Andy Crawford (footballer, born 1959)


Andrew Crawford is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Career

Crawford began his career as a youth player with Derby County, making his professional debut on 8 March 1978 in a 4–2 victory over Liverpool in the First Division where he scores his side's first goal. The following year, he was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £50,000, scoring 23 goals in all competitions for the club in his first season as he helped them win promotion to the Second Division. However, Crawford pushed for a transfer following his breakout season but, when no club made an official approach, he went on strike and spent the majority of the 1980—81 season playing in the club's reserve side.
He eventually signed for AFC Bournemouth, who were managed by Crawford's former Derby teammate David Webb, for a fee of £40,000. He scored on his debut in a 3–0 victory over Blackpool, winning promotion to the Third Division in 1982. However, he was released in 1983 and spent a brief period with Cardiff City after being invited for a trial by manager Len Ashurst, playing six times and scoring once in a 3–1 victory over Grimsby Town.
After not being offered an extended contract, and a brief one-of appearance for Scarborough, he moved to Middlesbrough before finishing his professional career with Stockport County and Torquay United.