Craig Conway (footballer)

Craig Ian Conway (born 2 May 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone. He made seven full international appearances for the Scottish national team between 2009 and 2013.

Craig Conway
Conway playing for Blackburn Rovers in 2016
Personal information
Full name Craig Ian Conway[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-02) 2 May 1985
Place of birth Irvine, Scotland
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position(s) Winger
Club information
Current team
 St Johnstone
Number 7
Youth career
Ayr United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Ayr United 61 (7)
2006–2011 Dundee United 137 (13)
2011–2014 Cardiff City 58 (5)
2013 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 13 (1)
2014–2019 Blackburn Rovers 178 (19)
2019–2020 Salford City 20 (0)
2020– St Johnstone 22 (3)
National team‡
2009–2013 Scotland 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 03:41, 4 February 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20:11, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

Conway started his career with Ayr United before moving to Scottish Premier League side Dundee United in 2006. Ayr did not receive compensation for the deal until 10 months after he left. In 2011, he moved to Championship side Cardiff on a free transfer. In September 2013, he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Football League Championship on a three-month loan. In January 2014, Conway joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a ​2 1⁄2-year deal. After leaving Blackburn in 2019, he had a short spell with Salford City, before signing for St Johnstone in 2020.

Career

Dundee United

Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Conway started his career with Caledonian Boys Club in Prestwick and later signed with Ayr United, making 61 league appearances for the club and scoring seven times. Conway's good form alerted then-Dundee United manager Craig Brewster and he agreed a pre-contract deal with Conway to bring him to Tannadice, with the transfer completed on 1 June 2006, with compensation decided ten months later.[2] Largely used as a substitute under Brewster, Conway started the majority of matches under Craig Levein and assisted more goals than any other United player in 2006–07. In February 2007, Conway suffered a broken foot which appeared to end his season prematurely.[3] However, Conway appeared in the final four matches of the season. Although playing at the start of the following season, it transpired that Conway was suffering similar issues and it was discovered that a bone graft was needed, ruling Conway out for the last three months of 2007.[4]

Conway returned to action in 2007–08, playing three matches before being sidelined for four months, returning in December. He scored his first goal for the club a month later in the 2–1 win over Kilmarnock in January[5] and two matches later, scored the third goal in the 4–1 League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen.[6]

Conway signed a two-year contract extension in September 2008 to extend his time at Tannadice until 2011.[7] On 15 May 2010, Conway scored two goals in a man of the match performance as United beat Ross County 3–0 in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final. In April 2011, United manager Peter Houston indicated that he expected Conway to leave the club at the end of the season, due to the Terrors being unable to match his wage demands.[8]

Cardiff City
Conway playing for Cardiff City in 2012

On 21 June 2011, Conway confirmed that he had agreed terms with Cardiff City and that he would have a medical within the next couple of days.[9] Conway completed his move and signed a three-year contract with the Bluebirds on 23 June 2011.[10] He made his debut in a 1–0 win over West Ham United on the opening day of the Championship season.[11] Conway scored his first goal for Cardiff the following game against Oxford United in the Football League Cup.[12] He then followed up his goal against Oxford with another goal against Bristol City in the league just four days later. Conway's third came as the winning goal against Huddersfield Town, putting the Bluebirds through to the third round of the League Cup. He made his 250th career appearance in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace on 5 November. Conway was an unused substitute at Wembley in the League Cup Final. In April 2012, Conway was selected for the match against Watford, but was taken off with 32 minutes played following a tackle made by Jonathan Hogg, which resulted in an ankle injury and ended his season, four games early.[13]

Conway returned in time for pre-season.[14] He made his competitive return on 14 August 2012 against Northampton in a 2–1 League Cup defeat. Following a lack of first team football during the season, Conway put in a transfer request on 23 November 2012 after starting only two games out of his four total appearances. The request was rejected by manager, Malky Mackay.[15] Conway was included in the squad for the next two games following the request and he made an appearance against Derby County. His first goal of the season came on 2 December, where he scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday, which ensured Cardiff beat their Club record of nine successive home wins. Following a run of successful performances, Conway withdrew his transfer request on 21 December,[16] and went on to play a crucial role in Cardiff's Championship-winning season, including scoring the goal that sealed the title in a 1–1 draw at Turf Moor against Burnley in April.

Loan to Brighton & Hove Albion

On 13 September 2013, Conway joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on a 93-day short-term loan, running until 14 December 2013.[17] Conway scored his first and only goal in this loan period on 7 December 2013, in the 3–1 victory against Leicester City.[18]

Blackburn Rovers

On 31 January 2014, Transfer Deadline Day, Conway joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a ​2 1⁄2-year deal.[19] Conway scored his first goal for the club on 22 February 2014 in a 1–0 win away against Reading.[20] On 10 December 2015, Conway signed a new deal which will keep him until 2018.[21] After Blackburn were relegated to League One,[22] Conway stayed with Blackburn but was gradually dropped from the starting eleven after suffering multiple injuries and a dip in form.[23]

He entered into talks for a new contract with Blackburn at the end of the 2017–18 season which resulted in him extending his contract by another year with an option for a further twelve months.[24][25]

On 25 May 2019 Conway confirmed he would be leaving at the end of his current contract after five and a half years at Rovers.[26]

