Craig McAllister

Craig McAllister

McAllister in 2011
Personal information
Full name Craig McAllister[1]
Date of birth (1980-06-28) 28 June 1980[1]
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sutton United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Eastleigh
2002–2004 Basingstoke Town
2004–2005 Stevenage Borough 6 (0)
2004 → Eastleigh (loan)
2004–2005 → Gravesend & Northfleet (loan) 5 (2)
2005–2007 Woking 83 (23)
2007–2008 Grays Athletic 9 (1)
2007–2008 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 8 (1)
2008 Oxford United 17 (2)
2008–2010 Exeter City 34 (7)
2009 → Barnet (loan) 5 (0)
2010 → Rotherham United (loan) 8 (0)
2010–2011 Crawley Town 41 (12)
2011–2012 Newport County 25 (0)
2012 → Luton Town (loan) 14 (1)
2012–2015 Eastleigh 115 (40)
2015– Sutton United 20 (8)
2016– → Eastbourne Borough (loan) 5 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:35, 8 October 2016 (UTC).


Craig McAllister (born 28 June 1980) is a Scottish semi-professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League club Sutton United.

McAllister started his career with Eastleigh as a youth player. He moved to Basingstoke Town towards the end of 2001–02, making his debut in March 2002. McAllister spent three seasons there, making 112 appearances, scoring 66 goals before moving up the national league system to Conference National club Stevenage Borough where he made six appearances, having loan spells at Eastleigh in 2004 and Gravesend & Northfleet in 2004–05. He joined Woking in 2005, spending two full seasons there, and making over 100 appearances. He had a short spell with Grays Athletic, being sent out on loan to Rushden & Diamonds and then another short spell at Oxford United, all during the 2007–08 season. After leaving Oxford in 2008, he took a step up to the Football League for the first time in his career, signing for Exeter City. He went on to score seven goals in his first season, but was loaned out to Barnet and Rotherham United in his second and was eventually released by the club in May 2010. McAllister then dropped back down to non-League football, joining Crawley Town where he played at Old Trafford; his team was defeated 1–0 by Manchester United in their FA Cup fifth round tie. He rejected a new contract from Crawley at the end of the 2010–11 season, subsequently joining Newport County.

McAllister won his first major honour in 2011, helping Crawley Town win the Conference Premier for the first time in their history. He has also lifted the Conference South (later renamed National League South) title twice, in 2014 with Eastleigh and again in 2016 with Sutton United.

Career

Non-League

Born in Glasgow,[1] McAllister started his career in non-League football at Eastleigh in 2001.[2] He later moved to Basingstoke Town.[3] He made his debut in March 2002, scoring in a 1–1 draw with Hampton & Richmond Borough.[4] He played ten games in the 2001–02 season, scoring three goals.[5] He started the 2002–03 season with a goal on the opening day, as Basingstoke drew 2–2 with Aylesbury United.[6] In November, McAllister scored two hat-tricks in two games, the first of which helped Basingstoke to a 3–1 win over Bishops Stortford,[7] and the second helped his side to a 3–0 win over Braintree Town.[8] He finished 2002–03 with 35 goals from 47 games.[9] McAllister's success continued into 2003–04, where he scored another 28 goals in 35 appearances.[10] This success earned him a trial with Queens Park Rangers in the Football League Championship, just one level down from the Premier League.[11]

After scoring 66 times in 112 games for Basingstoke Town,[3] he moved to the Conference National outfit Stevenage on a bosman transfer in May 2004.[3] He made his debut for Stevenage as a substitute, as they beat Crawley Town, 1–0.[12] After struggling to get in the starting line-up for Stevenage, he was sent out on loan to his former club, Eastleigh,[13] where he scored six goals in four games.[14] In December 2004, he was loaned out for the second time in that season, moving to Gravesend & Northfleet, where he made debut in a 1–0 defeat by Hereford United.[15] In the second minute of Gravesend's 1–1 draw with Crawley Town, he scored the first goal of this loan.[16] He scored his second and last goal of this loan just two days later, which helped his team to a 2–2 draw with Accrington Stanley,[17] before he returned to his parent club, Stevenage, in January 2005.[18] At the end of 2004–05, he left Stevenage having only played 11 games in all competitions, with one goal.[13]

Before the start of 2005–06 he signed for Woking on a permanent deal.[14] He made his debut in August 2005, starting in a 2–1 defeat by Kidderminster Harriers.[19] McAllister finished his debut season with thirteen goals, eight of which were in the league.[20] McAllister scored his first brace for Woking in September 2006, as he helped his side to overcome Forest Green Rovers, 3–2, away from home.[21] After scoring 18 goals in 2006–07,[14] he attracted interest from several Conference sides and in May 2007 he signed for Grays Athletic.[14] After making his debut for Grays Athletic in a 0–0 draw with Torquay United in August 2007,[22] he played only another eight times, scoring one goal against Droylsden,[23] before being sent out on loan to league rivals Rushden & Diamonds in October.[24] He returned from the loan in January 2008, having only scored one goal, against Oxford United,[24] who he then signed for on his return to Grays.[25] Having joined Oxford on a contract until the end of the 2007–08 season, McAllister made his debut for the club in a 4–0 win over Altrincham; he scored 22 minutes into the game.[26] He made another 16 appearances, scoring one more goal, before leaving at the end of the season.[14]

