One
of the all time greats of Midlands
Non-League football, Ian Crawley aged
49, passed away at Myton Hospice,
Warwick, on Tuesday 8th July following
a two year battle against Motor Neurone
Disease.
He
was first diagnosed with MND in June
2006 and two months later with Pancreatic
Cancer for which he underwent successful
surgery on 8th November 2006.
Ian
Crawley, who was born in Coventry
on 18th May 1959, had the distinction
of being the holder of the unique
record of having scored the winning
and only goal in two football finals
at Wembley Stadium. In the 1983 FA
Vase for VS Rugby against Halesowen
Town and in the 1989 FA Trophy for
Telford United against Maccelsfield
Town.
The
former Newsagent and businessman leaves
wife of 25 years, Anita, daughter
Sophie (22) and son Jamie (17).
His father Tom was a goalscoring hero
in Non-League soccer circles including
Rugby Town and Ian’s grandfather,
also named Tom, played for Coventry
City and in the same Preston side
as Bill Shankly.
Ian’s
played football for Coventry Schools
Under 11’s whilst at Bishops
Ullathorne School where he had to
become a rugger fly-half for 2 years
– and played for the City Under
13’s.
At
weekends he played soccer for Mount
Nod in the Coventry & District
Sunday Youth League and served through
all age levels up to Nod’s maximum
of 16 before joining Europa, an Under
18 side.
As
a 16 year old, Ian joined Sphinx and
he duly notched 30 before Christmas
for them in the Coventry Alliance
Premier.
Ian was on his way to his memorable
non-league career with a move to Nuneaton
Borough in 1977.
Our
list shows appearances in all league
& cup games including those where
Ian came on as a substitute followed
by goals scored:
| Club |
Season(s) |
Games |
Goals |
| NUNEATON
BOROUGH |
1977/79 |
56 |
8 |
| BEDWORTH
UNITED |
1979/81 |
46 |
12 |
| V.S.
RUGBY |
1981/85 |
181 |
87 |
| KETTERING
TOWN |
1985/88 |
100 |
30 |
| TELFORD
UNITED |
1988/91 |
94 |
32 |
| V.S.
RUGBY |
1991/92 |
42 |
19 |
| TAMWORTH |
1992/93 |
47 |
20 |
| SOLIHULL
BOROUGH |
1993 |
23 |
1 |
| V.S.RUGBY |
1993/95 |
44 |
15 |
Ian
played 1 League Cup tie for V.S. RUGBY
in 1987 and scored 1 goal.
His
career total was 634 played 225 goals
scored.
V.S.RUGBY record, played 268 scored
122 goals.
The
‘Crawl’ always gave at
least 100% and his bravery meant at
times he suffered some bad injuries.
Only 18 days before the FA Vase final
he sustained a fractured cheekbone
in a West Midlands League game against
Wolverhampton United at Butlin Road
but with his great determination he
got there.
After
VS Rugby’s first ever relegation
in their history Ian helped them gain
an immediate return to the Southern
League Premier Division, finishing
the 1993/94 season, as Runners up
to Rushden & Diamonds in the Southern
League Midlands Division.
He
played for Sphinx in the Midland Combination
and also played in Over 35 and Charity
games.
|
