David McCracken

David McCracken (born 16 October 1981) is a Scottish football player and coach, whose last role was as co-manager of Falkirk between 2019 and 2021. McCracken, who played as a central defender, was a Scotland under-21 internationalist, having made five appearances at that level between 2001 and 2003. McCracken started his career with Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League and was a first team player there for seven years before leaving in May 2007. He subsequently played in England for Football League clubs Wycombe Wanderers, Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford before returning to Scotland with St Johnstone in 2011. He joined Falkirk in August 2013, playing with the club for four seasons, before finishing his playing career with Peterhead.

David McCracken
Personal information
Full name David McCracken[1]
Date of birth (1981-10-16) 16 October 1981
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1998–2000 Dundee United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2007 Dundee United 179 (8)
2007–2009 Wycombe Wanderers 76 (2)
2009–2010 Milton Keynes Dons 41 (1)
2010–2011 Brentford 2 (0)
2011 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 10 (0)
2011–2013 St Johnstone 44 (1)
2013–2017 Falkirk 94 (8)
2017–2018 Peterhead 4 (1)
International career‡
2001–2003 Scotland U21 5 (0)
Managerial career
2019-2021 Falkirk (co-manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:05, 20 October 2017 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 December 2007

Career

Dundee United

McCracken made his competitive senior debut in a Scottish Premier League (SPL) match against Celtic on 2 May 2000. In the 2000–01 season, he made nine appearances, mostly at full back, and scored his first goal in the opening day defeat to Celtic at Tannadice. McCracken made his debut for Scotland under-21s in a 1–0 win over Latvia. He played 22 times for the first team during season 2001–02.

The 2002–03 season saw McCracken make 30 appearances and in 2003–04 he was part of the first team for all but seven games, to bring his total appearances to 99, during which he scored three times. He was then part of the side that finished fifth in the league to give Dundee United their best finish since 1996–97.

McCracken had missed only two matches during the 2004–05 season, helping the side reach the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, when he was injured during a Scottish Cup tie against Queen of the South. He only managed another two games before the end of the season, but was awarded a new two-year contract in July 2005.[2] McCracken missed just five matches in the whole of the 2005–06 season, taking his total of appearances for Dundee United to 165, as the club finished in ninth place in the SPL for a second consecutive season.

McCracken was told he was free to leave the club at the end of the 2006–07 season,[3] making his final appearance in a last day 0–0 draw at home to Motherwell.

Wycombe Wanderers

On 13 June 2007, David McCracken joined Wycombe Wanderers on a two-year deal, playing his first English club.[4] After the move, McCracken says joining Wycombe was good opportunities to work under manager compatriot Paul Lambert[5]

He was then announced as captain on 9 August 2007,[6] and made his début two days later in the 1–0 loss at home to Accrington Stanley. In November, McCracken soon suffered an injury after tore his calf injury, that will left him on the sidelines for two weeks.[7] He made his return for the club, on 14 December 2007, in a 2–0 win over Morecambe[8] His first goal arrived in the 1–0 home win over Rotherham United on 16 February 2008, which was his only goal in his first season at Adams Park.[9] Having failed to reach the League One following the play-offs, McCracken was soon devastated following Lambert resignation and left the squad let down because of this.[10]

The next season was prove an impressive second season with the club culminated in Wycombe's promotion to Football League One, as well as McCracken being named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year for the 2008–09 season.[11] In January, McCracken improved contract with the club was stalled, leading been the subject of transfer speculation.[12] His second goal for the club came on the final day of the season, as part of a 1–2 home defeat to Notts County. After the season, McCracken was offered a new contract.[13] However, McCracken turned down another deal with the club, which left him a difficult decision to turned down a new deal with Wycombe.[14] Ahead of a match between MK Dons and Wycombe, on 22 September 2009, Manager Peter Taylor warned the club's supporter not to boo McCracken will only make the Scot more determined.[15]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 20 June 2009 it was announced that he had signed for the Chairboys' neighbours Milton Keynes Dons on a two-year deal.[16] On his first training with the club, McCracken says he never meet newly manager Roberto Di Matteo.[17] He made 41 appearances, scoring one goal. In his one year at stadium:mk (under Paul Ince), he made little impact and was sold on to Brentford.

