Yorkshire born Andy Crawford joined Derby County as an apprentice and
subsequently learned his trade in the "Rams" reserve side. When Tommy
Docherty named him as a substitute for County's FA Cup fourth round tie
with Birmingham City in February 1978, the small but neat striker was
just two days beyond his nineteenth birthday. Crawford's league debut
against Liverpool the following month resulted in a 4-2 victory, and
more importantly Andy's first senior goal: a close range effort from a
David Langan cross. Although Crawford maintained his place in the side
for a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, a 3-1 home reverse against Birmingham City
saw him demoted back to second team football. Docherty's side meanwhile
defeated Arsenal on the last day of the season to secure twelth place in
the First Division table.
It was March 1979 before Andy was recalled to
the first team squad. His return was prompted by four goals in two
reserve outings and, after coming on as a substitute against Leeds
United, he held his place for a dozen games. County were hanging on to
their First Division lives at the time and Crawford netted goals in a
2-1 defeat by West Bromwich Albion and a 2-2 draw with Queens Park
Rangers. Additionally he scored a magnificent dipping volley against
Ipswich Town, a 2-1 defeat ending a sequence of three consecutive away
draws.
Although Derby avoided relegation, a nineteenth place finish saw
Docherty resign and be replaced by Colin Addison. Andy made just five
appearances for the new manager , a £50000 deal with Blackburn Rovers
seeing him move to the Lancashire side in October 1979. In all
competitions he wore the "Rams" shirt on twenty-five occassions,
including eight as a substitute. He netted five goals and, given the
fact that he was top scorer in his first season at Blackburn, was a
young player who Derby should probably have persevered with for much
longer. (Mike Cockayne)
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Club Career.
Feb, 1985. Torquay United .3 appearances.
Dec, 1984. Stockport County. 6 appearances. 2 goals.
Oct, 1983. Middlesbrough. 8 appearances. 1 goal.
Aug, 1983. Cardiff City. 6 appearances 1 goal.
Nov, 1981. Bournemouth. 31 games 10 goals.
Oct, 1979. Blackburn Rovers. 56 games 21 goals.
Jan 1977. Derby County. 21 games. 4 goals.