Jim Crawford (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jim Crawford is an American born Irish
former footballer
before moving to Bohemian
making his debut against Bray Wanderers on 3 November 1991. He soon became a big favourite at Dalymount Park
and won the PFAI Young Player of the Year for the 1993/94 season.
Represented Republic of Ireland
at the World Student Games in 1993.
This form attracted Newcastle United
and he moved to Tyneside in 1995. While playing for Newcastle, Crawford found his first-team opportunities limited (scoring only once in a pre-season game against Derry City) and was sent out on loan to both Rotherham United
and Dundee United
before signing up for Reading
in March 1998, with Tommy Burns at the helm. Burns was sacked and he failed to prove himself under the new managership.
Crawford's next destination was Shelbourne
back in Ireland whom he helped to four League of Ireland
championships. He signed a new one year contract on 25 February 2007 with Shels as they got their preparations in place for the new First Division season following the FAI
's decision to demote the reigning champions. He was swiftly appointed captain by new manager, Dermot Keely
. Crawford's last seasons at Shelbourne were hampered by numerous injuries which limited his appearances. After eight immensely successful seasons at Shelbourne, Crawford departed the club in December 2007.
Crawford was quoted as saying:
Crawford joined newly formed Sporting Fingal
in February 2008, though he retired through injury at the end of their first season. He then took over as interim manager at Shamrock Rovers
after Pat Scully
's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 16 October until the end of the 2008 season.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former footballer
Playing career
Crawford began his career at schoolboy level with RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
before moving to Bohemian
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
making his debut against Bray Wanderers on 3 November 1991. He soon became a big favourite at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
and won the PFAI Young Player of the Year for the 1993/94 season.
Represented Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at the World Student Games in 1993.
This form attracted Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and he moved to Tyneside in 1995. While playing for Newcastle, Crawford found his first-team opportunities limited (scoring only once in a pre-season game against Derry City) and was sent out on loan to both Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
and Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
before signing up for Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
in March 1998, with Tommy Burns at the helm. Burns was sacked and he failed to prove himself under the new managership.
Crawford's next destination was Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
back in Ireland whom he helped to four League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
championships. He signed a new one year contract on 25 February 2007 with Shels as they got their preparations in place for the new First Division season following the FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
's decision to demote the reigning champions. He was swiftly appointed captain by new manager, Dermot Keely
Dermot Keely
Dermot Keely, is the former manager of Irish football team Shelbourne.-Family:Keely's family have played League of Ireland football at various levels. His late father Peter Keely played for Shelbourne, his brother Joe played on the same Home Farm FAI Cup winning side of 1775 as Dermot Keely himself...
. Crawford's last seasons at Shelbourne were hampered by numerous injuries which limited his appearances. After eight immensely successful seasons at Shelbourne, Crawford departed the club in December 2007.
Crawford was quoted as saying:
Crawford joined newly formed Sporting Fingal
Sporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
in February 2008, though he retired through injury at the end of their first season. He then took over as interim manager at Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
after Pat Scully
Pat Scully
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Scully is an Irish football manager, currently in charge of Limerick in the League of Ireland...
's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 16 October until the end of the 2008 season.
Club
Shelbourne:- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 2001–02, 2003, 2004, 2006