Player Database: Tony Crane

By: Mike Gray
Date: 20/06/2007

I love this bloke!!!He was a very "you either loved him or hated him" kind of player. Crane would some weeks put in a blinding performance at centre back, but some weeks would be an absolute liability and would cock up anything and everything.

He was very passionate, and hot headed, he was the sort of player who would get the fans going, and it was like having your own Grimsby Town football hooligan playing on the pitch. The guy was an absolute nutcase, many a times, Crane would get booked or sent off, for petty reasons such as arguing with officials or knocking out opposing strikers. The 6-1 home win against Barnsley in 2004, I see to remember us cruising at 5-0, and as I was gazing around, suddenly I noticed Tykes striker Danny Nardiello sparked out on the floor not moving, and Craney walking away with his hands in the air.

He was a tall gangly, muscular character signed in June 2003 on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday, having being in the Owls' squad since their final Premiership season in 1999/2000.

Crane went in straight at the back and played the majority of the doomed 03/04 campaign, but an injury setback prevented him from taking part in all of the following season bar the last month.

And so the man returned back to first team football, properly the following season, and got himself on the scoresheet against Oxford United on the first day of the season. Suddenly Crane's spot at the back was re-taken by club captain Justin Whittle, and soon he was not visible on the bench.

A transfer-listed and hugely unfit Crane joined Conference North side Worksop Town on a 3 month loan, which shocked many Town fans, but still with Russell Slade concerned with his lack of professionalism towards his personal fitness, he was no longer capable of playing at a professional level while in this condition.

After his loan spell, Crane turned down Wrexham and signed for Worksop permanently, where he remains despite the club's relegation to the Unibond Premier Division.

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