View source for Tony Craig

{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tony Craig
| image = Tony Craig October 2015.jpg
| caption = Craig playing for [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in October 2015
| full_name = Tony Andrew Craig<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Crawley Town |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |access-date=20 September 2020 |publisher=English Football League |page=24}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1985|4|20}}<ref name="Hugman">{{Cite book |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |editor-last=Hugman |editor-first=Barry J. |page=99}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Greenwich]], England
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}<ref name="Hugman" />
| position = [[Central defender]], [[left back]]
| currentclub = [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]]
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2003
| youthclubs1 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| years1 = 2003–2007
| clubs1 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| caps1 = 79
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2004–2005
| clubs2 = → [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] (loan)
| caps2 = 14
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007–2008
| clubs3 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2008
| clubs4 = → [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] (loan)
| caps4 = 5
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2008–2012
| clubs5 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| caps5 = 121
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2011
| clubs6 = → [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (loan)
| caps6 = 4
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2012–2015
| clubs7 = [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]
| caps7 = 111
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2015–2018
| clubs8 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| caps8 = 65
| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2018–2020
| clubs9 = [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]
| caps9 = 97
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 2020–2023
| clubs10 = [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]]
| caps10 = 89
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2023
| clubs11 = → [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]] (loan)
| caps11 = 16
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2023–
| clubs12 = [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]]
| caps12 = 80
| goals12 = 1
| club-update = 14:36, 21 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
'''Tony Andrew Craig''' (born 20 April 1985) is an English professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[central defender]] for {{English football updater|DorkingW}} club [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]].

Craig began his career at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] and made over 320 appearances across four spells with the club. Craig also played League football for [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] and [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]]. He dropped into [[non-League football]] to join Dorking Wanderers in 2023.

==Playing career==

===Millwall===

==== 2003–2004 ====
Craig began his career in the [[youth system|youth ranks]] at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]],<ref name="millwallfc">{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig&nbsp;– Defender&nbsp;– First Team |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/tony-craig/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001235/https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/tony-craig/ |archive-date=15 January 2018 |access-date=13 January 2018 |website=Millwall FC |language=en-gb}}</ref> the club he supports.<ref name="Long" /> Adept as a [[central defender]] or a [[left back]],<ref name="millwallfc" /> he received his maiden call into the first team squad for a [[Football League First Division|First Division]] league match against [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] on 5 April 2003 and was an unused substitute during the 1–0 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/31689/tony-craig?season=2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034642/http://www.espnfc.com/player/31689/tony-craig?season=2002 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |access-date=28 July 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC}}</ref> Craig made his professional debut with a starting appearance in a 3–3 draw with [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] on 26 April 2003 and lasted 67 minutes before being substituted for [[Robbie Ryan (footballer)|Robbie Ryan]].<ref name="Soccerbase0203">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2002|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> He started in the final game of the [[2002-03 in English football|2002–03]] season at home to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] and scored the first senior goal of his career in the 2–0 win, with the opener on 51 minutes.<ref name="Soccerbase0203" /> Craig began the [[2003-04 Millwall F.C. season|2003–04]] season as a virtual ever-present, making 10 appearances, before dropping out of the matchday squad entirely in October 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/31689/tony-craig?season=2003 |access-date=13 January 2018 |website=ESPN FC}}</ref>

==== 2004–05 season ====
Craig was again out of favour with manager [[Dennis Wise]] during the [[2004-05 Millwall F.C. season|2004–05]] season and joined [[EFL League Two|League Two]] club [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] on a one-month [[Loan (football)|loan]] on 22 October 2004,<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2004 |title=More Loans |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~579942,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071949/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~579942,00.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=wycombewanderers.co.uk}}</ref> which was later extended to 22 January 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2004 |title=Craig Stays |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~588193,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005074820/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~588193,00.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=wycombewanderers.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2004 |title=Loan Signing And Possible Extension |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~602092,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071854/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~602092,00.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=4 October 2018 |website=wycombewanderers.co.uk}}</ref> He made 18 appearances for the Chairboys.<ref name="Soccerbase" /> Craig made 10 Millwall appearances during the second half of the 2004–05 season.<ref name="Soccerbase0405">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2004|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>

