On Saturday the 2nd October, Tony Craig made his 650th career appearance as he came on as a first-half substitute in Crawley’s Sky Bet League Two clash at Tranmere Rovers.
In a career spanning over 20 seasons, Craig has featured for seven different clubs, spending time in all three divisions of the English Football League. His illustrious career included three promotions to the Championship for Millwall, and Brentford respectively.
Craig is, and always will be, regarded as a Millwall legend, having made over 300 appearances for the Lions in three stints at the club. The Den was where Craig started his career in the 2002/03 season before moving on loan to Wycombe Wanderers.
Tony joined then Championship side Crystal Palace at the start of the 2007/08 season, where he made 14 appearances before suffering an injury which saw him fall out of the Eagles first-team. After a successful loan period at the end of the 07/08 season, Craig rejoined Millwall for the 2008/09 season.
During Craig’s third stint with Millwall, the Lions successfully gained promotion to the Championship in the 2009/10 season. In his first season back in the Championship, Craig made 26 appearances. After a short loan move to Leyton Orient in the 2011/12 season, the Defender left the Den for the third time in July 2012.
Tony joined up with Brentford for the 2012/13 season and won promotion with the Bees during his second season with the London club, finishing as the League One runners up in the 13/14 season. A campaign where Craig was voted as the Brentford Player of the Season. Craig totalled 129 appearances during three seasons at Griffin Park.
After rejoining the Lions for a fourth time in 2015, Craig appeared in successive playoff finals. The first, in the 15/16 season, ended in heartbreak as Millwall were defeated by Barnsley at Wembley Stadium. The 16/17 campaign ended on much better terms for Craig. The veteran centre-back captained Millwall to a playoff final victory, beating Bradford City 1-0 to promote the Lions back to the second tier of English football.
Tony left Millwall for the final time in 2018 to join League One side Bristol Rovers. Craig was an ever-present figure for the Gas during his two and a half years at the club, making 120 appearances before being released at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Tony then came to West Sussex to link up with John Yems and the Reds at the start of the 2020/21 season. Craig is set to make his 651st career appearance and his 50th for the Red Devils in tonight’s Papa Johns Trophy match against Leyton Orient.
