Craig Fagan

Craig Fagan
Personal information
Full name Craig Anthony Fagan
Date of birth (1982-12-11) 11 December 1982
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Winger/Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Birmingham City 1 (0)
2003Bristol City (loan) 6 (1)
2003–2004Colchester United (loan) 31 (5)
2004–2005 Colchester United 32 (12)
2005–2007 Hull City 80 (15)
2007–2008 Derby County 39 (1)
2008Hull City (loan) 8 (0)
2008–2011 Hull City 52 (5)
2011–2012 Bradford City 31 (7)
2013 Bury 11 (1)
2013–2014 Gillingham 18 (2)
2015 Brunei DPMM 3 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1:39, 31 March 2015 (UTC).


Craig Anthony Fagan (born 11 December 1982) is an English footballer. He can play as a forward or on the wing.

Club career

Early career

Fagan began his football career as an under-nine with Birmingham City. When the club dismantled its youth system he spent a few months with West Bromwich Albion, but returned to Birmingham City when they opened their academy, in part because the club was nearer to his home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, where he attended Catshill Middle School and South Bromsgrove High School.[1] He scored his first career goal while on loan at Bristol City, scoring in a 2–1 defeat against Colchester United,[2] his future club. He failed to make the breakthrough to Birmingham's first team, and joined Colchester United on a free transfer in 2004, after a successful loan spell at the club.

Hull City

Fagan joined Hull City on 28 February 2005 for an undisclosed six-figure transfer fee (believed to be around £125,000). Five days later he scored on his debut in a 3–1 victory over Tranmere Rovers. He was reunited with his former Colchester boss, Phil Parkinson, when Parkinson was appointed Hull City manager in the summer of 2006 – Parkinson's tenure however did not last long. Under Parkinson, Fagan was played on the right wing, whereas under Peter Taylor he had played as a striker. Following Parkinson's departure, Hull changed from a 4-4-2 formation to 4-3-3, and Fagan flourished in his role on the right hand side of the front three.

His good form led to interest from other clubs and speculation around his future arose when he was left out of the squad for the FA Cup Third Round tie against Middlesbrough on 6 January 2007. Finally, on 9 January, top of the table Derby County confirmed the signing of Fagan for a fee of £750,000, rising to £1,000,000 dependent on their promotion to the Premiership.

Despite leaving halfway through the season, Fagan led the assists chart for Hull in 2006–07,[3] as he had the previous campaign.[4]

Derby County

Upon joining Derby, Fagan quickly worked his way into the first team and made his debut in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on 13 January 2007; ironically he had made his final appearance for Hull against the same opponents 12 days previously, a game which Fagan was also on the winning side. Fagan was mostly employed as a wide player whilst at Derby, rather than his preferred role as striker, with boss Billy Davies preferring to employ Steve Howard in the lone striker role. He made 17 league and one cup appearances, scoring only once, in the 1–1 draw away to Leicester City,[5] as Derby's form faltered and they fell into the playoff positions, finishing in third. Fagan then went on to play in all three matches in Derby's successful playoff campaign, including the 1–0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the 2007 Championship Playoff Final.

Whilst Derby's return to the Premiership proved to be a difficult one, as they found themselves bottom of the table for the majority of the season, Fagan himself was consistently involved in the first team and, alongside Stephen Pearson, was top of the club's appearance chart on 1 March 2008 with 25 league and cup appearances, scoring once in the League Cup against Blackpool,[6] although he was mainly used on the wing rather than striker. It may have been more had he not been banned twice, once for four matches for a stamp on Liverpool's Álvaro Arbeloa in a 6–0 defeat at Anfield and then for one match after reaching five yellow cards. As part of new manager Paul Jewell's clearout upon his arrival at the club following the departure of Billy Davies, Fagan moved on loan to Hull City on 7 March 2008, with a view to a permanent deal.[7]

Return to Hull City

Fagan playing for Hull City in 2009

Fagan made his second debut for Hull in a 2–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 8 March 2008 and was part of the side which eventually secured the club's first ever season in the top flight of English football, following a 1–0 win over Bristol City at Wembley in the 2008 Championship Playoff Final, in which Fagan appeared as a 67th-minute substitute. It was Fagan's second consecutive appearance in the Championship Playoff final following playing for Derby there the previous year. Derby manager Paul Jewell announced on 17 June 2008 that the deal to take Fagan back to Hull on a permanent transfer had been agreed, with the fee believed to be £750,000.[8] This was completed on 2 July.[9]

On Saturday 13 September 2008, Fagan suffered a broken tibia after being on the end of an "horrific tackle" by Newcastle United midfielder Danny Guthrie. Guthrie was sent off in the incident, which occurred in the closing stages of Hull's victory at St James' Park.[10] He returned to action on 26 December 2008 and scored Hull's only goal in a heavy defeat to Manchester City.[11]

