We’ll always miss you Faz

CRAIG FARRELL 1982-2022

By Jon Couch

MUCH LOVED: Craig Farrell in action for Rushden and Carlisle, inset

PICTURE: Alamy

TRIBUTES have poured in this week for former York City and Rushden & Diamonds striker Craig Farrell, who has died at the age of 39.

The former England youth starlet enjoyed a sterling career in both the Football League and Non-League before retiring in February 2015, while at Whitby Town, due to a serious hip injury.

Farrell will perhaps by best remembered for his three years at York City, where he scored the third fastest hat-trick in the club’s history in an FA Cup win over Rushall Olympic.

Leading the tributes, the Minstermen tweeted: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Craig Farrell, aged 39.

Breakthrough

“Craig made 111 appearances and scored 27 goals for City between 2006 and 2009. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Farrell started his career with hometown club Middlesbrough before moving to Leeds United in 1998.

He never made an appearance for either side but got his breakthrough at Carlisle United, scoring 17 goals in 74 appearances.

A season at Exeter City followed before Farrell joined then Conference Premier side York in 2006, later moving to league rivals Oxford United on loan.

Two more years in the Conference at Rushden & Diamonds led to a move to newly promoted Telford United in the summer of 2011 before he joined Conference North side Hinckley United six months later.

A permanent deal with the Knitters saw him score six times in 18 games before brief spells at Blyth Spartans and Whitby saw out his career.

Farrell also won three caps for England Under-16s, scoring once at the Euro U16s tournament in 1999, in a 3-1 win over Slovakia.

Sympathies

His former clubs continued the tributes with Telford commenting: “Sad news reaches us of the untimely passing of former Bucks striker Craig Farrell, who played for the club in the 2011-12 season.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to Craig’s friends and family at this difficult time.”

Hinckley AFC added: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Hinckley United striker Craig Farrell aged just 39. He played for United in 2011/12, memorably scoring in a 5-5 draw v Stalybridge and twice in a come-from-behind win at Histon. Rest in peace, Craig.”

Blyth Spartans tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Blyth player Craig Farrell. Rest in peace, Faz.”

And Whitby said: “Everyone at Whitby Town is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of former player Craig Farrell. Rest in peace, Faz.”