Adam Crookes

Adam Crookes

Personal information
Full name	Adam Mark Crookes [1]
Date of birth	(1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 (age 26) [2]
Place of birth	Lincoln, England [3]
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [4]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	York City
Number	3
Youth career
	St. Helen's
	Navenby
2005–2019	Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2019	Nottingham Forest	0	(0)
2017–2018	→ Guiseley (loan)	15	(0)
2018–2019	→ Lincoln City (loan)	0	(0)
2019	→ Port Vale (loan)	19	(0)
2019–2021	Port Vale	30	(1)
2021–2022	Grimsby Town	24	(0)
2022–	York City	43	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:55, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

Adam Mark Crookes (born 18 November 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club York City.

A graduate of the Nottingham Forest Academy, he captained the under-18's to the Professional Development League 2 title in the 2015–16 season. He spent part of the 2017–18 campaign on loan at Guiseley and was loaned out to Lincoln City and Port Vale the following season, before joining Vale permanently on a two-year contract in May 2019. He signed with Grimsby Town in July 2021 and moved on to York City in June 2022.

Early and personal life

Born in Lincoln, ^[5] Crookes attended Priory City of Lincoln Academy. ^[6] His agent is Phil Sproson. ^[5]

Career

Nottingham Forest

Crookes began his career with St. Helen's and Navenby before signing for Nottingham Forest at eight. ^[6] He captained Forest's under-18 team to the Professional Development U18 League 2 title and the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup in the 2015–16 season. ^[7] In an interview with the Nottingham Post in November 2017, he said that, "I thought I've been playing quite strongly and hopefully I can push on, and maybe the gaffer (Mark Warburton) is going to have a look at me. If not, I'll look to go on loan." ^[8] He moved on loan to struggling National League side Guiseley the following month. ^[9] He made his senior debut on 20 December, in a 2–1 defeat at Gateshead in the FA Trophy. ^[10] He made his league debut at Nethermoor Park three days later in a 1–1 draw with Aldershot Town. ^[11] Having established himself in the first-team for Paul Cox's "Lions", the loan was later extended until the end of the 2017–18 season. ^[12] However, he was recalled by Forest manager Aitor Karanka in March 2018, after making 16 appearances. ^[13]

He moved on loan to his hometown club, Lincoln City, in August 2018 after impressing manager Danny Cowley on trial. ^{[6] [14]} He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 28 August, as the "Imps" fell to a 4–1 defeat at Championship side Blackburn Rovers. ^[15] However, he failed to break into the first-team for the League Two leaders and was recalled to the City Ground in January 2019, having made only four further EFL Trophy appearances at Sincil Bank. ^[16]

Port Vale

On 14 January 2019, Crookes joined struggling League Two side Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season. ^{[17] [18]} Manager Neil Aspin state that "A natural left-footer in the defence is something we've not had and he'll compete for a place". ^[19] He made his debut in the English Football League in a 1–0 win at Crawley Town on 19 January. ^[20] He maintained his first-team place under new manager John Askey, impressing both playing on the left of a back three and at left-back in a back four. ^[21] Assistant manager Dave Kevan said that Crookes had good character and that the management team would monitor his availability in the summer. ^[22] Nottingham Forest released Crookes on 13 May 2019. ^[23] However, his agent Phil Sproson revealed that he had received contract offers from Vale and another, unnamed club. ^[24] He signed a two-year deal with Port Vale on 31 May. ^[25]

He began the 2019–20 season playing at left-back and said that he had been studying Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson to improve his performance in the role. ^[26] He maintained his first-team place until a "freakish training accident" saw him sidelined in late-October. ^[27] He returned to training after a four-month layoff, but was unable to add to his 17 starts before the season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. ^{[28] [29]}

He struggled for playing time at the start of the 2020–21 season as he was behind centre-backs Nathan Smith, Leon Legge and Shaun Brisley in the pecking order, though impressed the management after filling in at left-back in the absence of Cristian Montaño and David Fitzpatrick. ^[30] He scored his first goal in professional football on 30 January, in a 5–1 home win over Southend United. ^[31] He started new manager Darrell Clarke's first two games in charge, playing left-back in a 4–4–2 and then left-sided centre-back in a 3–5–2 formation. ^[32] However, he was one of 15 players released at the end of the season. ^[33]

Grimsby Town

He signed a one-year contract with National League club Grimsby Town on 9 July 2021; manager Paul Hurst said he had been aware of Crookes for some time and that former manager Clarke had spoken well of him. ^{[34] [35]} He played 24 league games in the 2021–22 campaign, helping the "Mariners" to qualify for the play-offs with a sixth-place finish. ^[36] Grimsby secured promotion with victory in the play-off final. However, Crookes was not in the matchday squad at London Stadium. ^[37] On 11 June, the club announced their retained list and confirmed that Crookes would be released upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the month. ^[38]

York City

On 30 June 2022, Crookes joined newly promoted National League club York City, alongside Grimsby teammate Scott Burgess, both of whom had played under York manager John Askey at Port Vale. ^[39] He recovered from an injury early in the season and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2023. ^[40] He was named in the National League Team of the Week on 9 April following good performances against Chesterfield and Barnet. ^[41] He made 23 appearances in the 2023–24 season, ^[36] after having missed the final six weeks with a hamstring injury. ^[42]