Brentford

In July 2010, McCracken signed a two-year contract with another League One side Brentford.[18] Upon the move, McCracken says joining the club left him playing catch-up in terms of pre-season training.[19] Like his time at Brentford, McCracken, once again, made a little impact.

After making only two starts for the club, McCracken moved to Bristol Rovers on 18 January 2011 on an initial one-month loan deal.[20] On the last day of the transfer window, McCracken loan spell at Bristol Rovers was extended, until the end of the season.[21] On 25 April 2011, McCracken then received a red card for a professional foul after elbowing Adam Smith in a 2–1 loss against AFC Bournemouth[22] which he missed the entire match for the rest of the season. At the end of the season, McCracken was released by the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[23]

St Johnstone

On 23 June 2011 McCracken signed a two-year contract with St Johnstone, a few days after being released by the club.[24] Teammate Peter Enckelman praised manager Derek McInnes for signing McCracken and Frazer Wright after losing Michael Duberry on a free transfer, where he returned to England.[25] Having been an unused substitute in the matches or not in the starting line-up at the start of the season, McCracken soon have his playing time increased throughout the season. On 17 March 2012, McCracken scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win over St Mirren.

In 2012–13 season, McCracken start his season, appearing in all of their two UEFA Europa League qualifiers against Turkish side Eskişehirspor. Soon after, McCracken soon suffered an illness from a virus.[26] In mid-November, he fractured his cheek bone during a 1–1 draw against Celtic after clashing with Victor Wanyama. Following a further diagnosis of the injury, it announced that he would miss up to six weeks and might require surgery.[27] After a making a return against Heart of Midlothian, He scored his first goal two days later, in the fourth of Scottish Cup, in a 3–0 win over Cowdenbeath.[28] Later in the season, McCracken soon regained his place in the first team. At the end of the 2012–13 season, McCracken left the club after having his contract withdraw, but believes the club would have a change of heart and the main reason of his contract offer withdraw was his recurring of injuries.[29]

Falkirk

Following his departure from St Johnstone, McCracken joined Falkirk on a one-year contract.[30][31] After a brief struggle with an injury at the beginning of the season, McCracken quickly established himself in the Falkirk side. Following a successful season, on 1 May 2014, he agreed a new one-year contract with The Bairns, running until 2015.[32] McCracken was released by Falkirk in May 2017.[33]

Peterhead

On 2 July 2017, McCracken signed for Peterhead.[34]

Coaching career

During his time with Peterhead, McCracken took on coaching responsibilities.[35]

He left Peterhead in November 2019 to take a coaching position at Falkirk, working with Lee Miller.[36] After a few games in interim charge of the team, McCracken and Miller were given control until the end of the 2019–20 season.[37] McCracken and Miller were sacked by Falkirk in April 2021.[38]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 14 October 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Dundee United 1999–2000[39] Scottish Premier League 200000—20
2000–01[40] 910000—91
2001–02[41] 1902030—240
2002–03[42] 2511040—301
2003–04[43] 3211010—341
2004–05[44] 2522040—312
2005–06[45] 34210101[lower-alpha 1]0372
2006–07[46] 3312010—361
Dundee Utd total 179890140102038
Wycombe Wanderers 2007–08[47] League Two 37110101[lower-alpha 2]0401
2008–09[48] 39120001[lower-alpha 2]0421
Wycombe total 762301020822
MK Dons 2009–10[49] League One 41120104[lower-alpha 2]0481
Brentford 2010–11[50] League One 2000001[lower-alpha 2]030
Bristol Rovers (loan) 2010–11[50] League One 100000000100
St Johnstone 2011–12[51] Scottish Premier League 2813010—321
2012–13[52] 16021202[lower-alpha 3]0221
St Johnstone total 441513020542
Falkirk 2013–14[53] Scottish Championship 25210003[lower-alpha 4]0292
2014–15[54] 32441203[lower-alpha 5]0415
2015–16[55] 21210004[lower-alpha 6]0262
2016–17[56] 16010001[lower-alpha 5]1181
Falkirk total 948712011111410
Peterhead 2017–18[57] Scottish League Two 4110312[lower-alpha 5]0102
Career total 4502127224123152425
  1. Appearance in the UEFA Cup
  2. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  3. Appearances in the Europa League
  4. Appearances in the Premiership play-offs
  5. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  6. One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and three in the Premiership play-offs

Managerial record
As of match played 20 April 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Falkirk (co-manager) 19 November 2019 21 April 2021 42 22 12 8 052.38
  • initially caretaker. Made permanent on 13 December 2019.
  • statistics includes the 3-0 forfeit win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish League Cup on Tuesday 6 October 2020.

