Jim Crawford (footballer)
James "Jim" Crawford (born 1 May 1973) is an Irish former professional footballer and current football coach. He played as a midfielder for Bohemians, Newcastle United, Rotherham United, Dundee United, Reading, Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal. Born in Chicago in the United States, he represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level. Playing career. Crawford began his career at schoolboy level with Rangers before moving to Bohemians making his debut against Bray Wanderers on 3 November 1991. He soon became a big favourite at Dalymount Park and won the PFAI Young Player of the Year for the 1993–94  season. Represented Republic of Ireland at the World Student Games in 1993. This form attracted Newcastle United and he moved to Tyneside in 1995. While playing for Newcastle, Crawford found his first-team opportunities limited (scoring only once in a pre-season game against Derry City) and was sent out on loan to both Rotherham United and Dundee United before signing up for Reading in March 1998, with Tommy Burns at the helm. Burns was sacked and he failed to prove himself under the new managership. Crawford's next destination was Shelbourne back in Ireland whom he helped to four  League of Ireland championships. He signed a new one-year contract on 25 February 2007 with Shels as they got their preparations in place for the new First Division season following the FAI's decision to demote the reigning champions. He was swiftly appointed captain by new manager, Dermot Keely. Crawford's last seasons at Shelbourne were hampered by numerous injuries which limited his appearances. After eight immensely successful seasons at Shelbourne, Crawford departed the club in December 2007. Crawford was quoted as saying: Crawford joined newly formed Sporting Fingal in February 2008, though he retired through injury at the  end of their first season. Coaching. Crawford took over as interim manager at Shamrock Rovers after Pat Scully's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 16 October 2008. Crawford was Head Coach of the Republic of Ireland U18's from 2016-2019. He initially took charge of the home based international side which meets Wales in the John Coughlan Memorial Cup on an annual basis Crawford took the full U18 international squad from the start of the 2016-17 campaign and he was named coach of the tournament at the Slovakia Cup in April 2017. On 5 April 2020  he was announced as the successor to Stephen Kenny as manager of the Republic of Ireland under-21 team Honours. Club. Shelbourne