Ian Craney Signs For Fleetwood Town
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 1:38 pmFleetwood Town have made a significant addition to their squad ahead of their first season in the Blue Square Bet Premier with the signing of Ian Craney.
The attacking midfielder has made 132 Football League starts as well as being part of Accrington Stanley’s victorious Conference-winning team in 2005-06. Ian has also scored 24 League and Cup goals for his four League clubs.
Liverpool-born Craney cannot wait for the season to start, having closely watched Town’s progress in the Conference North.
‘I’ve been following the promotion push all through the season. It’s been really exciting and I came on the last day of season to see them being promoted. I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the set-up and the ambition surrounding the club. Then I got talking to Micky Mellon and the rest is history!’
There are some familiar faces amongst Craney’s new team-mates:
‘I know some of the players, including Anthony Barry, Steve McNulty and Peter Cavanagh, and I went to school with Mike Taylor. I was also at Accrington and Huddersfield with ‘SOS’ (team physio, Ian Liversedge).’
Craney’s footballing journey has taken him around a number of north western clubs:
‘I was at Everton as kid then went to Runcorn before Mark Ward took me to Altrincham where I had 4 or 5 great seasons and did really well.’
Craney averaged one goal per 4 games at Moss Lane. In 2004, Accrington Stanley gave him the opportunity to go full-time which was a big decision to make:
‘I had a good job at the time but the chance to go full-time was a dream. I’m glad I did it because in my second season we won the Conference and went into the Football League.’
Since leaving Stanley in 2007, Craney has played for Swansea City, Huddersfield Town and, most recently, Morecambe. Craney signed at Christie Park for the 2009-10 season on loan from Huddersfield. After 16 League and two Cup appearances for the Shrimps, his season was cut short by injury. He believes that his experience will help the squad and looks forward to offering ‘desire and leadership, as well as skill and craft on the pitch.’
‘I’m a ball player and like getting the ball down and playing it around. I’ve played at a good standard and won this league before so know what it takes. Micky Mellon has produced a good little squad at Fleetwood and there’s a great chance of going up again. That’s what we should be aiming for, otherwise there’s no point in being in the league.’
Having witnessed the support of the Cod Army in the play-off final, Craney is eager to play in front of them:
‘I’ve been impressed by the Cod Army and didn’t expect a fan base like that in Conference North. I can’t wait to start. I shall be watching the World Cup and going away for a couple of weeks but want to be flying by the opening match on 14th August and be fully fit after a good pre-season.’
27-year old Craney clearly has the ambition and desire to become a key part of an ambitious set-up, as well as a crowd favourite.
The midfielder joins Town subject to a medical later this week and Micky Mellon welcomed his first signing of the summer.
“I’m delighted we have signed a player of such quality. Ian will, no doubt, help us compete in a very strong Conference National league next season.”
The attacking midfielder has made 132 Football League starts as well as being part of Accrington Stanley’s victorious Conference-winning team in 2005-06. Ian has also scored 24 League and Cup goals for his four League clubs.
Liverpool-born Craney cannot wait for the season to start, having closely watched Town’s progress in the Conference North.
‘I’ve been following the promotion push all through the season. It’s been really exciting and I came on the last day of season to see them being promoted. I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the set-up and the ambition surrounding the club. Then I got talking to Micky Mellon and the rest is history!’
There are some familiar faces amongst Craney’s new team-mates:
‘I know some of the players, including Anthony Barry, Steve McNulty and Peter Cavanagh, and I went to school with Mike Taylor. I was also at Accrington and Huddersfield with ‘SOS’ (team physio, Ian Liversedge).’
Craney’s footballing journey has taken him around a number of north western clubs:
‘I was at Everton as kid then went to Runcorn before Mark Ward took me to Altrincham where I had 4 or 5 great seasons and did really well.’
Craney averaged one goal per 4 games at Moss Lane. In 2004, Accrington Stanley gave him the opportunity to go full-time which was a big decision to make:
‘I had a good job at the time but the chance to go full-time was a dream. I’m glad I did it because in my second season we won the Conference and went into the Football League.’
Since leaving Stanley in 2007, Craney has played for Swansea City, Huddersfield Town and, most recently, Morecambe. Craney signed at Christie Park for the 2009-10 season on loan from Huddersfield. After 16 League and two Cup appearances for the Shrimps, his season was cut short by injury. He believes that his experience will help the squad and looks forward to offering ‘desire and leadership, as well as skill and craft on the pitch.’
‘I’m a ball player and like getting the ball down and playing it around. I’ve played at a good standard and won this league before so know what it takes. Micky Mellon has produced a good little squad at Fleetwood and there’s a great chance of going up again. That’s what we should be aiming for, otherwise there’s no point in being in the league.’
Having witnessed the support of the Cod Army in the play-off final, Craney is eager to play in front of them:
‘I’ve been impressed by the Cod Army and didn’t expect a fan base like that in Conference North. I can’t wait to start. I shall be watching the World Cup and going away for a couple of weeks but want to be flying by the opening match on 14th August and be fully fit after a good pre-season.’
27-year old Craney clearly has the ambition and desire to become a key part of an ambitious set-up, as well as a crowd favourite.
The midfielder joins Town subject to a medical later this week and Micky Mellon welcomed his first signing of the summer.
“I’m delighted we have signed a player of such quality. Ian will, no doubt, help us compete in a very strong Conference National league next season.”