==== 2005–2007 ====
Under new manager [[Colin Lee]], Craig made sporadic appearances during the opening two months of the [[2005-06 Millwall F.C. season|2005–06]] season, before cementing a regular place in the team in late 2005 under replacement manager [[Dave Tuttle]].<ref name="Soccerbase0506">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2005|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> Despite getting two [[Red card (association football)|red cards]], Craig finished the 2005–06 season with 33 appearances,<ref name="Soccerbase0506" /> but began the [[2006–07 Millwall F.C. season|2006–07]] season in [[Football League One|League One]] after Millwall's relegation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Millwall Complete History |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/millwall/history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402125218/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/millwall/history |archive-date=2 April 2016 |access-date=13 January 2018 |website=Statto.com}}</ref> Craig had a suspension and injury-affect first half of the 2006–07 season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Craig remains an injury doubt |url=http://www.millwall-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/craig_remains_an_injury_doubt_306578/index.shtml |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=Millwall MAD}}</ref> but was a regular pick after the New Year and finished the campaign with 32 appearances and one goal, which was scored on the final day versus Bradford City.<ref name="Soccerbase0607">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2006|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> Craig departed the club in June 2007, having made 87 appearances and scored two goals in his four years as a first team player.<ref name="Soccerbase" />

===Crystal Palace===
On 27 June 2007, Craig joined [[Football League Championship|Championship]] club [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2007 |title=Eagles Net Lions Defender |url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/0,,10323~1062321,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005111819/http://www.cpfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/0,,10323~1062321,00.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=5 October 2018 |website=cpfc.co.uk}}</ref> He started 13 of the Eagles' opening 14 games,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/31689/tony-craig?season=2007 |access-date=5 October 2018 |website=ESPN FC}}</ref> but a shoulder injury suffered in a 0–0 draw with [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] on 3 November 2007 put him out of action for the next four months.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2007 |title=Craig injury twist |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1851267.print/ |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=Lancashire Telegraph}}</ref> Upon his return to fitness, Craig returned to Millwall, still in League One, on a one-month loan on 27 March 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2008 |title=Tony returns |url=http://www.millwallfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~1275706,00.html |access-date=5 October 2018 |website=millwallfc.co.uk}}</ref> He made five appearances and scored against [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] in the final match of his spell, before returning to Crystal Palace on 27 April.<ref name="Soccerbase" /><ref name="holmesdale">{{Cite web |date=29 April 2008 |title=Craig returns to Eagles |url=http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=3903 |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=Holmesdale.net}}</ref> He departed [[Selhurst Park]] in July 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2008 |title=Craig Becomes A Lion |url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/0,,10323~1342627,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005083406/http://www.cpfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/0,,10323~1342627,00.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |access-date=5 October 2018 |website=cpfc.co.uk}}</ref>

===Return to Millwall===

==== 2008–09 season ====
Craig signed permanently for the second time with Millwall on 11 July 2008, on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2008 |title=Millwall clinch signing of Craig |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/7503348.stm |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> He made a personal-best 52 appearances during the [[2008-09 Millwall F.C. season|2008–09]] season, scoring two goals and helping Millwall to a place at [[Wembley Stadium]] for the [[2009 Football League One play-off final|2009 League One play-off final]] versus Scunthorpe United.<ref name="Soccerbase0809">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2008|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> Goals from [[Gary Alexander (footballer)|Gary Alexander]] put the Lions 2–1 ahead, but second-half strikes from [[Matt Sparrow]] and [[Martyn Woolford]] sent Scunthorpe to the Championship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2009 |title=Millwall 2–3 Scunthorpe |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8060955.stm |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref>

==== 2009–10 season ====
Craig was in and out of the team during the [[2009-10 Millwall F.C. season|2009–10]] season and could not hold down a regular place until December 2009.<ref name="Soccerbase0910">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2009|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> In the absence of [[Paul Robinson (footballer born 1982)|Paul Robinson]], Craig took over the [[Captain (association football)|captaincy]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hall |first=David |title=Thoughts of a Millwall Optimist: Five Years in the Life of a Millwall Fan |date=15 November 2010 |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |isbn=9781445620466 |language=en}}</ref> He made 35 appearances and scored two goals to help Millwall to the play-off final for the second season in succession.<ref name="Soccerbase0910" /> Though Craig was forced off with a broken [[metatarsal]] on 44 minutes, Millwall prevailed in the [[2010 Football League One play-off final|2010 League One play-off final]] and were promoted to the Championship after a 1–0 win over [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]].<ref name="Fletcher" />

