Edge Rewrite
everything Source code View original
// HTMLRewriter · presentation

This page was redesigned at the edge.

Cloudflare fetched the original article and streamed it through HTMLRewriter to apply an entirely new visual system without rebuilding the source page.

// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a226ddb9aec6a140

Jump to content

// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Matthew Craig say to the mattress? You're a great craig support.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matthew Craig
Personal information
Full name Matthew George Craig[1]
Date of birth (2003-04-16) 16 April 2003 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth Barnet, England[3]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Youth career
20??–2015 Watford
2015–2023 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2026 Tottenham Hotspur 1 (0)
2024 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 18 (1)
2024–2025 → Barnsley (loan) 14 (0)
2025 → Mansfield Town (loan) 5 (1)
2026– Port Vale 0 (0)
International career
2018–2019 Scotland U16 6 (0)
2021–2022 Scotland U19 6 (0)
2022 Scotland U21 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:36, 24 June 2026 (UTC)

Matthew George Craig (born 16 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL League Two club Port Vale. Born in England, he represented Scotland up to under-21 level. His identical twin brother, Michael, is also a professional footballer, as was their grandfather, Ron Still.

Craig turned professional at Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, making his Premier League debut in May 2023. He had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley, and Mansfield Town. He left Spurs to join Port Vale in June 2026.

Early life

[edit]

Matthew George Craig and his older identical twin brother, Michael, were born two minutes apart at Barnet Hospital on 16 March 2003.[5] Their grandfather, Aberdeen-born Ron Still, top-scored for Notts County in the 1965–66 season.[6] Their father, David, played non-League football for Cockfosters and Broxbourne.[7]

Craig was a county cup winner and 1,500m district champion while attending Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar.[3]

Career

[edit]

Tottenham Hotspur

[edit]

Craig is a youth product of Watford who moved to the academy of Tottenham Hotspur with his brother at the age of 12.[8] He first played for the under-18 team in 2018–19, and went on to miss just one game of the 2020–21 campaign under the stewardship of Matthew Taylor.[9] In May 2021, he signed a two-year professional contract at Spurs,[10] moving to the Development Squad.[3] He went on to captain the under-21 team.[11] He and his brother were named by Nuno Espírito Santo in a matchday squad for a UEFA Europa Conference League game in August 2021, the first time that identical twins appeared on a squadlist for the club.[3][12] He was named in matchday squads for the final five Premier League games of the 2021–22 season after manager Antonio Conte faced an injury crisis.[3][13] Twin Michael was sold to Reading in the summer.[14] Craig stayed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and made his senior debut under Ryan Mason as a late substitute in a 4–1 win over Leeds United on 28 May 2023.[15] He signed a new three-year contract in July 2023.[16]

On 9 January 2024, Craig joined League Two club Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season after being tracked by manager Grant McCann since the start of the campaign.[17] He helped Donny to show a drastic upturn in form and move from one place above the relegation zone to qualifying for the League Two play-offs with a club record ten straight victories,[18][19] of which he played nine.[20] He said he had "loved every minute" of his time at the Eco-Power Stadium.[21] Rovers were beaten by Crewe Alexandra on penalties in the play-off semi-finals.[22] He played 20 matches, scoring once against Grimsby Town and providing two assists.[23][24]

On 22 July 2024, Craig joined League One club Barnsley on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.[25] He played 16 games for the Tykes,[26] initially starting under Darrell Clarke before being dropped to the bench in November and from the matchday squad entirely over the new year.[27] Clarke praised Craig, but said there was "serious competition for places" in the Barnsley midfield from Luca Connell and Kelechi Nwakali.[28][29] On 9 January 2025, Craig was recalled from his loan at Oakwell, allowing him to join fellow League One side Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.[30] Doncaster Rovers had attempted to re-sign him.[31] Mansfield manager Nigel Clough said he would provide competition for Louis Reed at Field Mill.[32] He played six games for the Stags, scoring one goal,[33] before his loan spell was ended by an Anterior cruciate ligament injury that saw him sidelined for eight months.[34] He was released by Spurs at the end of the 2025–26 season.[35]

Port Vale

[edit]

On 24 June 2026, Craig signed a three-year contract with League Two club Port Vale, with manager Jon Brady saying he fitted the desired player profile of being "young, hungry and on an upward trajectory in his career".[36] He was signed to compete with George Byers for a first-team place.[37]

International career

[edit]

Craig has represented Scotland at age group level. He said of he and his brother's international allegiance, "Both of my grandfathers are Scottish. Obviously, once Scotland came calling, it was a big honour to be selected here. There wasn't a debate".[38] He captained Scotland in younger age groups.[39]

Style of play

[edit]

Craig is a central defensive midfielder, though can also play in defence as a right-back or centre-back.[9] He has been praised for his reading of the game, using his intelligence and stamina in defence whilst maintaining calm in attack to play simple passes.[9]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 27 April 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tottenham Hotspur U21 2021–22[40] ———1[a]010
2022–23[41] ———2[a]020
2023–24[42] ———1[a]010
Total 0000004040
Tottenham Hotspur 2021–22[40] Premier League 0000000000
2022–23[41] Premier League 1000000010
2023–24[42] Premier League 0000000000
2024–25[33] Premier League 0000000000
2025–26[43] Premier League 0000000000
Total 1000000010
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2023–24[42] League Two 181——2[b]0201
Barnsley (loan) 2024–25[33] League One 140002000160
Mansfield Town (loan) 2024–25[33] League One 5110000061
Port Vale 2026–27[44] League Two 0000000000
Career total 382102060472
  1. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearance(s) in the League Two play-offs

