# Craig Tanner (footballer)

Craig David Tanner (born 27 October 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger who plays for Southern League Premier Division South club AFC Totton.
Tanner began his career with Reading and spent time on loan at AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle (twice) before joining Motherwell in June 2017.

## Career
### Reading

Tanner joined Reading's under-8s academy team in 2003. In March 2011, Tanner signed his first professional contract with Reading, going through to the end of the 2014–15 season. Tanner made his debut, and scored his first goal, for Reading in their 3–1 League Cup victory over Newport County on 12 August 2014, coming on as a substitute.
On 22 January 2015, Tanner signed a new contract with Reading, lasting until the summer of 2017, and joined AFC Wimbledon on loan for the rest of the season.

#### Plymouth Argyle (loans)

On 5 August 2015, Tanner signed for Plymouth Argyle on loan until 2 January 2016. Tanner scored his first goal for the club, a stunning volley from the edge of the area, in a 2–1 defeat against Gillingham in the League Cup. On 6 January 2016, Tanner's loan at Plymouth Argyle was extended until the end of the season.
On 18 August 2016, Tanner returned to Plymouth Argyle on loan until 16 January 2017, extending his stay until the end of the season on 16 January 2017.

### Motherwell

On 5 June 2017, Motherwell announced the signing of Tanner on a two-year contract. He made his debut for the club away to Queen's Park in the group stage of the Scottish League Cup, scoring Motherwell's second goal in a 5–1 win. He scored his first league goal on 30 September 2017, in a 3–0 win at home against Partick Thistle. Tanner's first season at Motherwell ended early when he suffered a knee injury in training, described by manager Stephen Robinson as a "freak incident" which was expected to keep him out for up to six months.
In November 2018, having twice undergone surgery on his injury, Motherwell assistant manager Keith Lasley announced that Tanner would remain out until at least January 2019. Having failed to feature during the 2018–19 season, he was offered a short-term contract with a view to an extension upon his return to fitness.
Having made his return to action he featured for Motherwell's reserve side. However, on 2 September 2019, he left the club having turned down their contract offer.

### Aldershot Town

On 9 December 2019, Aldershot Town announced the signing of Tanner on a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.

### Ebbsfleet United

On 21 June 2021, Tanner joined National League South side Ebbsfleet United, rejecting a contract extension with Aldershot.
On 23 January 2025, he departed the club by mutual consent.

### AFC Totton

On 24 January 2025, Tanner joined Southern League Premier Division South club AFC Totton.

## Career statistics

    As of 24 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Reading | 2014–15 | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 5 | 1 |
| Reading | 2015–16 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| Reading | 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reading | Total | Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| AFC Wimbledon (Loan) | 2014–15 | League Two | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Plymouth Argyle (Loan) | 2015–16 | League Two | 42 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 50 | 6 |
| Plymouth Argyle (Loan) | 2016–17 | League Two | 26 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 6 |
| Plymouth Argyle (Loan) | Total | Total | 68 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 84 | 12 |
| Motherwell | 2017–18 | Scottish Premiership | 26 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 36 | 9 |
| Motherwell | 2018–19 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| Motherwell | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| Motherwell | Total | Total | 26 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 9 |
| Aldershot Town | 2019–20 | National League | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| Aldershot Town | 2020–21 | National League | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 |
| Aldershot Town | Total | Total | 28 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 7 |
| Ebbsfleet United | 2021–22 | National League South | 32 | 7 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 1 | 36 | 8 |
| Ebbsfleet United | 2022–23 | National League South | 22 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 28 | 4 |
| Ebbsfleet United | 2023–24 | National League | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| Ebbsfleet United | 2024–25 | National League | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Ebbsfleet United | Total | Total | 96 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 112 | 13 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 240 | 34 | 20 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 3 | 286 | 42 |
* ↑ Appearances in The EFL Championship Playoffs
* 1 2 Appearances in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Three Appearances in Play-offs and three appearances in the Football League Trophy
* 1 2 3 Appearance in the FA Trophy
* ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in National League South play-offs
* ↑ Appearance(s) in National League Cup

## Honours

Reading
* U21 Premier League Cup: 2013–14
Ebbsfleet United
* National League South: 2022–23