Tom Crawford (English footballer)

Tom Crawford

Crawford warming up for Hartlepool United in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-05-30) 30 May 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Chester, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.86 m) [1]
Position(s)	Central midfielder
Team information
Current team	Altrincham
Youth career
	Stoke City
2014–2017	Chester
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2018	Chester	17	(1)
2017	→ Runcorn Town (loan)	6	(0)
2017–2018	→ Leek Town (loan)	5	(0)
2018–2020	Notts County	12	(1)
2019	→ AFC Fylde (loan)	8	(2)
2020–2024	Hartlepool United	101	(6)
2024–	Altrincham	24	(4)
International career
2018	England C	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:33, 18 January 2025 (UTC)

Tom Crawford (born 30 May 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for National League club Altrincham.

Club career

Early career

Tom Crawford was born in Blacon ^[2] and began his career with Stoke City, before being released at the age of 15. He then joined the Academy of Chester. ^[3] He made his senior debut for Chester in the 2017–18 season. ^[4] During the 2017–18 season he also spent loan spells at Runcorn Town and Leek Town. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

After rejecting a new contract with Chester, he signed for Notts County in May 2018. ^{[7] [8]} He made his professional debut on 14 August 2018 in the EFL Cup against Middlesbrough, in which he scored his first goal for the club. ^[9] He joined AFC Fylde on loan on 24 January 2019 until the end of the 2018–19 season. ^[10] On 12 August 2019 the club announced that Crawford could go out on loan. ^[11] He was released by the club at the end of the 2019–20 season. ^[12]

Hartlepool United

On 24 August 2020, Crawford signed for National League side Hartlepool United, rejoining old AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor. ^[13] Early in Crawford's Hartlepool career he struggled with injury but he became a regular starter for the side during the 2021–22 season. ^[14] On 19 February 2022, Crawford scored his first league goal for Hartlepool in a 1–1 draw at home to Sutton United. ^[15] In April 2022, he signed a new two-year contract with Hartlepool. ^[16] In November 2022, due to an ongoing ankle injury, Crawford underwent surgery which ruled him out until late in the 2022–23 campaign. ^[17] In April 2023, Crawford returned from injury, coming on as an 85th minute substitute in a 2–1 win against Swindon Town. ^[18] He made his 100th Hartlepool appearance in November 2023. ^[19] In the 2023–24 season, Crawford received 12 yellow cards in 39 appearances. ^[20] He was released by Hartlepool United at the end of the 2023–24 season having made 120 appearances during his four seasons with the club. ^{[21] [1]}

Altrincham

On 1 July 2024, Crawford joined National League side Altrincham. ^[22] He scored his first goal for Altrincham in a 2–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on 24 September 2024. ^[23]

International career

He made his debut for England C as a substitute in May 2018 against Republic of Ireland amateurs. ^[2]

Career statistics

As of 18 January 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chester	2017–18 [1]	National League	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
Runcorn Town	2017–18 [24]	NWCFL Premier Division	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Leek Town	2017–18 [25]	NPL Division One South	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Notts County	2018–19 [26]	League Two	4	0	0	0	1	1	1 [a]	0	6	1
	2019–20 [1]	National League	8	1	0	0	0	0	4 [b]	1	12	2
	Total		12	1	0	0	1	1	5	1	18	3
AFC Fylde (loan)	2018–19 [1]	National League	8	2	0	0	0	0	8 [c]	0	16	2
Hartlepool United	2020–21 [1]	National League	17	0	2	1	0	0	1 [b]	0	20	1
	2021–22 [27]	League Two	28	1	3	0	0	0	7 [a]	0	38	1
	2022–23 [28]	League Two	17	0	0	0	1	0	3 [a]	0	21	0
	2023–24 [1]	National League	39	5	1	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	41	5
	Total		101	6	6	1	1	0	12	0	120	7
Altrincham	2024–25	National League	24	4	2	1	0	0	2	3	28	8
Career total			173	14	8	2	2	1	27	4	210	21

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. 6 appearances in the FA Trophy and 2 appearances in the National League play-offs

Honours

AFC Fylde

• FA Trophy: 2018–19 ^[29]

Hartlepool United

• National League play-offs: 2021 ^[30]

References

1. Tom Crawford at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
2. Dave Powell (28 May 2018). "Chester FC midfielder Tom Crawford makes England C debut". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
3. Charlie Croasdale (2 May 2018). "Tom Crawford: Build a team around Chester FC academy stars". Chester Standard. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
4. Dave Powell (24 April 2018). "Chester FC teenager Tom Crawford tipped for a bright future". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
5. Dave Powell (30 October 2017). "Chester FC youngster Tom Crawford starts loan spell with a win". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
6. "Leek Borrow Young Chester Midfielder". Pitchero Non-League News. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
7. Dave Powell (30 May 2018). "Chester FC midfielder Tom Crawford signs for Notts County". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
8. "Tom Crawford: Notts County sign Chester midfielder for an undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
9. "Games played by Tom Crawford in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
10. Leigh Curtis (24 January 2019). "Tom Crawford leaves Notts County to join AFC Fylde on loan". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
11. Curtis, Leigh (12 August 2019). "Notts County to allow trio to leave the club on loan". nottinghampost.
12. Watson, Chris (4 August 2020). "Notts County release five players as retained list is revealed". nottinghampost.
13. "Pools sign Tom Crawford". Hartlepool United FC Official Site. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
14. Matty Jones (8 April 2022). "Tom Crawford commits future to Hartlepool United by signing a new contract". Northern Echo. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
15. "Hartlepool 1–1 Sutton: Tom Crawford rescues draw for hosts against promotion hopefuls". Sky Sports. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
16. "Crawford signs new contract". Hartlepool United FC. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
17. Joe Ramage (18 November 2022). "Hartlepool United midfielder set for prolonged spell out after ex-Notts County man undergoes surgery". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
18. Joe Ramage (1 April 2023). "Hartlepool United 2–1 Swindon Town: Pools stage dramatic late comeback to boost relegation hopes". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
19. Joe Ramage (21 November 2023). "Kidderminster 1–1 Hartlepool United: John Askey's side frustrated after being held by bottom side Harriers". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
20. Stelling, Robbie (26 April 2024). "Hartlepool United's 2023/24 National League season end of term grades". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
21. "Retained List 2023/24". Hartlepool United FC. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
22. "WELCOME TO ALTY, TOM CRAWFORD - PHIL LANDS TOP MIDFIELDER". altrinchamfc.com. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
23. "No mishaps this time as Tom opens his account and Robins bank three points!". altrinchamfc.com. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
24. "Runcorn Town FC Official Website". runcorntown.co.uk.
25. "PlayerStats - LeekTownSE". leektown.net.
26. "Games played by Tom Crawford in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
27. "Games played by Tom Crawford in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
28. "Games played by Tom Crawford in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
29. Stevens, Rob (19 May 2019). "AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
30. Pilnick, Brent (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United (5–4)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 September 2022.