Exeter City

He completed a move to Football League Two side Exeter City in summer 2008, signing for the first time for a club in the Football League.[27] He made his first team debut in August 2008, in a home match against Southampton, in the League Cup. Exeter lost the game 3–1.[28] It took until December for McAllister to score his first competitive for the club, when he scored to help Exeter to a 2–1 win over Lincoln City.[29] He then scored another two goals later that month, in a 4–1 win over north-west club Rochdale.[30] He added just another two goals to his tally in January 2009, both in Exeter's 2–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.[31] The remainder of the 2008–09 season saw him only add two more goals, against Macclesfield Town and Darlington, both in the space of a month.[32][33] After only making five appearances for Exeter in 2009–10, he joined Barnet on loan in November 2009.[34] McAllister, still without a goal in 2009–10, couldn't get on the scoresheet in the three games he played for Barnet,[35] and he returned to Exeter in January.[36] In March, still having not played for Exeter since his return from Barnet, he signed an emergency one-month loan deal at Rotherham United.[37] He made his debut for Rotherham in their 1–0 away win over Dagenham & Redbridge.[38] After another seven games and still no goals, he returned to Exeter only to be released in May, along with eight other team-mates.[39]

Return to non-League

McAllister (left, white shirt) playing for Crawley Town in 2011

Following his release from Exeter City, McAllister moved back to non-League, signing for Conference Premier outfit Crawley Town on a one-year contract, in June 2008.[40] He made his debut in August, when his side lost 1–0 to Grimsby Town.[41] Ten days later he scored his first goal in a Crawley shirt, scoring the second in a 2–1 win over newly promoted Bath City.[42] Just four days later, he scored two goals as Crawley beat Hayes & Yeading United, 3–0, away from home.[43] In February 2011, McAllister started in Crawley Town's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which Crawley 1–0.[44] At the end of the 2010–11 season, after Crawley gained promotion to the Football League, McAllister was released after he rejected a new deal.[45]

McAllister signed for Newport County in May 2011, deciding to stay in non-League football.[46] He signed for Newport after their manager, Anthony Hudson, had earlier stated, "We are on the verge of two massive additions to the squad, who will take the club in the direction that we want to go."[47]

After failing to find the net in 26 games for Newport County he joined Conference rivals Luton Town on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.[48] He scored his first goal in over a year against Ebbsfleet United on 17 April 2012.[49] In June 2012 McAllister rejoined Eastleigh.[50]

McAllister signed for Sutton United prior to the 2015/16 season, wearing the No. 7 shirt. He scored his first goal for the U's on 5 September 2015 in a 2–2 draw with Concord Rangers.[51] He made a total of 19 league appearances for the season and scored 7 goals, helping Sutton to lift the National League South title, but missed the latter part of the season due to injury. In September 2016 he went on a month's loan to Eastbourne Borough, where he made five appearances and scored one goal.[52] McAllister made his first appearance for Sutton in the National League on 8 October 2016, now wearing the No. 9 shirt, scoring a headed goal in a 4–1 rout of his former club and Surrey rivals Woking at Gander Green Lane.[53]

Style of play

McAllister plays as a striker,[54] he is "an explosive front man",[55] and is described as a "target man" because of his height.[56] His time at Basingstoke Town was described as "prolific" due to the number of goals he scored.[13] While at Exeter City, manager Paul Tisdale described him as "excellent",[57] and said that McAllister and fellow Exeter City striker Richard Logan had a good partnership together after McAllister scored a hat-trick for the reserve team.[57]

On signing for Luton Town manager Gary Brabin described McAllister as "adaptable in any role...he works hard, he's strong and he chips in with his fair share of goals."[48]

Personal life

After his move to Oxford United in January 2008, he stated that the reason for the move was so that he could be closer to his family home in Southampton.[54] On his arrival at Exeter City in July 2008, he moved into a house with fellow Exeter forward, Ben Watson. McAllister stated that it would make a huge difference living near the training ground, instead of travelling long distances to get to training and matches.[27]

Career statistics

As of 23 May 2012.
Club Season League[A] FA Cup League Cup Other[B] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Basingstoke Town 2001–02[58] 103000000103
2002–03[59] 41301000544734
2003–04[60] 45201100975528
Total 96532100141111265
Stevenage Borough 2004–05[61] 6030000090
Eastleigh (loan) 2004–05[14] 4600000046
Gravesend & Northfleet 2004–05[61] 5200001062
Woking 2005–06[62] 39841001145413
2006–07[63] 44151100214717
Total 8323520013510130
Grays Athletic 2007–08[64] 9100000091
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 2007–08[64] 81300010121
Oxford United 2007–08[64] 172000000172
Exeter City 2008–09[65] 307001010327
2009–10[66] 4000100050
Total 347002010377
Barnet (loan) 2009–10[66] 3000000030
Rotherham United (loan) 2009–10[66] 8000000080
Crawley Town 2010–11[67] 41126100005313
Newport County 2011–12 250100000260
Luton Town (loan) 2011–12 141000030171
Career totals 353108204203316408128

