338 Craig Strachan

Craig  is  the  one  on  the  right

Position : Midfield

Played : 2003-04

Appearances : 1

Goals : 0

Craig is the third time a son of a former United legend has featured here. He accompanied Robert Betts from Coventry having made one senior appearance for them but there were serious doubts about his future due to a shin splints injury and it was the end of September before he was deemed fit to play.

Craig’s Dale career was very brief , limited to a substitute appearance away at Macclesfield,  but he gave us a moment to “savour”. Shortly after coming on and looking uncomfortable he was entrusted with a free-kick 25 yards out. He proceeded to float it serenely over the by-line at the same distance from the goals as Geoff Thomas’s infamous shot for England against France. It was undoubtedly the worst free kick I’ve ever seen and Craig announced his retirement immediately after the game.

After an operation in the summer Craig decided to resuscitate his career with Halesowen Town and managed 12 appearances for them but bad luck overtook him again in 2005 when he caused a motorway pile –up on the M6 by swerving to avoid a deer. Although not seriously injured in the crash Craig took medical advice to quit the game not long afterwards. He is now a professional golfer and helps to run Strachan’s Soccer Schools with his father and brother Gavin (who had a more substantial career with Hartlepool and Peterborough among others).