Claude William Craddock

Claude William Craddock was born in Grimsby, but moved to Gillingham in 1905.

His father, Joe, was the trainer at Gillingham F.C., and in season 1924-25 his Claude signed on as an amateur with the club, turning professional the following season. Gillingham’s manager, Mr Curtis, moved to Brentford F.C. and promptly signed Craddock. In his last season with them he made twelve appearances and scored five goals.

Claude signed for Dundee F.C. on 11^th February 1928, for what was reported as a “considerable sum.” He made his Dens Park debut on the 18^th February in a third round Scottish Cup match defeat against Dunfermline. It wasn’t an impressive start. Things were to improve though, and he became a regular in the forward line, often garnering praise as the best of the attack.

Unfortunately he suffered a few injuries, which kept him out of the team, sometimes playing whilst not being fully fit.

It was probably due to the run of injuries that he was placed on the transfer list at the end of the 1928-29 season.

By July he was a Sheppey United player.

He made his way to the north-west in 1930 signing for Rochdale, where he regularly scored goals for a season. Then a move to the north-east saw him join Darlington, by this time he was starting to slow down but was still a consistent goal scorer.

His final club was Tunbridge Well Rangers who played in the Kent League. He must still have shown potential, as both Rochdale and Darlington were keen to re-sign him.

As his career wound to a close, he became pub licensee of The Bull in Chatham, which he ran until he retired in 1971. Upon retirement he moved to Gillingham, where he could watch the “Gills” of which he was a life-long supporter and shareholder.