Craig Noone

Craig Stephen Noone (born 17 November 1987) is an English retired professional footballer who most played as a winger He played professional football for Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, and Melbourne City and Macarthur FC.

Craig Noone
Noone playing for Cardiff City in 2012
Personal information
Full name Craig Stephen Noone[1]
Date of birth (1987-11-17) 17 November 1987[1]
Place of birth Kirkby, England[2]
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Skelmersdale United
2007–2008 Burscough 24 (4)
2008 Southport 1 (0)
2008–2011 Plymouth Argyle 55 (5)
2009 → Exeter City (loan) 7 (2)
2011–2012 Brighton & Hove Albion 59 (4)
2012–2017 Cardiff City 158 (16)
2017–2019 Bolton Wanderers 60 (2)
2019–2021 Melbourne City 48 (12)
2021–2023 Macarthur 44 (5)
Total 456 (50)
Managerial career
2023– Bulls FC Academy
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Noone was born in Kirkby. He joined Liverpool when he was nine years old and was released 7 years later.[3][4] He then played junior and amateur football before signing with Wrexham when he was 15. Having been released after a year there, Noone played non-league football and went to Myerscough football college for six months.[3][4]

He trained as a roofer while a non-league player and in 2008 worked on an extension at Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's house.[3][5]

Playing career

Non-League football

He joined Skelmersdale United as a youth team player and made his first team debut during the 2005–06 season. Noone had a trial with Belgian club Royal Antwerp in January 2007 and later that year joined Burscough, which Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson described as a "great opportunity" for him.[6] Having been signed by Liam Watson,[7] Noone played regularly in the Conference North in 2007–08. Watson left Burscough for Southport in June 2008 and Noone joined him a few days later.[8][9] In August, he made his league debut before Southport received a club record offer of £110,000 for him from Plymouth Argyle.[10]

Plymouth Argyle

Noone signed a two-year contract with Argyle the next day.[11] "I am very excited by this signing," said manager Paul Sturrock. "Craig comes to us with a glowing reputation. It is now up to him to prove that it is merited."[11] He made his debut at the end of the month in a 0–0 draw at Burnley,[12] and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win at Coventry City in November.[13][14]

After 10 substitute appearances for Plymouth, Noone made his first start for the club in the league match versus Southampton on Boxing Day 2008, where his team won 2–0. On 3 January 2009, Noone made his FA Cup debut coming off the bench during a 3–1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. On 10 September 2009, after Noone had only made two league substitute appearances so far in the 2009/10 season, Exeter City signed him on a 3-month loan deal.[15] He made his debut against Leyton Orient and scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw. Noone scored in his final appearance for Exeter against Brentford before being recalled on 2 November.

Brighton & Hove Albion
Noone playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011

On 31 December 2010 it was confirmed that Noone had transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.[16] He became a fan favourite at Brighton with his pace and his unerring ability to beat the defender. He scored twice for Brighton in their League One title season, a great individual goal at home against Colchester United[17] and a volley at home against Hartlepool United.[18]

He was part of Brighton's first match of pre-season in preparation for the 2011–2012 season against Burgess Hill. He played 45 minutes and impressed, having a long range effort well saved and he earned a penalty which he subsequently scored to make it 2–0.[19]

On 21 September 2011, Noone was announced as the stadium sponsor's man of the match in a 1–2 defeat against his former employers and boyhood club, Liverpool, in a third round League Cup match at Falmer Stadium. The Liverpool-born player hit the crossbar from a long-range shot during the game and was praised by his boyhood hero Steven Gerrard.

In January 2012, Noone was subject to a £500,000 bid from Championship rivals Cardiff City, which was rejected by Albion.[20] Noone extended his contract at Brighton in March 2012, keeping him at the club until June 2015.[21][22]

Cardiff City

In August 2012, Noone joined Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £1m, and signed a four-year contract.[23][24] He made his debut in a 3–1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of September,[25] and scored his first goal for the club later in the month as Cardiff won 2–0 at Millwall.[26] Two months after joining the club, Noone scored in three consecutive games; a win against Burnley in October, and defeats at Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic in November.[27][28][29] He was sent off for two bookable offences against Derby County later that month.[30] Noone's goal against Bolton in April ensured that Cardiff avoided defeat in their final home game of the season,[31] which was followed by the club being presented with the Football League title for winning the Championship.[32] Noone made 32 appearances in his first season with Cardiff and scored seven goals.[33] Noone scored his first Premier League goal in January 2014 against Manchester City and was praised for his performance by Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær.[34] Cardiff however suffered relegation at the end of the season and returned to the Championship, where he only managed to find one goal in 39 appearances.

The following season, Noone started off brightly, coming on to score the equaliser against Fulham and scoring the winner against AFC Wimbledon.[35][36] However, he didn't manage to find another goal until December where he scored against Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–2 draw, before scoring against Milton Keynes Dons.[37]

Bolton Wanderers

On 31 August 2017, Noone joined Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract.[38]

Melbourne City

On 17 June 2019, Noone signed a two-year contract with Melbourne City in the A-League.[39] He scored his first goal on debut against Campbelltown City in the Round of 32 in the 2019 FFA Cup.[40]

Macarthur

After leaving Melbourne, he played for Macarthur for two years playing 45 times and scoring 5 goals.

