Darren Craddock

Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Craddock joined the Hartlepool United youth system in 2001. Craddock played at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup third-round tie against Manchester United alongside Antony Sweeney and Matty Robson. Man United won 3-2 (AET) and featured future stars such as Darren Fletcher, Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson. Craddock made his first team debut in a 4–0 victory over Whitby Town in the FA Cup first round on 8 November 2003. He joined Whitby Town on work experience in January 2004, where he made five appearances. He was handed his first professional contract by Hartlepool in June 2004, which was signed on 6 July. In 2005, Craddock played at the Millennium Stadium in front of 79,000 fans in the 2005 Football League One play-off final for Hartlepool against Sheffield Wednesday. He was signed by Conference National team York City on a one-month loan in January 2006. He was released by Hartlepool at the end of the 2005–06 season. He signed for York permanently in May 2006, following his release by Hartlepool. He was warned he could face a spell on the sidelines by manager Billy McEwan after receiving a one-match ban after he was booked for fouling Forest Green Rovers striker Allan Russell after losing possession on the halfway line. He missed the rest of the 2006–07 season due to a fractured jaw, which was sustained against Cambridge United. He was offered a new contract by York at the end of the 2006–07 season. He was placed on standby for…

As of 17 December 2011.