==== 2010–2012 ====
Craig had a mixed [[2010-11 Millwall F.C. season|2010–11]] season back in the Championship, having spells as a starter through the middle of the campaign and finishing with 26 appearances.<ref name="Soccerway" /> Craig began the [[2011-12 Millwall F.C. season|2011–12]] season as a regular starter, but fell out of favour and joined League One club [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] on a one-month loan on 24 November 2011, as cover for the departed [[Charlie Daniels (footballer)|Charlie Daniels]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2011 |title=O's bag Lions defender on loan |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11735/7330814/os-bag-lions-defender-on-loan |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref> Craig made four appearances for Orient and was recalled by Millwall on 28 December,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2011 |title=Lions recall Craig from Orient |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11735/7399269/lions-recall-craig-from-orient |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref> but he didn't reclaim his starting position until the final month of the season.<ref name="Soccerway" /> Craig left [[The Den]] in July 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 July 2012 |title=TC a Bee |url=http://www.millwallfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~2848272,00.html |access-date=5 October 2018 |website=millwallfc.co.uk}}</ref> having made 141 appearances and scored four goals during his third stint with the club.<ref name="Soccerbase" />

===Brentford===

==== 2012–13 season ====
On 13 July 2012, Craig transferred to League One club [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] on 13 July 2012 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tony Craig deal complete |language=en-gb |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/tony-craig-deal-complete_57098 |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> In Craig's [[2012–13 Brentford F.C. season|first season]] with Brentford, he appeared in all but four of the Bees' matches and finished with 55 appearances.<ref name="Soccerbase1213">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2012|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> The season ended with defeat to [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] in the [[2013 Football League One play-off final|2013 League One play-off final]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 May 2013 |title=Brentford 1–2 Yeovil |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499110 |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> Looking back in 2023, Craig stated that due to "how the full-back game was progressing; how there was a lot more forward play and they were better on the ball", he was eager to transition to centre back.<ref name="Long">{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dan |title=On the Rise: Tony Craig |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/interviews-tony-craig-brentford-2013-14-league-one-promotion |access-date=12 December 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Playing in a possession-based team, he asserted that his improvement on the ball helped prolong his post-Brentford career.<ref name="Long" />

