Full name Jim Crawford Years Team Position Midfielder 1989–1991 Rangers Height 1.80 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Jim Crawford | |
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Date of birth (1973-05-01) 1 May 1973 (age 42) | ||
Place of birth Chicago, Illinois, US | ||
James Crawford (born 1 May 1973) is a retired footballer who played as a midfielder for Bohemian, Newcastle United, Rotherham United, Dundee United, Reading, Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal. Born in Chicago in the United States, he represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.
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Playing career
Crawford began his career at schoolboy level with Rangers before moving to Bohemian making his debut against Bray Wanderers on 3 November 1991. He soon became a big favourite at Dalymount Park and won the PFAI Young Player of the Year for the 1993–94 season.
Represented Republic of Ireland at the World Student Games in 1993.
This form attracted Newcastle United and he moved to Tyneside in 1995. While playing for Newcastle, Crawford found his first-team opportunities limited (scoring only once in a pre-season game against Derry City) and was sent out on loan to both Rotherham United and Dundee United before signing up for Reading in March 1998, with Tommy Burns at the helm. Burns was sacked and he failed to prove himself under the new managership.
Crawford's next destination was Shelbourne back in Ireland whom he helped to four League of Ireland championships. He signed a new one-year contract on 25 February 2007 with Shels as they got their preparations in place for the new First Division season following the FAI's decision to demote the reigning champions. He was swiftly appointed captain by new manager, Dermot Keely. Crawford's last seasons at Shelbourne were hampered by numerous injuries which limited his appearances. After eight immensely successful seasons at Shelbourne, Crawford departed the club in December 2007.
Crawford was quoted as saying:
Crawford joined newly formed Sporting Fingal in February 2008, though he retired through injury at the end of their first season. He then took over as interim manager at Shamrock Rovers after Pat Scully's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 16 October.