STV Local asked me to write a blog about Motherwell Captain Stephen Craigan’s testimonial. Here are my thoughts for anyone who is interested.
For some players a football club is just somewhere they work, for others it’s a stepping stone to better things. For Stephen Craigan, Motherwell is home. The Northern Irishman first turned out in claret and amber in 1997. He took a three year break to help Partick Thistle win back to back promotions but since his return to Fir Park in 2003, he has become a Motherwell legend. It is with great pleasure that the Motherwell fans can pay tribute to their captain with his testimonial against Partick Thistle.
Legend is an overused word but Craigan lives and breathes Motherwell. He should be every fan’s dream player. No doubt there have been opportunities to move on to other clubs but he has seen enough to realise that the grass isn’t always greener. It’s rare in any job for someone to show such loyalty but in the ever changing world of football Craigan has shown real commitment. In his 351 appearances so far he has fought for every ball, gone in for every tackle and shown himself to be a true leader.
You only needed to watch him score his Scottish Cup semi-final goal at Hampden last April to see how much pride he has for the club. His reaction was a wonder to see. In that moment he was living every fan’s dream and he knew it. No one deserved that moment of glory more. That was one of the great highs. There have been some terrible lows as well but overall as and player and a man he has shown great consistency.
Craigan returned to Motherwell under the stewardship of Terry Butcher. Despite being aged just 26 he was one of the senior members of the team in the more frugal era following administration. He has always led by example. Over the years he has partnered a great number of players at the back from David Partridge initially to youngsters Brian Mclean and Mark Reynolds to his current partner Shaun Hutchinson. He has mentored these players through games and helped them develop from youth players into first team regulars.
It is incredible that a player can stay so settled when he has played under so many managers. In his second spell at Fir Park the number 5 has played under Terry Butcher, Maurice Malpas, Mark McGhee, Jim Gannon, Craig Brown and now Stuart McCall. That just one of these men omitted him from the regular starting line-up says it all about the qualities others see in him.
These traits have gained him international recognition. First capped at Thistle he went on to establish himself as a Northern Ireland regular while at Motherwell becoming our most capped player by some distance, with a sensational 54 caps.
In recent years Craigan has become a regular media pundit and has always represents his views with intelligence and dignity. In the often negative spotlight of the Scottish media, Craigan is a fantastic ambassador for Motherwell Football Club.
Playing Partick Thistle is hardly a glamour tie for a man who has given so much. It is however a fitting fixture and sums up his career perfectly – keeping things simple and to the point. These are the only two professional clubs for which Craigan has played. Anyone who knows the Scottish game will want to pay tribute to one of its great defensive exponents. While the attendance won’t be earth shattering, those who do turn out will do so with a great deal of respect and affection.
