Marc White explains what made Tony Craig such a special player
Tony Craig has announced his retirement (Photo by Stuart McAlister)
Tony Craig has announced his retirement (Photo by Stuart McAlister)
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Dorking Wanderers boss Marc White admitted it was both sad and somewhat fitting that Tony Craig finished his 23-year long senior career by playing with a broken leg – labelling him the “last of the Cavaliers”.
The Greenwich-born defender started his career at Millwall – a club his name would become synonymous with.
Broken up by spells at fellow London sides Crystal Palace and Brentford, Craig made more than 250 appearances for the Lions over the course of his career.
Following his final spell with Millwall in January 2018, Craig continued to play in the Football League with Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town, racking up nearly a century of appearances at each club.
After initially joining on loan and playing a pivotal role in Wanderers maintaining their National League top tier status in their first season at Step 1 in 2023/24, the centre-back’s career at Meadowbank continued for a further three full seasons and 135 appearances altogether.
Swansea City's Adrian Forbes is upended by Wycombe's Tony Craig in November 2004 (Photo by Max Flego)
Swansea City's Adrian Forbes is upended by Wycombe's Tony Craig in November 2004 (Photo by Max Flego)
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A mainstay at the heart of defence and an inspirational leader throughout this time in red and white, Craig was awarded the Players’ Player of the Season at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Overall, Craig can proudly reflect on a senior football career which has lasted a remarkable 23 years.
Away from playing, Craig, who is 41 next week, has already begun a career in coaching, previously working with Bristol Rovers U15s and U23s, and currently working with Millwall Youth Academy.
And Wanderers boss White admits Craig is from a dying breed of footballer and he will be hard to replace after the defender announced this season would be his last.
“It’s a fitting way to go out – the fact that he broke his leg and played on with it for half an hour,” White said of the injury Craig sustained on Good Friday at Horsham.
“After it was announced he’d be retiring, you could see the mass adoration across social media for him. And all of the comments are the same: last man standing, warrior, last of the Cavaliers. He’s a man’s man who plays football in the right way. He always left everything out there on the field. Tremendous will to win.
“And frankly speaking, that type of player is hard to find these days.
Neil Ardley and Tony Craig during the match between Cardiff City and Millwall in January 2006. (Photo by Darren Britton/Wales News Service)
Neil Ardley and Tony Craig during the match between Cardiff City and Millwall in January 2006. (Photo by Darren Britton/Wales News Service)
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“I think the fact that he’s played on into his 40s, and prior to this, was pretty much injury free, that’s a testament to professionalism.
“The other thing with Tony, that a lot of people forget is that, he absolutely loves the game. He’s going to miss the game massively.
“Obviously, he’ll stay involved in the game. But he will miss playing the game massively. He played on into his 40s but he didn’t need to do that. He did it because he absolutely loves football.
“So, whilst in some ways it was a sad way for him to go out, at same time it is very fitting.
“And we will be doing a guard of honour in our home match against Bath City this weekend.”