Ian Cranson

Playing career Born in Easington, County Durham, Cranson began his career with Ipswich Town and made his professional debut away at Aston Villa in 1983–84. He soon became a regular at Portman Road under the management of Bobby Ferguson and was ever present in 1985–86 as Ipswich suffered relegation from the First Division. He played 39 games in 1986–87 and 35 in 1987–88 before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in March 1988. Cranson was a regular in Wednesday's side until manager Howard Wilkinson was replaced by Ron Atkinson and he lost his place in the side. In the summer of 1989 he joined former Ipswich Town teammate Mick Mills at Stoke City for a club record fee of £480,000. He was one of a number of expensive signings that summer as Stoke looked to mount a push for promotion.

Cranson is currently the head coach of the men's senior football team at Staffordshire University.

Career statistics

Honours

Club Stoke City Football League Trophy: 1991–92 Football League Second Division: 1992–93

Individual Stoke City Player of the Year: 1993–94