Jody Craddock

Cambridge United

Born in Redditch, Craddock started his career at non-league Christchurch before earning a move to third tier Cambridge United in August 1993 on a free transfer. He made his league debut on 11 December 1993 in a 0–0 draw with Stockport County.

Sunderland

After four seasons at Cambridge, his talent was noted by Sunderland and he joined for £300,000 in August 1997. His second season with the Black Cats saw him help them to promotion to the top level, however, he ended up spending part of their first Premier League campaign on loan at Sheffield United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

When Sunderland were relegated after four seasons in the Premier League in 2003, Craddock was sold to newly promoted Wolves for £1.75 million to replace the injured Joleon Lescott at centre back. He was made captain at the start of the 2006–07 season by new manager Mick McCarthy. He found himself sent to Stoke City on loan in August 2007 though, but this spell was cut short through the emergency 24-hour clause the following month. His 2008–09 season was interrupted when he broke a metatarsal in his foot in just the second league game, ruling him out for several months. After months of rehabilitation, Craddock was on the verge of a loan move, however injuries and loans meant that he stayed with the club. After a poor run of form for Richard Stearman, Craddock found himself once again in Wolves' first team, where he remained as the side went on to win the division…

In 2002 his four month old son Jake died in his sleep. After his football career ended, Craddock developed as an artist producing portraiture, graffiti and photorealism. His first exhibition of his works, entitles "Le Bellezza Della Fusione", was held in November 2015, at the Antidote Art Gallery in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

Sunderland

Football League First Division: 1998–99 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Football League Championship: 2008–09 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1996–97 Third Division Sunderland Player of the Year: 2001–02 Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2009–10