WEMBLEY HERO IAN CRAWLEY

One of the all time greats of Midlands Non-League football, Ian Crawley aged 49, passed away at Myton Hospice, Warwick, on Tuesday 8^th July following a two year battle against Motor Neurone Disease.  He was first diagnosed with MND in June 2006 and two months later with Pancreatic Cancer for which he underwent successful surgery on 8^th November 2006.

  Ian Crawley, who was born in Coventry on 18^th May 1959, had the distinction of being the holder of the unique record of having scored the winning and only goal in two football finals at Wembley Stadium.  In the 1983 FA Vase for VS Rugby against Halesowen Town and in the 1989 FA Trophy for Telford United against Maccelsfield Town.

  The former Newsagent and businessman leaves wife of 25 years, Anita, daughter Sophie (22) and son Jamie (17).

  His father Tom was a goalscoring hero in Non-League soccer circles including Rugby Town and Ian’s grandfather, also named Tom, played for Coventry City and in the same Preston side as Bill Shankly.

  Ian’s played football for Coventry Schools Under 11’s whilst at Bishops Ullathorne School where he had to become a rugger fly-half for 2 years – and played for the City Under 13’s.

  At weekends he played soccer for Mount Nod in the Coventry & District Sunday Youth League and served through all age levels up to Nod’s maximum of 16 before joining Europa, an Under 18 side.

  As a 16 year old, Ian joined Sphinx and he duly notched 30 before Christmas for them in the Coventry Alliance Premier.

  Ian was on his way to his memorable non-league career with a move to Nuneaton Borough in 1977.  Our list shows appearances in all league & cup games including those where Ian came on as a substitute followed by goals scored:

  NUNEATON BOROUGH                1977/79          56        8            Transfer Fee £500 received

  BEDWORTH UNITED                      1979/81          46            12

  V.S. RUGBY                                    1981/85        181            87            Transfer Fee £3000 received

  KETTERING TOWN                        1985/88        100            30            Transfer Fee £6000 received

  TELFORD UNITED                      1988/91          94            32       

  V.S. RUGBY                                    1991/92          42            19

  TAMWORTH                         1992/93          47            20

  SOLIHULL BOROUGH                1993/94          23        1          1^st half of season

  V.S.RUGBY                         1993/94          20        9          2^nd half of season

  V.S.RUGBY                         1994/95          24        6

  Ian played 1 League Cup tie for V.S. RUGBY in 1987 and scored 1 goal.

  His career total was 634 played 225 goals scored.

  V.S.RUGBY record, played 268 scored 122 goals.

  The ‘Crawl’ always gave at least 100% and his bravery meant at times he suffered some bad injuries.  Only 18 days before the FA Vase final he sustained a fractured cheekbone in a West Midlands League game against Wolverhampton United at Butlin Road but with his great determination he got there.

    After VS Rugby’s first ever relegation in their history Ian helped them gain an immediate return to the Southern League Premier Division, finishing the 1993/94 season, as Runners up to Rushden & Diamonds in the Southern League Midlands Division.

  He played for Sphinx in the Midland Combination and also played in Over 35 and Charity games.

The funeral arrangements are:  Reception into All Souls R.C. Church, Kingsland Avenue, Coventry, CV5 8DX on Thursday 17^th July at 6.00pm.  Requiem Mass to be held on FRIDAY 18^TH JULY at 1.00pm, followed by burial at Canley Garden Cemetery.  Family flowers only, donations if desired payable to MYTON HOSPICE, may be sent c/o A. J. Lloyd Funeral Directors, 38 Wallace Road, Keresley, Coventry, CV6 2LX