
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources
Career & Clubs
Crabtree began his career at Burnley, but left in 1890 and played in non-league football for two years before returning to Burnley for the 1892–93 season. Crabtree performances attracted the attention of FA Cup holders and, in 1895, became Aston Villa's record signing when he was purchased for £250. He played alongside Howard Spencer at left-half, and went on to share the captaincy of the club with him. He won League Championship medals with Villa in 1897, 1899 and 1900, he also lifted the FA Cup in as a part of the Aston Villa team that completed the Double in 1897. He was capped 11 times by England whilst at Villa. Crabtree joined Plymouth Argyle in January 1904 and made four appearances in the Southern League before injury forced him to retire. He then coached at several non-league clubs and later became a pub licensee in Birmingham.
- Club
- Burnley F.C. (1892–1895)
- Club
- England men's national association football team (1894–1902)
- Club
- Rossendale United F.C. (1890–1891)
- Club
- Burnley F.C. (1889–1890)
- Club
- Aston Villa F.C. (1895–1904)
- Club
- Plymouth Argyle F.C. (1904–1904)
- National team
- England
Legacy
Aston Villa Football League champions: 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–00 FA Cup winner: 1897
Clubs
Played together with
- Aaron BentleyPlymouth Argyle F.C. · 2014–2016
Aaron CresswellEngland men's national association football team · 2016
Aaron HughesAston Villa F.C. · 2005–2007
Aaron LennonBurnley F.C. · 2018–2020
Aaron LennonBurnley F.C. · 2021–2022
Aaron LennonEngland men's national association football team · 2006–2013
Aaron RamsdaleEngland men's national association football team · 2021
Aaron TshibolaAston Villa F.C.
Aaron Wan-BissakaAston Villa F.C. · 2026
Abbey-Leigh StringerAston Villa F.C. · 2015
Abbie McManusEngland men's national association football team- Abe HartleyBurnley F.C. · 1899–1900
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
James William Crabtree was a gifted English footballer of the end of the 19th century. Crabtree, alongside his great rival Ernest Needham, was described as the finest wing-half and the greatest player of all time by various teammates and journalists, including Sir Charles Clegg and Howard Spencer.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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