Ian Craney

Ian Thomas William Craney (born 21 July 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was most recently a first-team coach at Ipswich Town.

He had five spells with Accrington Stanley during his career, the latest ending at the end of the 2011–12 season. He also played in the Football League with Swansea City, Huddersfield Town, Morecambe and Rochdale, as well as spells in non-League football with Altrincham and Fleetwood Town.

Club career
After starting his career as a junior at Everton, he got his first break in senior football at Northern Premier League side Altrincham. He joined Accrington Stanley in June 2004 for a fee of £15,000, plus a further £2,500 after twenty appearances and a 50% sell-on clause. He was part of the Stanley team which won the Conference National title in 2005–06, gaining promotion to the Football League. He signed for Swansea City on 9 January 2007 for £150,000, having been on loan since 23 November 2006. He returned to Accrington in early 2008, after an initial loan spell.

Fellow League Two side Morecambe saw two bids rejected for the midfielder in July 2008. But just two games into the 2008-09 season, Accrington accepted an undisclosed fee from League One side Huddersfield Town for the midfielder. He took up the vacant number 5 shirt following the sale of David Mirfin to Scunthorpe United. He made his Town debut in their 3–1 defeat by Milton Keynes Dons at the Kirklees Stadium on 23 August 2008. His first goal for the Terriers was the winning goal in their 2–1 win over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road on 6 September 2008.

Whilst playing for his previous club, Accrington Stanley, he was an England National Game XI international.

On 22 July 2009, Craney joined Football League Two side Morecambe on a season-long loan along with teammate Phil Jevons. He got his first goal for the Shrimps in their 5–2 defeat by Burton Albion on 15 August 2009. Injury cut short half of Craney's season, and he returned to Huddersfield on 20 April 2010. The following day, his contract was terminated.

He joined Fleetwood Town for the 2010/11 season. On 25 November 2010 he rejoined former club Accrington Stanley for a third spell, on a short-term loan deal until the start of 2011. He returned to Fleetwood Town on 7 January as the clubs failed to agree an extension to his loan deal. On 31 January he rejoined Stanley on a permanent basis, for his third full-time spell with the club. He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season and in July 2012 he began training with Grimsby Town. In August 2012 he joined Rochdale on non-contract terms along with Ray Putterill, but the pair were released in January 2013.

He then joined AFC Telford United in February 2013 for the rest of the season, becoming the first signing under new manager Mark Cooper. On 2 May 2013 he was released by the club.

On 31 May 2013 he joined Stockport County on a free transfer, but fell out of favour and joined Stafford Rangers for the remainder of the season on 17 January 2014.

At the expiry of his Stockport contract, Craney joined Conwy Borough of the Cymru Alliance league on 7 July 2014.

International career
Whilst playing for his previous club, Accrington Stanley, he was an England National Game XI international.

Coaching career
While studying for his coaching badges Craney worked as kitman of Wigan Athletic, who were managed by former Accrington Stanley teammate Paul Cook.

In May 2021, Craney joined Cook's coaching staff at Ipswich Town as a first-team coach. Craney left the club in December following the sacking of Cook as manager.

Honours
Accrington Stanley
 * Conference National: 2005–06
 * Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy: 2004–05

Individual
 * Northern Premier League Premier Division Player of the Season: 2002–03
 * Conference National Player of the Season: 2005–06
 * Altrincham Player of the Season: 2002–03, 2003–04
 * Accrington Stanley Player of the Season: 2005–06