Playing style

Crookes has been described as "a left-sided defender equally comfortable playing left-sided centre back or at left back [who] can also play as a defensive midfielder if required". ^[5]

Career statistics

As of match played 20 April 2024

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Nottingham Forest	2017–18 [43]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2018–19 [44]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Guiseley (loan)	2017–18 [36]	National League	15	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	16	0
Lincoln City (loan)	2018–19 [44]	League Two	0	0	0	0	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 2]	0	5	0
Port Vale (loan)	2018–19 [44]	League Two	19	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	0
Port Vale	2019–20 [45]	League Two	14	0	0	0	1	0	2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	17	0
	2020–21 [46]	League Two	16	1	1	0	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 2]	0	22	1
	Total		49	1	1	0	2	0	6	0	58	1
Grimsby Town	2021–22 [36]	National League	24	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	25	0
York City	2022–23 [36]	National League	22	3	0	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 1]	0	26	3
	2023–24 [36]	National League	21	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	23	2
	Total		43	5	2	0	0	0	4	0	49	5
Career total			131	6	3	0	3	0	14	0	153	6

1. Appearance in the FA Trophy.
2. Appearances in the EFL Trophy.

Honours

Nottingham Forest

• Professional Development League 2: 2015–16 ^[7]

References

1. "Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
2. Adam Crookes at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
3. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2020/2021". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
4. Baggaley, Michael (16 January 2019). "Port Vale talking points: Who impressed for the reserves at Grimsby". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
5. Michael Baggaley (14 January 2019). "Who is Adam Crookes? All about Port Vale's signing from Nottingham Forest". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
6. "Local lad Crookes signs for the season". Lincoln City F.C. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
7. "Adam Crookes - Defender - Under 23s - Nottingham Forest". www.nottinghamforest.co.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
8. Cooper, Barry (20 November 2017). "Joe Worrall an inspiration to younger stars at Forest, says Adam Crookes". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
9. Matt Davies (15 December 2017). "Nottingham Forest defender Adam Crookes joins Guiseley on loan". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
10. Hewitt, Matty. "Gateshead 2-1 Guiseley – Gateshead FC". gateshead-fc.co.uk.
11. "Guiseley 1-1 Aldershot Town". BBC Sport. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
12. Cooper, Barry (16 January 2018). "Forest defender Adam Crookes to spend rest of the season at Guiseley". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
13. Matt Davies (27 March 2018). "Nottingham Forest recall young defender Adam Crookes from Guiseley". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
14. "Adam Crookes: Lincoln City sign Nottingham Forest defender on season-long loan deal". BBC Sport. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
15. "Blackburn Rovers 4-1 Lincoln City: Rovers remain unbeaten in all competitions". BBC Sport. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
16. "Defender Recalled by Forest". Lincoln City F.C. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
17. "Adam Crookes joins the Vale on loan". Port Vale F.C. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
18. "Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest defender on loan". BBC Sport. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
19. "Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign Nottingham Forest defender on loan". BBC Sport. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
20. "Crawley Town v Port Vale". BBC Sport. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
21. Baggaley, Michael (19 March 2019). "Nottingham Forest defender on his future after impressing at Port Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
22. Baggaley, Michael (20 March 2019). "Port Vale likely to put Nottingham Forest defender on list of targets". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
23. "Forest confirm retained list". www.nottinghamforest.co.uk. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
24. Smith, Peter (29 May 2019). "Ex-Nottingham Forest left-back mulling over two offers". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
25. "Adam Crookes: Port Vale sign defender signs on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
26. Baggaley, Michael (11 October 2019). "Port Vale's Adam Crookes studying the best as he develops as a left back". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
27. Spinks, Martin (29 October 2019). "Port Vale defender latest after freakish injury". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
28. Baggaley, Michael (28 February 2020). "Latest from John Askey's press conference as Port Vale welcome back defender". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
29. Baggaley, Michael (9 June 2020). "Every Port Vale player reviewed and rated for 2019/20 season". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
30. Baggaley, Michael (6 November 2020). "'Not surprised' - Port Vale management verdict on Adam Crookes". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
31. "Port Vale 5-1 Southend United". BBC Sport. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
32. Baggaley, Michael (23 February 2021). "Port Vale player ratings from frustrating Stevenage stalemate". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
33. "2020/21 Retained List". Port Vale F.C. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
34. "Grimsby Town sign former Port Vale defender Adam Crookes". Grimsbylive. 9 July 2021 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
35. "Crookes Pens Mariners Deal". www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
36. Adam Crookes at Soccerway
37. Peddy, Chris (5 June 2022). "Grimsby beat Solihull Moors to seal EFL return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
38. "Mariners Retained List Announced - Grimsby Town Football Club". gtfc.co.uk. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
39. Simmonite, Dan (30 June 2022). "Grimsby duo Burgess and Crookes sign on for new season". www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
40. Archer, Kieran (18 January 2023). "Defender Adam Crookes commits next two and half years to Minstermen after signing new contract". www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
41. Kennedy, Emma (9 April 2023). "York City defender named in National League Team of Week". York Press. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
42. Ramsey, Gabriel (4 March 2024). "Hinshelwood rules out York City's Adam Crookes for six week period". York Press. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
43. "Games played by Adam Crookes in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
44. "Games played by Adam Crookes in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
45. "Games played by Adam Crookes in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
46. "Games played by Adam Crookes in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2020.