Following Hull City's return to the Championship Fagan spent all of the 2010–11 season sidelined through injury. After the end of the season, on 10 May 2011, the club announced that Fagan had been released from Hull City along with three other players, ending his second stint at the East Riding of Yorkshire club.[12]

During the close season, Fagan had trials at Championship clubs Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.[13][14]

Bradford City

He signed for Bradford City on 16 September 2011.[15] On 8 October 2011 Fagan scored his first goal for Bradford City against Torquay United.[16] He scored his second goal for the Bantams in a 2–1 win over Northampton Town.[17] His third goal came from the penalty spot in a 3–1 win against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup on 3 December.[18] In the next game he missed a penalty in a defeat to Oldham Athletic in the Football League Trophy.[19] He scored his fourth goal of the season with a volley in a 3–1 win over Shrewsbury Town.[20] He scored again against Torquay, this time in a 2–1 away win on 18 February. This was his fifth goal for the Bantams.[21] On 1 May 2012, it was announced that he would leave the club after one season, settling his contract early.[22]

Bury

In February 2013, Fagan signed for League One Bury until the end of the season.

Gillingham

On 12 November 2013, Fagan signed for Gillingham.[23] He was released by the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[24]

Brunei DPMM FC

In February 2015, Fagan joined Brunei DPMM FC of the Singaporean S.League.[25] However, he suffered a long-term injury in only his third game and was subsequently released.[26][27]

International career

Fagan is eligible for both England and Jamaica through his grandparents.[28]

Career statistics

As of match played 21 April 2012
Club performanceLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2002–03[29] Birmingham CityPremier League1010200040
Bristol City (loan)Division 26100001a071
2003–04[30] Birmingham CityPremier League0000000000
Colchester United (loan)Division 231550214a0426
Colchester UnitedDivision 26400000064
2004–05[31] Colchester UnitedLeague One2685432003414
Hull CityLeague One124000000124
2005–06[32] Hull CityChampionship415101000435
2006–07[33] Hull CityChampionship276002000296
Derby CountyChampionship17110003b0211
2007–08[34] Derby CountyPremier League220201100251
Hull City (loan)Championship8000003b0110
2008–09[35] Hull CityPremier League223300000253
2009–10[36] Hull CityPremier League252001000262
2010–11[37] Hull CityChampionship5000000050
2011–12[38] Bradford CityLeague Two31721002a0348
Career total2804620512413032555
a. Football League Trophy
b. Football League Championship play-offs

Honours

Derby County
Hull City

References

  1. Tattum, Colin (24 May 2007). "I could have been playing for Albion – Fagan". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  2. "Bristol City 1–2 Colchester". BBC Sport. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  3. "Club Statistics: Assists: 2006/07". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  4. "Club Statistics: Assists: 2005/06". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  5. "Leicester City vs Derby County". Derby County F.C. 6 April 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  6. "Derby 2–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  7. "Derby striker Fagan rejoins Hull". BBC Sport. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  8. "Brown happy with transfer budget". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  9. "Fagan rejoins Hull from Derby". BBC Sport. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
  10. "Hull rocked by Fagan injury blow". BBC Sport. 15 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  11. Brett, Oliver (26 December 2008). "Man City 5–1 Hull". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  12. "Tigers Allow Four To Leave". Hull City A.F.C. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  13. Rawlings, Owen (26 July 2011). "Another one for Whitts as City draw". Cardiff City F.C. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  14. Farrow, Michael (3 August 2011). "Palace boss Freedman reveals targets as former Hull striker joins on trial". Bromley Times. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  15. "City swoop for Fagan". Bradford City A.F.C. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  16. "Bradford 1–0 Torquay". BBC Sport. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  17. "Bradford 2–1 Northampton". BBC Sport. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  18. "Bradford 3–1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  19. "Oldham 2–0 Bradford". BBC Sport. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  20. "Bradford 3–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  21. "Torquay 1–2 Bradford". BBC Sport. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  22. "Fagan departure confirmed". Bradford City F.C. 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  23. "Gills Sign Striker". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 12 November 2013.
  24. "Gillingham FC announce retained list". Gillingham F.C. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  25. "Former EPL Star Fagan Sets Sights On S-League title". S.League. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  26. "Fagan out for six months". The Brunei Times. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  27. "DPMM FC find Sergio to replace injured Fagan". The Brunei Times. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  28. "Fagan out to prove a point". Burton Mail. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  29. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  30. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  31. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  32. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  33. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  34. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  35. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  36. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  37. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  38. "Games played by Craig Fagan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
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