Dorking Wanderers can today announce that, further to his fractured fibula, sustained in the recent league fixture against Horsham during the Easter weekend, defender Tony Craig has announced his retirement from football.
Back in January 2023, Tony joined Dorking Wanderers as the club’s most experienced football player, following an illustrious career in the English Football League.
It was a career which began with Tony rising through the youth ranks at Millwall FC, going on to make his first team debut for the South London club in 2003. Making an extraordinary 300 appearances across four spells for The Lions, Tony was part of the team promoted from League One via the play-offs in 2010 and 2017 respectively, captaining the side in 2017 as Millwall defeated Bradford City 1-0 in front of over 50,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium.
A versatile defender who has played centrally and also as a full-back, in the period of his career away from The Den, Tony would continue to play in the capital for the likes of Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient and most notably Brentford. He enjoyed success with The Bees in the 2013/14 campaign as they secured promotion from League One with a runners-up finish, and Tony was also awarded the Players’ Player of the Year at the conclusion of that season. Following his final spell with Millwall in January 2018, Tony continued to play in the Football League with Bristol Rovers and Crawley Town, racking up nearly a century of appearances at each club.
After initially joining on loan and playing a pivotal role in Wanderers maintaining their National League Premier status in their first season at Step 1 in 23/24, Tony’s career at Meadowbank has ultimately continued for a further 3 full seasons and 135 appearances altogether. A mainstay at the heart of defence and an inspirational leader throughout this time in red and white, Tony was awarded the Players’ Player of the Season at the end of the 24/25 campaign.
Overall, Tony can proudly reflect on a senior football career which has lasted a remarkable 23 years. Away from playing, Tony has already begun a career in coaching, previously working with Bristol Rovers U15s and U23s, and currently working with Millwall Youth Academy.
Immensely proud of his career and his contribution to Dorking Wanderers over these past few years, Manager Marc White adds the following:
“I am so proud of what Tony has achieved in his career, and feel privileged that we are able to recognise what has been an outstanding contribution to the game. Tony is old school, a consummate professional, fitter in his 40s than people half his age and has ultimately finished his career playing against players that could only dream of what Tony has achieved.”
“A fan’s favourite at every club he has played for due to his unwavering will to win, Tony is an example to all young footballers. All of us at Dorking Wanderers have loved having Tony and his family around for the past 4 years and I want to thank him personally for everything he has done for the club and for the high professional standards he has shown. Tony has given everything to the game, and the game has rewarded Tony with incredible success and memories. A warrior. A true footballing legend.”
Everyone at Dorking Wanderers Football Club sincerely thanks Tony for all his efforts on and off the field over recent years, and wishes Tony the very best with his retirement and the next chapter of his career. We hope as many supporters as possible can join us at Meadowbank for our final scheduled home game of the season this coming Saturday, 18 April against Bath City where there will be a special presentation to Tony prior to kick-off.