Craig Mahon

Craig Derek Mahon (born 21 June 1989) is an Irish footballer who plays as a winger for National League North club Curzon Ashton where he holds the role of player-manager. He has played in the Football League for Accrington Stanley.

Early life
Craig Derek Mahon was born on 21 June 1989 in Dublin.

Early career
Mahon's footballing education took place at the Dublin-based club Lourdes Celtic, from there he signed as trainee in the 2006–07 season at Wigan Athletic he then progressed through the ranks. He signed a one-year professional contract with Wigan in June 2008.

Mahon signed for Accrington Stanley on loan in the 2008–09 season. He made his debut on 29 November 2008 in a League Two match against Bury, which ended in a 2–1 home defeat for Accrington.

In the summer of 2009, he was released by Wigan and went on to have a short spells with Salford City and Burscough.

After trials at Football League clubs Bury and Rochdale, Mahon signed for Conference North club Vauxhall Motors on 4 September 2010. He signed a further one-year contract on 26 July 2011. The club secured the services of Mahon on a further one-year contract on 27 July 2012. He was voted the Vauxhall Motors Player of the Season for the 2012–13 season.

Chester
Mahon signed for Conference Premier club Chester on 23 May 2013. First season at Chester included time on loan at the Northern Premier League side AFC Fylde. At the end of the season he agreed new deal.

On 7 November 2014, Mahon became the father of twins. The following day Mahon was back on the pitch playing for Chester against Football League team Southend United in the FA Cup first round. Mahon had further cause for celebration by scoring the winning goal in the 51st minute, the match ending 2–1 to Chester as they pulled off a surprise victory against higher-ranked opponents. He signed a new two-year contract in April 2015 though his displays in the FA Cup drew attention from Football League scouts.

Mahon signed further two-year deal in May 2017 and stayed with Chester despite financial troubles hit the club and relegation to the National League North in April 2018.

At the end of May 2019 Mahon extended his stay at Chester to seventh year. He was loaned out to Northern Premier League side Ashton United in December, before signing for Altrincham in January 2020.

On 12 September 2017, Mahon broke the all-time appearance record for Chester and went on to make 215 league appearances during his seven year stay with the club.

Later career
He was part of the Altrincham team that beat Chester in the play-off quarterfinals and eventually were promoted to the National League on 1 August 2020 after beating Boston United 1–0 in the final.

Mahon signed for National League North club Curzon Ashton in September 2020. He signed a further one-year contract as a player-coach in August 2021. In October, he took the role of interim manager for three games, whilst the club recruited a new manager. In September 2023, he was appointed interim manager for a second time following the departure of Adam Lakeland. On the 8th February 2024, Craig was offered the Management role on permanent deal until June 2025.

International career
Mahon represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level, making his debut for the under-18 team on 7 February 2007 in a 0–0 draw against the Netherlands. He appeared for the under-19 team later in the year, playing in a 2–1 defeat against Chile.

Personal life
Craig Mahon is a nephew of a former Tranmere Rovers midfielder Alan Mahon. During the time with Chester he combined his playing career with work at Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

Honours
Altrincham
 * National League North play-offs: 2020