Salford City

In October 2019,Conway signed for Salford City on a short-term deal.[27] His contract was later extended to the end of the 2019–20 season.[28] He was released by the club on 16 May 2020.[29] He made his début against Walsall, providing the assist for Luke Armstrong to open the scoring in a 3–0 triumph as Salford won away for the first time in the English Football League.[30]

St Johnstone

On 31 July 2020, Conway signed for Scottish club St Johnstone, on a one-year deal.[31] He scored his first goals for St Johnstone when he scored twice in a 5-3 win over Hamilton Academical on 17 October 2020.[32]

International career

Conway made his international debut under George Burley on 10 October 2009 against Japan, he started the game but Scotland lost 2–0.[33] It took him two years to make his next appearance for Scotland, which came in the 2011 Nations Cup against Northern Ireland, this time Scotland won 3–0.[34] His third appearance for Scotland was on 11 November 2011 in a 2–1 friendly victory over Cyprus in Larnaca.

Most recently, he was a substitute in the 3–2 friendly loss to England at Wembley in August 2013.[35]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 3 February 2021
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ayr United 2002–03[36] Scottish First Division 1000000010
2003–04[37] Scottish First Division 6010001[lower-alpha 1]080
2004–05[38] Scottish Second Division 23332101[lower-alpha 1]0285
2005–06[39] Scottish Second Division 314301000354
Total 617722020729
Dundee United 2006–07[40] Scottish Premier League 3002020—340
2007–08[41] Scottish Premier League 1512021—192
2008–09[42] Scottish Premier League 3652040—425
2009–10[43] Scottish Premier League 3346230—426
2010–11[44] Scottish Premier League 23340001[lower-alpha 2]0283
Total 137131621111016516
Cardiff City 2011–12[45] Championship 3131062—385
2012–13[46] Championship 2720010—282
2013–14[47] Premier League 000010—10
Total 585108200677
Brighton and Hove Albion 2013–14[47] Championship 1310000—131
Blackburn Rovers 2013–14[47] Championship 1840000—184
2014–15[48] Championship 3835110—444
2015–16[49] Championship 3533000—383
2016–17[50] Championship 4262021—467
2017–18[51] League One 24220101[lower-alpha 3]0282
2018–19[52] Championship 2112031—262
Total 17819141721020022
Salford City 2019–20[53] League Two 20010002[lower-alpha 3]0230
St Johnstone 2020–21[54] Scottish Premiership 2230061—284
Career total 489483953466056859
  1. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

International appearances
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland[55] 200910
201120
201340
Total70

Honours

Dundee United

Cardiff City

Blackburn Rovers

References
  1. "Craig Conway". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  2. "Ayr settle over Conway transfer". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 April 2007.
  3. "Dundee United hit by Conway blow". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 February 2007.
  4. "Breaks not going United's way". The Courier. DC Thomson. 11 September 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  5. "Kilmarnock 1–2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  6. "Aberdeen 1–4 Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  7. "Conway agrees new Tannadice deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2008.
  8. "Conway, Buaben and Gomis to leave Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 April 2011.
  9. "Craig Conway chooses Cardiff City over Rangers". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  10. "Craig Conway signing confirmed". Cardiff City FC. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  11. "West Ham 0 – 1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  12. "Oxford Utd 1 – 3 Cardiff". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  13. "Injured Conway's season at end". Cardiff City FC. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  14. "Conway raring to go". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  15. "Cardiff City reject Craig Conway transfer request". South Wales Echo. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  16. "Craig Conway withdraws request to leave Cardiff City". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  17. "Albion Sign Conway - News - Brighton & Hove Albion".
  18. "Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 Leicester City". BBC Sport. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  19. "Rovers Complete Conway Signing". Blackburn Rovers FC. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  20. "A great three points". Rovers. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  21. "Craig Conway: Blackburn Rovers winger signs new contract". BBC Sport. 10 December 2015.
  22. Doyle, Paul (7 May 2017). "Blackburn relegated to League One despite winning at Brentford". The Guardian.
  23. "Rovers boss Tony Mowbray provides injury updates on Craig Conway and Rekeem Harper". Lancashire Telegraph.
  24. "Blackburn Rovers: Danny Graham and Craig Conway in contract talks". BBC Sport. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  25. "Conway Signs New Deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  26. "Craig Conway calls time on Rovers career after 5 years". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  27. Lord, Adam (5 October 2019). "Former Rovers winger Craig Conway joins Salford City". Lancashire Telegraph.
  28. "Craig Conway: Salford City extends deal with League Two side to end of the season". BBC Sport. 2 January 2020.
  29. "Salford City Released and Retained List, 2019-2020". salfordcityfc.co.uk. 16 May 2020.
  30. "Walsall 0-3 Salford: City record historic first EFL away win at Banks's Stadium". BBC Sport. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  31. "Conway:"I'm buzzing to get started"". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk.
  32. "Hamilton 3-5 St Johnstone". BBC. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  33. "Berra blunder hits Scotland". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  34. "Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  35. "Craig Conway: Cardiff City winger joins Brighton on loan". BBC Sport. 13 September 2013.
  36. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  37. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  38. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  39. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  40. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  41. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  42. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  43. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  44. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  45. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  46. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  47. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  48. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  49. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  50. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  51. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  52. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  53. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  54. "Games played by Craig Conway in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  55. Craig Conway at the Scottish Football Association
  56. Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.
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