==== 2013–14 season ====
After missing the first match of the [[2013–14 Brentford F.C. season|2013–14]] season through an ankle knock,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=6 August 2013 |title=Tony Craig ruled out of clash with Daggers |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tony-craig-ruled-out-of-clash-with-daggers-8748036.html |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=London Evening Standard}}</ref> Craig was again an ever-present starter until he received a red card during a 0–0 draw with Carlisle United on 31 August 2013.<ref name="Soccerbase1314">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2013|accessdate=28 July 2014}}</ref> After serving his suspension, Craig returned to the starting lineup and despite breaking two bones in his hand during a 2–1 victory over [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] on 24 January 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2014 |title=Brentford 2–1 Gillingham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25771730 |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> he saw out the match and played the subsequent matches with his hand in a cast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Street |first=Tim |date=5 February 2014 |title=Brentford defender in cast for another month |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-defender-cast-another-month-6674013 |access-date=14 April 2014 |publisher=Get West London}}</ref> Craig held the captaincy for much of the season (in place of the injured [[Kevin O'Connor (footballer born 1982)|Kevin O'Connor]]) and jointly lifted the League One runners-up trophy with O'Connor after the final game of the season against [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] on 3 May.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amos |first=Stuart |date=23 February 2014 |title=Captain Craig: Hard work starts now for Brentford |url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/11030443.Captain_Craig__Hard_work_starts_now_for_Brentford/ |access-date=28 July 2014 |publisher=Your Local Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='The Stuff Of Dreams' For Tony Craig |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/the-stuff-of-dreams-for-tony-craig_62350 |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was voted the Brentford [[Brentford F.C. Player of the Year|Players' Player of the Year]] for the 2013–14 season.<ref name="awards">{{Cite web |title='The Ultimate Honour' For Tony Craig |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/the-ultimate-honour-for-tony-craig_62441 |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==== 2014–15 season ====
Craig began the [[2014-15 Brentford F.C. season|2014–15]] Championship season alongside [[James Tarkowski]] in central defence and started each of the club's first five games,<ref name="Soccerbase1415">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2014|accessdate=8 February 2015}}</ref> before receiving his first red card of the season on 23 August 2014, for bringing down former teammate [[Clayton Donaldson]] in the box after 16 minutes of a 1–1 draw with [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Brentford 1–1 Birmingham City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28815291 |access-date=8 February 2015}}</ref> While suspended, Craig was replaced by [[Harlee Dean]] in the starting lineup and lost his place in the team for the first time since arriving at [[Griffin Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=17 July 2015 |title=Tony Craig on his Brentford career, Benham's 'brave' changes and fan support |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tony-craig-reflects-brentford-career-9668325 |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=MyLondon |language=en}}</ref> He signed a new {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract on 11 November,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |date=11 November 2014 |title=Brentford Manager Mark Warburton hails "tremendous news" as defender Tony Craig signs new deal |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/november/tony-craig-signs-new-brentford-contract/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714113051/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/november/tony-craig-signs-new-brentford-contract/ |archive-date=14 July 2022 |access-date=8 February 2015 |publisher=Brentford F.C.}}</ref> but again lost his starting place to Dean in January 2015 and fell out of the squad entirely when [[Liam Moore]] arrived on loan in late February.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brentford sign Leicester City's England Under-21 defender Liam Moore on loan |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-sign-leicester-citys-england-under-21-defender-liam-moore-on-loan_70258 |access-date=14 February 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> After Moore was dropped in early March,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=14 March 2015 |title=Why Leicester loanee Liam Moore didn't play for Brentford against Cardiff |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-explains-leicester-defenders-8843592 |access-date=16 September 2018}}</ref> Craig returned to the bench, but did not appear again before the end of the season.<ref name="Soccerway" /> Craig finished the 2014–15 season with 24 appearances and departed Griffin Park on 4 July 2015,<ref name="Soccerbase1415" /> when his contract was terminated by mutual consent.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tony Craig leaves Brentford |language=en-gb |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/tony-craig-leaves-brentford_71440 |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> Craig made 129 appearances during three seasons with Brentford.<ref name="Soccerbase">{{Soccerbase|id=34861}}</ref>

===Fourth spell with Millwall===

==== 2015–16 season ====
On 4 July 2015, it was announced that Craig had dropped back down to League One to sign a two-year contract with newly-relegated Millwall on a [[Free transfer (association football)|free transfer]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tony Craig signs two-year deal with Millwall |language=en-gb |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2015/july/tony-craig-signs-two-year-deal-with-millwall/ |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> He began the [[2015–16 Millwall F.C. season|2015–16]] season as a regular,<ref name="Soccerbase1516">{{Soccerbase season|id=34861|season=2015|accessdate=13 January 2018}}</ref> before suffering a serious knee injury during a 0–0 draw with Bradford City on 31 October 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Injury update on Millwall skipper Craig |language=en-gb |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2015/november/injury-latest-on-lions-skipper-tony-craig/ |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> He returned to fitness in April 2016 and appeared in each of the Lions' [[2017 English Football League play-offs|play-off matches]], but was on the end of another Wembley defeat in the [[2016 Football League One play-off final|final]] versus [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].<ref name="Soccerbase1516" />

==== 2016–17 season ====
Craig was awarded a [[Testimonial match|testimonial]] versus Brentford during the [[2016–17 Millwall F.C. season|2016–17]] [[pre-season]], which finished in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2016 |title=Millwall 1 Brentford 1 |language=en-gb |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/millwall-1-brentford-1_67730 |access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> Craig made a career-high 57 appearances during the 2016–17 season and played in a second-successive play-off [[2017 EFL League One play-off final|final]],<ref name="Soccerbase1617" /> in which he captained the Lions to promotion to the Championship with a 1–0 victory over [[Bradford City]].<ref name="Hunt" /> He made just eight appearances during the first half of the [[2017–18 Millwall F.C. season|2017–18]] season,<ref name="Soccerbase1718" /> before departing The Den for the final time on 31 January 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lions stalwart Craig leaves Millwall |language=en-gb |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/lions-stalwart-craig-leaves-millwall/ |access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref> Across his four spells with Millwall, Craig made 324 appearances and scored 9 goals.<ref name="Soccerbase" />