Career statistics
As of 7 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Plymouth Argyle 2008–09[41] Championship 211100000221
2009–10[42] 171101000191
2010–11[43] League One 17310102[lower-alpha 1]1214
Total 555302021626
Exeter City (loan) 2009–10[42] League One 7200000072
Brighton & Hove Albion 2010–11[43] 232000000232
2011–12[44] Championship 332103000372
2012–13[45] 3000100040
Total 594104000644
Cardiff City 2012–13[45] Championship 357000000357
2013–14[46] Premier League 141312100193
2014–15[47] Championship 371200000391
2015–16[48] 385102100406
2016–17[49] 342101000362
Total 1581671520017019
Bolton Wanderers 2017–18[50] Championship 241101000261
2018–19[51] 361201000391
Total 602302000652
Melbourne City 2019–20[52] A-League 27554——329
2020–21[53] 236———236
Total 50115400005515
Macarthur 2021–22[54] A-League Men 23510——245
2022–23[55] 21010——220
Total 445200000465
Career total 426432151322146251
  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion

Cardiff City

Melbourne City

Macarthur

Individual

References
  1. "Craig Noone". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 440. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. Hayward, Paul (20 September 2011). "Craig Noone typifies remarkable rise of Brighton & Hove Albion". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  4. Pearce, James (17 February 2012). "Brighton winger Craig Noone can't wait to take on his Liverpool FC heroes – and ask for Wembley tickets while he's there". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  5. Joyce, Paul (20 September 2011). "Brighton's Craig Noone has the tools to raise roof". Daily Express. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  6. "Lawson delighted with support over swop deal". Liverpool Echo. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  7. "Teen dream is big boost for Watson". Liverpool Echo. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  8. "Watson raids old club Burscough". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  9. Bassett, David (9 August 2008). "Southport exit on the cards for Noone". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  10. "Plymouth make record Noone bid". Lancashire Evening Post. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  11. "Plymouth sign left-winger Noone". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  12. "Noone could be new Phillips". The Herald. 27 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  13. "Coventry 0–1 Plymouth". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  14. "Noone goal completes 'fairytale'". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  15. "Noone joins Exeter on loan". Exeter City F.C. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009.
  16. "Noone Signs". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 31 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012.
  17. "Colchester (H) Match Report". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011.
  18. "Hartlepool (H) Match Report". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011.
  19. Naylor, Andy (10 July 2011). "Hoskins on target as Albion stroll to victory". The Argus.
  20. "Brighton reject Cardiff City's bid for Craig Noone". BBC Sport. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  21. Jago, Will (6 March 2012). "Noone signs new contract". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  22. "Craig Noone signs new Brighton & Hove Albion contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  23. Wathan, Chris (29 August 2012). "Brighton winger Craig Noone signs for Cardiff City in £1m deal". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  24. Camillin, Paul (30 August 2012). "Noone completes Cardiff switch". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  25. "Cardiff 3–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  26. Phillips, Terry (18 September 2012). "Millwall 0–2 Cardiff City: Noone and Whittingham fire Bluebirds to win". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  27. Clutton, Graham (28 October 2012). "Cardiff City's Craig Noone scores a stunning goal as his side beat Burnley and go top of the Championship". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  28. "Bolton 2–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  29. Phillips, Terry (7 November 2012). "Charlton 5 Cardiff City 4". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  30. West, Jon (27 November 2012). "Derby County 1 Cardiff City 1: match report". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  31. "Cardiff 1–1 Bolton". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  32. Blanche, Phil (26 April 2013). "Cardiff City 1–1 Bolton Wanderers: Bluebirds lift trophy after final home draw". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  33. "C. Noone". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  34. Tucker, Steve (18 January 2014). "Cardiff City boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails wing wizard Craig Noone after stunning display in Manchester City defeat". Wales Online. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  35. "Cardiff City 1–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  36. "Cardiff City 1–0 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  37. "Cardiff City 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  38. "Wanderers sign Craig Noone". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  39. "Melbourne City sign Noone from Bolton". The World Game. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  40. Windon, Jacob (31 July 2019). "Stunning Noone goal helps Melbourne City progress". A-League.
  41. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  42. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  43. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  44. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  45. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  46. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  47. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  48. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  49. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  50. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  51. "Games played by Craig Noone in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  52. Craig Noone at Soccerway
  53. Craig Noone at Soccerway
  54. Craig Noone at Soccerway
  55. Craig Noone at Soccerway
  56. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
  57. Gibson, Timothy (2 October 2022). "Macarthur prevail in Australia cup final against Sydney United". The Football Sack. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  58. "PFA reveals LUCRF Super A-League Team of the Season". 23 June 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
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