Craig Adams (footballer)

Craig John Adams (born 9th November 1974) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Northampton Town. A ball winning central defender who was highly regarded by team mates and opposition players. Craig signed for Northampton Town after turning down an apprenticeship at West Bromwich Albion where he had captained the u15s and u16s. Adams made 2 football league appearances in his 1st year of his apprenticeship with Northampton Town and was made captain of the reserve side there at the start of his 2nd year. After a successful loan period at Kings Lynn Town Fc under John Musgrove, Adams was offered a professional contract at Northampton and was an ever present with the reserve side displaying commanding performances in the middle of the defence Craig was asked to train with Norwich City who at the time were managed by Mike Walker. Unfortunately Craig was released by Northampton Town boss John Barwell in 1994 much to the disappointment of many local supporters. Craig then played several seasons with Dunstable Town, VS Rugby, Leicester Utd and Wellingborough Town Fc respectively. After early playing retirement, Adams moved into coaching and management with Wellingborough Town where he spent approximately 10 seasons, helping build the youth section whilst coaching the u16s,18s and the 1st team. It's said after taking over of the 1st team as manager, mid season in 2012 Adams and his team pulled off the most memorable 'Great Escape' the club had ever seen. On being given the managers job the team were 8 points adrift of 2nd bottom with 21 games remaining. Under Adams the club not only escaped relegation but finished a creditable 15th from 22 teams , this included a 13 game unbeaten run of matches. Towards the end of the following season Adams with Wellingborough Town sitting comfortably in the play off places he was approached by Bedford Town to become 1st team. Manager. After a stellar 1st season at Bedford Town which included a super FA Trophy run Adams left to be the assistant to Gary Mills at Rugby Town, a club which he played for when they were known as VS Rugby, but Adams left after a poor start to the season to become caretaker manager at his former club Wellingborough Town. In May 2016, Adams left his position as Peterborough United Under 16's manager to become the assistant manager to Chris Nunn at Biggleswade Town in the southern league premier where he helped them to their highest ever league position. Craig then assisted Rick Maheneckie at St Ives Town Fc for 2 seasons, again helping the club reach their highest ever league position. Craig also managed the St Ives Town academy full time for 2 years where his coaching helped several of the clubs u18s gain squad numbers with the 1st team. Adams is a UEFA A License coach who is meticulous in his approach but is also forward thinking and is extremely well respected by his peers for his thoroughness to detail and passion towards his club and players. As of December 2021 Adams left his post at St Ives Town Fc to relocate to Dorset with his eldest daughter..

References

General
* . Retrieved 28 October 2013.
Specific

1974 births
Living people
Footballers from Northampton
English men's footballers
Men's association football forwards
Northampton Town F.C. players
Rugby Town F.C. players
English Football League players
English football managers
Wellingborough Town F.C. managers
Bedford Town F.C. managers

{{England-footy-defender-1970s-stub