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". www.premierleague.com. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Matthew Craig at Soccerway
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Matthew Craig". Tottenham Hotspur FC. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Thirkill, Stephen (9 January 2025). "Spurs midfielder - with EFL experience at Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers - joins Mansfield Town on loan for the rest of the season". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Villalpando, Eduardo (20 August 2021). "Craig twins make Spurs history". VAVEL. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  6. ↑ McPartlin, Patrick (19 August 2021). "Michael and Matthew Craig: Who are the Scottish twins in the Tottenham squad for Paços de Ferreira clash?". The Scotsman. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Freeman, Will (1 November 2022). "Lowdown on Matthew Craig, the 19-year-old midfielder seen in Tottenham training". Football London. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Freeman, Will (1 November 2022). "Lowdown on Matthew Craig, the 19-year-old midfielder seen in Tottenham training". Football.London.
  9. 1 2 3 "My piece on a mainstay of the Spurs Under 18 side during the 2020/21 season – Matthew Craig:". superhotspur. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  10. ↑ Cahill, Sean (5 May 2021). "Tottenham Hotspur sign four academy players to professional contracts". Cartilage Free Captain.
  11. ↑ O'Kane, Doug (22 July 2024). "Barnsley set to sign Matthew Craig". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  12. ↑ Pilcher, Ross (19 August 2021). "The Scottish identical twins making history for Spurs in Europa Conference clash". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  13. ↑ Paphitis, Anthony (8 May 2022). "Report: Spurs promote five youth players into first-team training amidst injury concerns". Spurs Web. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  14. ↑ George-Miller, Dustin (22 July 2024). "DONE DEAL: Matthew Craig heads to Barnsley on season-long loan". Cartilage Free Captain. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Leeds 1-4 Tottenham: Harry Kane nets twice to relegate Leeds from Premier League but Spurs miss out on Europe". Sky Sports. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Craig signs new contract". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Coates, Tom (9 January 2024). "Doncaster Rovers bolster ranks with signing of Premier League midfielder on loan". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Guest, Rob (26 April 2024). "Tottenham have loan success story that has gone completely under the radar". Football London. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Matthew Craig Joins The Reds". Barnsley FC. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Stags Sign Matthew Craig On Loan From Spurs". stagsnet.net. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  21. ↑ Coates, Tom (28 March 2024). "Doncaster Rovers loanee on possibility of extending stay as Tottenham Hotspur decision looms". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Rayner, Stuart (16 October 2024). "'When you go on loan for the first time I wouldn't say you're nervous but you're a bit unsure'". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Craig bags first ever professional goal and assist in key week for Doncaster". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  24. ↑ O'Rourke, Pete (12 December 2024). "Exclusive: Tottenham could terminate Matthew Craig's Barnsley deal". www.footballinsider247.com. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Craig loaned to Barnsley". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  26. ↑ "Craig joins Mansfield on loan". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Elliott, Adam (6 January 2025). "Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers plot move for Spurs player". Football League World. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  28. ↑ Rayner, Stuart (19 December 2024). "Barnsley coach Darrell Clarke admits he has decision to make over Matty Craig loan from Tottenham Hotspur". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Matty Craig recalled by Tottenham Hotspur". Barnsley Chronicle. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Stags secure Premier League midfielder on loan". Mansfield Town FC. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  31. ↑ Coates, Tom (7 January 2025). "Doncaster Rovers 'racing' to land midfielder as recall from Barnsley considered". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Matthew Craig: Tottenham midfielder joins Mansfield on loan". BBC Sport. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  34. ↑ @ChrisCowlin (22 January 2026). "Spurs midfielder Matthew Craig is expected to get some minutes for the U21s this Friday as Spurs travel to Stoke (7pm kick-off), having been out since April. He suffered an ACL Injury whilst on loan at Mansfield Town. The 22-year-old midfielder played 20 minutes in a behind closed doors friendly against Crawley recently and is now ready to come back into Wayne Burnett's team. • He made his senior and professional debut with Tottenham Hotspur as a late substitute in a 4–1 Premier League win over Leeds United on 28 May 2023 • Craig has had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley and Mansfield Town #COYS #THFC" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  35. ↑ "Men's player update". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 10 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  36. ↑ "Matthew Craig is a Valiant". Port Vale FC. 24 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  37. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (28 June 2026). "Representing the Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  38. ↑ Walker, Mark (21 September 2022). "Matthew Craig wants to be first twin to play for Scotland". The Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  39. ↑ Duffy, Mark (10 January 2025). "Tottenham Hotspur midfielder excited by challenge after joining Mansfield Town on loan". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  41. 1 2 "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  42. 1 2 3 "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Matthew Craig in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matthew_Craig&oldid=1362851059"