===Bristol Rovers===
On 1 February 2018, Craig moved to League One club [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rovers Sign Defender Tony Craig |language=en-gb |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2018/february/tonycraigjoins/ |access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref> Over the course of the following {{frac|2|1|2}}-years, Craig was a near ever-present and made 120 appearances, scoring seven goals.<ref name="Soccerbase" /> He was released at the end of the [[2019-20 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2019–20]] season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2020 |title=Retained List Announced |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/june/bristol-rovers-retained-list/ |access-date=15 June 2020 |website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk}}</ref>

===Crawley Town===
On 1 August 2020, Craig signed a two-year contract with League Two club [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2020 |title=Tony Craig joins Yems' Reds |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2020/august/tony-craig/ |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=crawleytownfc.com |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |language=en-gb}}</ref> He made 82 appearances and scored one goal during two mid-table seasons and signed a new two-year contract in April 2022.<ref name="Soccerbase2021" /><ref name="Soccerbase2122" /><ref name="Crawley Town F.C.">{{Fchd|id=CRAWLEYT|name=Crawley Town F.C.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten Sign New Contracts |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2022/april/ten-sign-new-contracts/ |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=www.crawleytownfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Craig was again a regular during the first half of the [[2022–23 Crawley Town F.C. season|2022–23]] season,<ref name="Soccerbase2223" /> before being dropped from the matchday squad at the turn of the year.<ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway|id=15804|access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref> After playing the remainder of the season away on loan,<ref name="DorkingLoan" /> he agreed a mutual termination of his contract June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig Departs |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2023/june/tony-craig-departs/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=www.crawleytownfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> During three seasons at the [[Broadfield Stadium]], Craig made 102 appearances and scored eight goals.<ref name="Soccerbase" />

=== Dorking Wanderers ===
On 13 February 2023, Craig joined [[National League (division)|National League]] club [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]] on loan until the end of the [[2022–23 National League|2022–23]] season.<ref name="DorkingLoan">{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig Joins Dorking On Loan |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2023/february/tony-craig-joins-dorking-on-loan/ |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=www.crawleytownfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Craig's performances during the remainder of February saw him named the club's Player of the Month.<ref name="POTM">{{Cite tweet |number=1633191755897085955 |user=DorkingWDRS |title=𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 🏆 Your @Stonegate_Homes Player of the Month for February is Tony Craig. Congratulations Tony 👏}}</ref> He made 16 appearances during his spell and signed a two-year contract with the club on 2 June 2023.<ref name="Soccerbase2223" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2023 |title=Tony Craig Joins The Wanderers |publisher=[[Dorking Wanderers F.C.]] |url=https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/__tcr |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref> Craig made 36 appearances and scored one goal during a [[2023–24 National League|2023–24]] season that culminated in relegation to the [[National League South]].<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref name="FCHD">{{Fchd|id=DORKINGW|name=Dorking Wanderers F.C.}}</ref> Craig made 50 appearances during a [[2024–25 National League|2024–25]] season in which the club reached the National League South playoff quarter finals and the [[Surrey Senior Cup]] Final.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref name="FCHD" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dorking Wanderers vs Walton & Hersham |url=https://dwfc.co.uk/matches/2024-25/11281/dorking-wanderers-vs-walton-hersham/ |access-date=15 May 2025 |website=dwfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> He shared the club's Players' Player of the Year award with Jimmy Muitt and was retained for the [[2025–26 National League|2025–26]] season.<ref name="PPOTY">{{Cite Instagram |postid=DJKV7HOtYop |user=dwfcofficial |title=Players' Player of the Season: Jimmy Muitt & Tony Craig |date=2 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our 2025/26 Squad is confirmed |url=https://dwfc.co.uk/2025/06/our-2025-26-squad-is-confirmed/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=dwfc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
As of March 2020, Craig was studying for his [[UEFA A Licence]].<ref name="Mason">{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Tom |last2=Frost |first2=Sam |date=2 March 2020 |title=Craig on Rovers future, coaching career plans and life away from family |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tony-craig-bristol-rovers-future-3904520 |access-date=11 March 2020 |website=bristolpost}}</ref> During the 2019–20 season, he assisted with the [[Coach (association football)|coaching]] of Bristol Rovers' U15 and U23 teams.<ref name="Mason" />

