*** QUESTION TIME ***
Which clubs did you play for? and what club has the fondest memories for you and why?
CRAIG - I started my career at Coventry City, who at the time were in the Premier League. I earned my first professional contract there and went on to spend 3 years as a pro, trying to get into a 'top heavy' first team squad with the likes of Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby and Noel Wheelan, which was very tough. I moved up to Scotland on loan when I was 19 to Dunfermline Athletic which is where I made my very first senior appearance against Rangers, which was very memorable as I shared the pitch with Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup, absolute legends of players!
My most memorable occasions up there was both playing at Park Head in-front of 60,000 people and playing Celtic at home where I scored my first ever professional goal, ultimately stopping them winning the league that year (if only for one week).
My most memorable period of time was just after I had been on loan at Hull City FC, where I joined Wrexham FC. I spent 3 years at Wrexham and loved every minute of it. The lads were amazing, the team was young and hungry, and I had just about found my feet from the transfer from youth football into mens football. We had such chemistry in the team, especially the really young ones, we did everything together, which helped with settling and forming strong relationships on and off the field. I remember some unbelievable games throughout that period, with a couple standing out as my favourite. We played Luton Town away and found ourselves 3-0 down at half time, I remember the gaffa didn't say much at half time and just left it to us to figure out, it was a horrible winters afternoon, raining etc.. and we just all thought 'lets have it' and we rolled out 4-3 winners at the end... I also remember scoring an own goal as one of the 3 so it was even better at the end..
Another memorable game in that period was playing against Manchester United at home. They brought all their players (Giggs, Butt, Neville, Stam Bosnich etc..) and I remember scoring from about 20 yards, lobbing the goal keeper. That was nice.
This period was amazing, I have such fond memories of this.
The last league club I played for, and ultimately ended at, due to injury, was Wycombe Wanderers FC. I had such a torrid time there as I spent most of it sidelined through injury. Still, a great bunch of lads and some excellent footballers who went on to have fantastic careers in the premier league, the likes of Roger Johnson and Mike Williamson who played for the likes of Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Newcastle United.

What clubs have you had experience of managing so far?
CRAIG - The late and great Danny Martone gave me my very first managerial appointment at Aylesbury FC (Southern League 1) which I felt went just as well as it did badly.. I had no experience of managing at this point, but knew this was my very next step so we had a chat and he appointed me.. WOW what an eye opener. That period certainly taught me some very good, but harsh lessons about players, budgets, organisation and most importantly, expectations! I also formed and started to build an academy for 16-19 year olds at the club as I knew the funds to pay players did not come out of thin air, so I tried to help with this. The 2 was too much so I stepped down as manger to concentrate on the academy.
This academy I now run at Thame. I now manage Thame Rangers FC, the second team within the partnership and one I can use for both bringing players through and to provide a platform for higher level football as well.

What are the differences between playing football and management?
CRAIG - Responsibility. As a player, you are responsible for you, as you are part of a team, but playing for a team requires you to look after you, managing is a totally different kettle of fish.. I have had no break this close season, and if you ask any manager they will say this period is the most hectic. Talking to players, organising training, matches, preseason, explaining reasoning behind choices, phoning/texting/dm'ing/facebook/twitter/Instagram its crazy!! As a player you get to switch off, you know, as long as you have impressed you are good for the next season, and if you are really good, you can be totally relaxed and look forward, even if you are a squad player you can switch off, that's what I miss. But I must say, there is nothing more satisfying as a manger than seeing your way/philosophy coming out in your team, that for me is the biggest buzz!!

What have you had to do in preparation as manager for the 2019/20 season?
CRAIG - Assess last season, manage emotions for the players for narrowly missing out, this has been tough, as the players are bitterly disappointed we didn't go up, we didn't even know for sure until some weeks after which was even harder. We (Dave and I) have planned preseason to the most intimate detail. it is harder and more intense. I chose to do 3 days a week, back to back to break the time off up, which has been great (so far) we have had to plan preseason games, recruit players as some have gone off to university, and also anticipate players maybe who need a bit more time when coming back. its been hard so far but very enjoyable!

What were the highlights from last season?
CRAIG - Quite a few to be honest, our cup runs were good, we out performed our own expectations last season, the players we have are very special, they deserve a lot of credit for taking on some very detailed information (at times) which has made us very resilient and hard to beat, halving our goals conceded from 2017/18 to 2018/19
If we had had a bit more luck just after Christmas we would have won the league outright, but having 5 straight draws in this period certainly didn't help.

What pre season fixture are you most looking forward to and why?
CRAIG - Marlow at Home. This fixture for a number of reasons really. The level they play at, its relatively local to us and it is of course on our hallowed ground, which by the way is looking amazing due to our groundsman Geordie.

What are your personal goals for this season as manager? And what are the teams goals/objectives?
CRAIG - My personal goals.. I am quite a reflective person and I realise that throughout the season I did get emotionally involved in some games where the result didn't quite go our way (only twice to be fair) but speaking with Dave the following day or on the Monday we saw the fact we had potentially passed this stress to the players which could have had a negative impact. My goals are quite simple for the team, to be successful and get promoted.

You have recently been sponsored by Thame Rangers FC for 2019/20 what are your thoughts about this?
CRAIG - Very honoured and flattered. I will try to be very professional and show I warrant the sponsorship.

Any final comments for the fans and followers?
CRAIG - Watch this space. Thame Rangers are a team that try to play football the way I was brought up, we will try right until the last kick of every game. I am extremely humbled by the support we get each week and would like to thank each and every one of you that turn up to support this very energetic, exciting and innovative team. Thank you.