Honours

Crawley Town

Eastleigh

Sutton United

Footnotes

A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League, Football Conference and Lower.
B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Conference League Cup, FA Trophy, Football League Trophy, play-offs and Regional/County cups.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ "Football: Craig McAllister". footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Craig McAllister – Basingstoke Town". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "Basingstoke Town 1 – 1 Hampton & Richmond". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Craig McAllister: 2001–02 matches". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  6. ↑ "Basingstoke Town 2 – 2 Aylesbury United". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  7. ↑ "Basingstoke 3–1 Bishops Stortford". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  8. ↑ "Braintree Town 0 – 3 Basingstoke Town". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  9. ↑ "Craig McAllister: 2002–03 matches". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  10. ↑ "Craig McAllister: 2003–04 matches". basingstoketown.net. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "RS Draw 1–1 in Team Bath friendly". qpr.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  12. ↑ "Stevenage Borough 1–0 Crawley Town". teamtalk.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 "Stevenage Player: Craig McAllister profile". boroguide.co.uk. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Craig McAllister: Profile". oufc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  15. ↑ "Hereford United 1–0 Gravesend". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  16. ↑ "Crawley Town 1–1 Gravesend". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  17. ↑ "Gravesend 2–2 Accrington Stanley". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  18. ↑ "Craig McAllister: 2004–05 season". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "Kidderminster 2–1 Woking". BBC Sport. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  20. ↑ "Season 2005/2006". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  21. ↑ "Forest Green 2–3 Woking". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  22. ↑ "Torquay United 0–0 Grays". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  23. ↑ "Season 2007/2008". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Craig McAllister: New Signing". Rushden & Diamonds. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  25. ↑ "Oxford Buy Big To Climb". The Non League Paper. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  26. ↑ "Oxford 4–0 Altrincham". oufc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  27. 1 2 Banks, N (25 July 2008). "Craig is off the mark and raring to show his worth". This is Exeter. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  28. ↑ "Exeter 1–3 Southampton". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  29. ↑ "Exeter 2–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  30. ↑ "Exeter 4–1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  31. ↑ "Dag & Red 1–2 Exeter". BBC Sport. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  32. ↑ "Exeter 4–0 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  33. ↑ "Exeter 2–0 Darlington". BBC Sport. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  34. ↑ "Exeter's McAllister in Barnet Loan Move". vitalfootball.co.uk. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  35. ↑ "Season 2009/2010". sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  36. ↑ "Tisdale tells Big Mac to press his claims for a place in the City side". This is Exeter. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  37. ↑ "Rotherham sign Exeter striker Craig McAllister on loan". BBC Sport. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  38. ↑ "Dag & Red 0 – 1 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  39. ↑ "Exeter City release nine players". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  40. ↑ "Former Exeter man Craig McAllister joins Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  41. ↑ "Crawley Town 0–1 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  42. ↑ "Crawley Town 2–1 Bath City". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  43. ↑ "Hayes & Yeading 0–3 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  44. ↑ McNulty, Phil (19 February 2011). "Man Utd 1 – 0 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  45. ↑ "Craig McAllister rejects Crawley Town deal". BBC Sport. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  46. ↑ "Newport County snap up striker Craig McAllister". BBC Sport. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  47. ↑ "Hudson Set to Add to Squad". Football Conference. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  48. 1 2 "Luton Town sign Newport County's Craig McAllister on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  49. ↑ "Luton 3–0 Ebbsfleet". BBC Sport. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  50. ↑ http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/football/newportcounty/9784282.Craig_McAllister_signs_for_Eastleigh/
  51. ↑ "Sutton United 2–2 Concord Rangers". SUFC Match Report. SUFC. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  52. ↑ "Borough swoop for Sutton duo McAllister and Cooper". Eastbourne Herald. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  53. ↑ "Sutton United 4 Woking 1". BBC. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  54. 1 2 "Craig McAllister". Rushden & Diamonds. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  55. ↑ "Craig McAllister: Basingstoke profile". BasingstokeTown.net. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  56. ↑ "Exeter City striker Mac sees red to land a ban". This is Exeter. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  57. 1 2 "Tisdale could go for a Big Mac tomorrow". This is Exeter. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  58. ↑ "2001/02 matches". BasingstokeTown.net. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  59. ↑ "2002/03 matches". BasingstokeTown.net. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  60. ↑ "2003/04 matches". BasingstokeTown.net. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  61. 1 2 "Season 2004/2005:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  62. ↑ "Season 2005/2006:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  63. ↑ "Season 2006/2007:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  64. 1 2 3 "Season 2007/2008:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  65. ↑ "Season 2008/2009:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  66. 1 2 3 "Season 2009/2010:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  67. ↑ "Season 2010/2011:". Sportbox.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  68. ↑ "Tamworth 0–3 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
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