5'9"  10st.8lb.
b. Burton on Trent  17 February 1974
 

Debut 28 September 1996 (22y 224d) Final Game 16 May 1999 (25y 88d)
First Goal 22 November 1997
CAREER: Tynsel Parks First School;Windsor Park Middle School;Thomas Alleynes GS;Port Vale;Grimsby Town                                                             Jul'92[139+10-3];Blackburn Rovers Apr'96 (£1,000,000);Ipswich Town Sep'99 (£800,000)[20+9-1];Wigan                                                         Athletic Mar'02 (loan)[7]; Cardiff City Mar'02 (loan) Jul'02-Jun'05 (free)[65+12-3];Grimsby Town Aug'05 (free)                                         [26+7];Burton Albion Jul’07 (trial);Lincoln City Jul’07 (free)[20].
SQUAD NUMBER  34 Mar’96 - 20 Aug’97.
 

PL           33 + 7 apps    1 gl  - 9 wdn                                                  41 ns
FAC         4 + 2 apps             - 1 wdn                                                     2 ns
FLC          6 apps                                                                                     2 ns
UEFA                                                                                                        2 ns
Total      43 + 9 apps   1 gl   -10 wdn + 274m -242 m  et 30m      47 ns
Penalty record (SO) T 1 Sc 1

Croft will forever be remembered as the first professional footballer to play the game wearing an electronic tag. Imprisoned for motoring offences he was released under electronic surveillance and returned to the game sporting the requisite appendage for a period. By then he was an Ipswich player but he joined the Rovers in 1996 as part of Ray Harford's plans to strengthen the championship winning team. Enthusiastic, quick into the tackle and with the ability to cover vast areas when exposed he had talent but was often indecisive. Although naturally left footed he looked more composed on the other flank in brief appearances there. Over several seasons he never cemented a starting place nor did he at Ipswich or Cardiff. He grew up in Uttoxeter, where his father, Roger, was a noted amateur footballer. When his career was over he remained in Grimsby, opening up an estate agency. As befits a man with eight good GCSE passes, he lived a full life combining his business interests with commentating for Radio Humberside, coaching at the Grimsby Borough Allstars and acting with the Not in our Community group.