times. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  42. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
    "FT: Morecambe 1 Carlisle 1 (AET): Morecambe win 3–1 on penalties". News and Star. Carlisle. 16 February 2005. 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.
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