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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Craig George Liddle | ||
| Date of birth | (1971-10-21)21 October 1971 (age 53) | ||
| Place of birth | Chester-le-Street, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Middlesbrough (academy manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1990–1991 | Aston Villa | 0 | (0) |
| 1991–1994 | Blyth Spartans | ||
| 1994–1998 | Middlesbrough | 30 | (0) |
| 1998 | →Darlington (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 1998–2005 | Darlington | 321 | (19) |
| 2012 | Darlington | 0 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2009 | Darlington (caretaker) | ||
| 2009 | Darlington (caretaker) | ||
| 2010 | Darlington (caretaker) | ||
| 2011–2012 | Darlington (caretaker) | ||
| 2017 | Middlesbrough (caretaker) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Craig George Liddle (born 21 October 1971 inChester-le-Street,County Durham)[2] is an English formerprofessional footballer, who played incentral defence. During his playing career, made more than 300 appearances inthe Football League, playing four years forMiddlesbrough, as well as a seven-year spell atDarlington.[2]
He became manager ofMiddlesbrough's Academy in January 2017, and in December of that year was appointed first-teamcaretaker manager afterGarry Monk's dismissal.
Liddle began his professional career atAston Villa in 1990, where he had been a trainee, when he signed his first professional contract. However, the player was released after just one season for failing to impress. Liddle then made the decision to join local teamBlyth Spartans, where he spent the next three seasons.
In 1994, he signed forFirst Division club, Middlesbrough, under the management ofBryan Robson. He joined Darlington on loan in February 1998. In 16 games he made a good impression, playing not only in defence, but also as amidfielder.
On 1 July 1998, Liddle signed for the club on a permanent basis, thus leaving Middlesbrough after four years. During his time with Darlington, Liddle showed his professional skills as a footballer and was a popular club captain. Rated by fans as one of the best defenders in theThird Division,[citation needed] he attracted interest from other clubs. He was voted Darlington's all-time cult hero by BBC Football Focus viewers with 70% of the vote.[citation needed] His last seasons at the club were marked by injury, as his career took its toll.
His 300th appearance for Darlington on 1 May 2004 was marked by a commemorative beer brewed by the Darwen Brewery – Liddle's Best, as well as specially printed T-shirts going on sale. On the announcement on his retirement in May 2005 Liddle was granted a testimonial against his former club Middlesbrough in July 2005. Due to a hoax bomb threat the game had to be abandoned at half time.
Liddle worked as a football coach atDarlington College from September 2005 until June 2007. In February 2008, Liddle returned to Darlington as a youth team coach under first team managerNeil Maddison, afterMick Tait left the club. On 8 May 2009, Liddle and Madison became jointcaretaker managers, after Brackenbury Clark and Company, the administrators of the club, had released the majority of the first-team squad and the club coaching and administrative staff from their contracts with immediate effect in order to save money.[3]
With the appointment ofColin Todd as the new manager on 20 May, Liddle remained at the club as the head of youth coach.[4] Todd departed on 26 September and Liddle took over as caretaker manager the following day, assisted by Maddison once again, until a replacement for Todd had been found.[5] Liddle ruled himself out of taking the permanent management role, saying he did not have the experience needed to run a club.[6]
On 5 October, it was announced that the formerRepublic of Ireland national team manager,Steve Staunton, had been appointed as the new permanent manager of the club. In addition to Staunton, the club brought in formerSunderland coach,Kevin Richardson, as his assistant. The pair did not start their roles until later that week, while Liddle finished his role as caretaker manager after theFootball League Trophy tie againstLeeds United on 6 October.[7] On 21 March 2010, he joined Maddison as caretaker once again, following the dismissal of Staunton,[8] beforeSimon Davey was appointed manager on 1 April.[9]
Liddle then started a fourth spell as club caretaker manager on 25 October 2011, following the dismissal of previous manager,Mark Cooper, the previous day.[10] The club suffered financial difficulties during his time at the club, and his contract was terminated on 16 January 2012, along with his playing squad.[11] After a last minute offer of funding to the club's administrators, the team's players were reinstated; Liddle re-registered as a player, taking his previous number 4 shirt.[12] However, he did not make an appearance, with the club relegated and then liquidated at the end of season.
Liddle was an under-18 coach at theAcademy of Middlesbrough, before being appointed Academy manager in January 2017.[13] Following the departure ofGarry Monk, on 23 December 2017, Liddle was appointed caretaker manager, dealing with the first-team affairs until a permanent replacement was found.[14]Tony Pulis was appointed permanent first-team manager on 26 December 2017,[15] however Liddle acted as caretaker manager for that day, due to Pulis not having trained the club, and led the team to a 2–0 victory overBolton Wanderers at theRiverside Stadium.[16]
Liddle's sonBen, was also a professional footballer who came through the academy at Middlesbrough.
| Club | From | To | Record | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Darlington (caretaker) | 26 October 2011 | 16 January 2012 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 30.76 | [17] |
| Middlesbrough (caretaker) | 23 December 2017 | 26 December 2017 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | [14] |
Individual