==Personal life==
Craig was born in [[Greenwich]] in [[London]], but grew up in [[Thamesmead]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liew |first=Jonathan |date=11 March 2017 |title=Millwall's local hero Tony Craig 'living the dream' and hoping to summon spirit of the Den |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/11/millwalls-local-hero-tony-craig-living-dream-looking-summon/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fifield |first=Dominic |date=11 March 2017 |title=Millwall's Tony Craig: 'All those scars show the sort of player I am' |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/11/millwall-tony-craig-scars-tottenham-fa-cup |access-date=3 August 2020 |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> He is a Millwall supporter.<ref name="Long" />

==Career statistics==
{{updated|match played 6 May 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[EFL Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
|[[2002–03 Football League First Division|2002–03]]<ref name="Soccerbase0203" />
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|2||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||1
|-
|[[2003–04 Millwall F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name="Soccerbase0304">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2003|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
|First Division
|9||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||10||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Millwall F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="Soccerbase0405" />
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|10||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||10||0
|-
|[[2005–06 Millwall F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name="Soccerbase0506" />
|Championship
|28||0||2||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||33||0
|-
|[[2006–07 Millwall F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="Soccerbase0607" />
|[[Football League One|League One]]
|30||1||0||0||1||0||1<ref name="FLT" group="lower-alpha">Appearance(s) in [[EFL Trophy]]</ref>||0||32||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!79!!2!!2!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!87!!2
|-
|[[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] (loan)
|[[2004–05 Football League Two|2004–05]]<ref name="Soccerbase0405" />
|[[Football League Two|League Two]]
|14||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||18||0
|-
|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
|[[2007–08 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="Soccerbase0708">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2007|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|13||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||14||0
|-
|Millwall (loan)
|[[2007–08 Millwall F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="Soccerbase0708" />
|League One
|5||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2 |—||colspan="2"|—||5||1
|-
|rowspan="5"|Millwall
|[[2008–09 Millwall F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="Soccerbase0809" />
|League One
|44||2||3||0||1||0||4<ref group="lower-alpha">3 appearances in [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]], 1 appearance in [[EFL Trophy]]</ref>||0||52||2
|-
|[[2009–10 Millwall F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name="Soccerbase0910" />
|League One
|30||2||2||0||0||0||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]]</ref>||0||35||2
|-
|[[2010–11 Millwall F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name="Soccerbase1011">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2010|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|24||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||26||0
|-
|[[2011–12 Millwall F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="Soccerbase1112">{{Soccerbase season|34861|2011|accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|23||0||2||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||28||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!121!!4!!8!!0!!5!!0!!7!!0!!146!!5
|-
|[[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (loan)
|[[2011–12 Leyton Orient F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="Soccerbase1112" />
|League One
|4||0||0
|0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]
|[[2012–13 Brentford F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="Soccerbase1213" />
|League One
|44||0||7||0||1||0||3<ref group="lower-alpha">2 appearances in [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]], 1 appearance in [[EFL Trophy]]</ref>||0||55||0
|-
|[[2013–14 Brentford F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="Soccerbase1314" />
|League One
|44||0||4||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||50||0
|-
|[[2014–15 Brentford F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="Soccerbase1415" />
|Championship
|23||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||24||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!111!!0!!11!!0!!3!!0!!4!!0!!129!!0
|-
|rowspan="4"|Millwall
|[[2015–16 Millwall F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref name="Soccerbase1516" />
|League One
|18||1||0||0||1||0||5<ref group="lower-alpha">3 appearances in [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]], 2 appearances in [[EFL Trophy]]</ref>||0||24||1
|-
