Martin Cranie

Martin Cranie

Born Yeovil, Somerset. A centre back, Martin made his Football debut in the Premier League with Southampton in 2004 after signing a three year deal. He failed to hold down a first team place as the Saints slipped into the Championship (2nd tier). Chances to impress were few and loan spells at Bournemouth and Yeovil twice indicated his need for first team football. When his contract expired in 2007, Martin signed for Premier League Portsmouth. Again chances were limited and loan spells followed at QPR and Charlton Athletic.

Coventry City came calling with a £500,000 fee and Martin got the first team football hewanted, playing 42, 38 and 40 games in the next three seasons. On to Barnsley for a spell who had to release him after two seasons as relegation meant financial cutbacks. Huddersfield, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United all saw Martin’s qualities but injuries were catching up with him and game time was limited.

Martin signed for the Town in the Summer of 2019 and he scored in the first game of the season against Middlesbrough at Kenilworth Road. A quality experienced centre back, he fitted the bill and helped the Town stay in the Championship. It was always a battle to keep him fit which restricted him to 25 games in the two seasons with the Hatters. His last game was behind closed doors due to Covid, a 2 1 home defeat to Barnsley on the 5th April 2021. He was offered a new one year contract but declined and retired from the game.