Honours
Dundee United
Falkirk

Individual

References
  1. "David McCracken". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  2. "McCracken extends Tannadice stay". BBC Sport. 19 July 2005.
  3. "Dundee Utd tell McCracken to go". BBC Sport. 19 January 2007.
  4. "Blues sign Dundee United's McCracken". Bucks Free Press. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  5. "Why I swapped Celtic and Rangers for Wycombe". Bucks Free Press. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  6. "McCracken ready for armband". Bucks Free Press. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  7. "Blues skipper ruled out". Bucks Free Press. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  8. "Morecambe and Rise". Bucks Free Press. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  9. "Villain to hero for Blues skipper". Bucks Free Press. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  10. "Skipper fears players may want away from Adams Park". Bucks Free Press. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  11. "League Two Team of the Year". Sky Sports. 28 April 2009.
  12. "Blues skipper delays signing new deal". Bucks Free Press. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  13. "McCracken keeps Blues waiting". Bucks Free Press. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  14. "Skipper quits for Dons and say keeping Taylor is crucial". Bucks Free Press. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  15. "Booing McCracken could inspire him". Bucks Free Press. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. "Wycombe skipper to join MK Dons". BBC. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  17. "I never even met Di Matteo admits McCracken". Milton Keynes Citizen. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  18. "Brentford sign David McCracken and Michael Spillane". BBC Sport. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  19. "Brentford's McCracken plays pre-season catch-up". Bucks Free Press. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  20. "Bristol Rovers sign Brentford's David McCracken on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  21. "McCracken prolongs Pirates stay". Sky Sports. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  22. "Bournemouth 2–1 Bristol R". BBC Sport. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  23. "Saints snap up McCracken". Sky Sports. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  24. "DEFENSIVE OPTIONS INCREASED AS MCCRACKEN JOINS SAINTS". Perth St.Johnstone. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011.
  25. "St Johnstone No1 Peter Enckelman hoping to continue away day shutouts with clean sheet at Motherwell". Daily Record. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  26. "St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas: Illness among players is leaving me a worried man". Daily Record. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  27. "St Johnstone defender David McCracken has suffered a fractured a cheek bone". Sky Sports. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  28. "Cowdenbeath Cup tie with St Johnstone set to be played at fifth time of asking". Daily Record. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  29. "SPL: David McCracken unsure of St Johnstone future after contract offer withdrawn". Sky Sports. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  30. "Falkirk add McCracken". Scottish Professional Football League Official Website. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  31. "McCracken joins Bairns". Official Website of Falkirk. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  32. "TRIO PLEDGE FUTURES TO BAIRNS". Falkirk F.C. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  33. "End of season update". Falkirk FC. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  34. "McCracken moves to Peterhead". SPFL. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  35. Law, Callum (1 July 2019). "McCracken grateful to get Peterhead coaching chance". Aberdeen Evening Express. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  36. "LEE MILLER & DAVID McCRACKEN APPOINTED INTERIM COACHING TEAM". Falkirk FC. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  37. "Falkirk confirm Lee Miller & David McCracken until end of season". BBC Sport. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  38. "CLUB STATEMENT". falkirkfc.co.uk. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  39. "Games played by David McCracken in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  40. "Games played by David McCracken in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  41. "Games played by David McCracken in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  42. "Games played by David McCracken in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  43. "Games played by David McCracken in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  44. "Games played by David McCracken in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  45. "Games played by David McCracken in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  46. "Games played by David McCracken in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  47. "Games played by David McCracken in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  48. "Games played by David McCracken in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  49. "Games played by David McCracken in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  50. "Games played by David McCracken in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  51. "Games played by David McCracken in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  52. "Games played by David McCracken in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  53. "Games played by David McCracken in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  54. "Games played by David McCracken in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  55. "Games played by David McCracken in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  56. "Games played by David McCracken in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  57. "Games played by David McCracken in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  58. "Giggs earns prestigious PFA award". BBC Sport. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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