|[[2016–17 Millwall F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref name="Soccerbase1617">{{soccerbase season|34861|2016|accessdate=3 September 2017}}</ref>
|League One
|43||1||6||0||1||0||7<ref group="lower-alpha">4 appearances in [[EFL Trophy]], 3 appearances in [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]]</ref>||0||57||1
|-
|[[2017–18 Millwall F.C. season|2017–18]]<ref name="Soccerbase1718">{{soccerbase season|34861|2017|accessdate=3 September 2017}}</ref>
|Championship
|4||0||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||8||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!270!!9!!20!!0!!14!!0!!20!!0!!324!!9
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]
|[[2017–18 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2017–18]]<ref name="Soccerbase1718" />
|League One
|17||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||1
|-
|[[2018–19 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref name="Soccerbase1819">{{soccerbase season|34861|2018|accessdate=15 August 2018}}</ref>
|League One
|46||2||2||0||2||0||3<ref name="FLT" group="lower-alpha" />||1||53||3
|-
|[[2019–20 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref name="Soccerbase1920">{{soccerbase season|34861|2019|accessdate=3 August 2019}}</ref>
|League One
|34||2||6||1||1||0||4<ref name="FLT" group="lower-alpha" />||0||45||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!97!!5!!8!!1!!3!!0!!7!!1!!120!!7
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]]
|[[2020–21 Crawley Town F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name="Soccerbase2021">{{soccerbase season|34861|2020|accessdate=1 August 2020}}</ref>
|League Two
|38||0||3||0||1||0||0||0||42||0
|-
|[[2021–22 Crawley Town F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="Soccerbase2122">{{soccerbase season|34861|2021|accessdate=7 August 2021}}</ref>
|League Two
|35
|1
|1
|0
|1
|0
|3<ref name="FLT" group="lower-alpha" />
|0
|40
|1
|-
|[[2022–23 Crawley Town F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref name="Soccerbase2223">{{soccerbase season|34861|2022|accessdate=9 August 2022}}</ref>
|League Two
|16
|0
|1
|0
|1
|0
|2<ref name="FLT" group="lower-alpha" />
|0
|20
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!89
!1
!5
!0
!3
!0
!5
!0
!102
!8
|-
|[[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]] (loan)
|[[2022–23 National League|2022–23]]<ref name="Soccerbase2223" />
|[[National League (division)|National League]]
|16
|0
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|16
|0
|-
| rowspan="3" |Dorking Wanderers
|[[2023–24 National League|2023–24]]<ref name="Soccerway" />
|National League
|35
|1
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|1<ref name="FAT" group="lower-alpha">Appearance in [[FA Trophy]]</ref>
|0
|36
|1
|-
|[[2024–25 National League|2024–25]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Craig {{!}} Player Profile |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/tony-craig/40664 |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=Aylesbury United Archive}}</ref>
|[[National League South]]
|45
|0
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|4<ref group="lower-alpha">2 appearances in [[Surrey Senior Cup]], 1 appearance in [[National League South]] play-offs, 1 appearance in [[FA Trophy]]</ref>
|0
|50
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!96
!1
!1
!0
! colspan="2" |—
!5
!0
!102
!1
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!694!!16!!47!!1!!24!!0!!43!!1!!808!!18
|}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== Honours ==
'''Millwall'''
*[[Football League One play-offs]]: [[2010 Football League play-offs#League One|2010]], [[2017 English Football League play-offs#League One|2017]]<ref name="Fletcher">{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |date=29 May 2010 |title=Millwall 1–0 Swindon |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8701538.stm |access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="Hunt">{{Cite news |last=Hunt |first=Josh |date=20 May 2017 |title=Bradford City 0–1 Millwall |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39905619 |access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref>

'''Brentford'''
*[[Football League One]] second-place promotion: [[2013–14 Football League One|2013–14]]<ref>{{Cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4722-1251-1 |editor-last=Anderson |editor-first=John |location=London |pages=74–75}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Brentford F.C. Player of the Year|Brentford Players' Player of the Year]]: [[2013–14 Brentford F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="awards" />
* [[Dorking Wanderers F.C.|Dorking Wanderers]] Players' Player of the Year: [[2024–25 National League|2024–25]] (shared)<ref name="PPOTY" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}
*[https://dwfc.co.uk/player/tony-craig/ Tony Craig] at dwfc.co.uk

{{Dorking Wanderers F.C. squad}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Craig, Tony}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Bexley]]
[[Category:Footballers from the Royal Borough of Greenwich]]
[[Category:People from Greenwich]]
[[Category:People from Thamesmead]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Millwall F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players]]
[[Category:Brentford F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crawley Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Dorking Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]