I've still got some man-love for him though.

Could have been one of the best forwards to play in an FC shirt, and occasion he was the best player on the pitch.

He could have been an all time great if his attitude had matched his ability.



Sadly he seemed to save his best performances for when his contract was up for renewal.

you'll get no argument from me about that.

No, that honour goes to Mick Crane. Possibly better than Knocker, but piffed it away.

In all fairness Craney was still some talent depsite his behaviour traits. How good he could have been we'll never know.

it was a very different time, as much as I agree in part, Mick wasn't being paid tens of thousands of pounds a year as a full time professional.



We've had some gems that have remained uncut and unpolished, that is for sure!

Mick was one of the best natural talents ive seen,could hold his own in any team and was probably half fit at best.Could make something from nothing and nothing from something,if you know him you will understand. A rugby league genius IMO.

To be honest players from that era weren't exactly God fearing teetotal fitness fanatics

I do wish people would stop lumping Craney in with the rest of the pi[iss[/iheads that were knocking around at the time. Anyone who knew Mick could tell you he'd get ratted on a sniff of a barmaid's apron.



Mick was just happy being Mick. Probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen and I knew him from age 13 at David Lister. People keep banging on about his dedication, fitness etc. But if he'd applied himself more he probably wouldn't have been anything like the same player.



There are many anecdotes about Craney but one of my favourites is when he turned up for pre-season training at Hesslewood Orphanage. The most gobsmacked person there was Arthur Bunting and when Mick came ambling across the car park, with a boot in each pocket, Bunting asked him what he was doing there. Mick said he thought it was time he saw what all this pre-season lark was about and maybe it was time he got a bit fitter. Bunt just told him to go back home and not be late for the first pre-season friendly

I never met the great man, and I barely remember seeing him play. Sounds like a great character.

My dad knows Craney quite well. He once said that Bunting was so fed up of his team getting d on a Saturday night, he'd ring them up and make sure they were home. He rang Craney's house, someone picked up and said he was Mick. Bunting asked, "Whats the password?" Man: "Erm...."

"Tell Mick I'm going to fine him".