All seasons denoted on this site are based on the Irish season, which is 1 season behind FS.
Season 7
Craggy Island AFC was founded by Samuel Entwistle before the start of season 7, the teams first match was played and won with a handful of loaned in players, within 2 weeks of starting the club had a complete squad and was ready to compete, at this stage club legend Samuel Entwistle decided to hang up his boots and take up the role as club chairman, his second cousin Thomas DAlessandro took his place in the squad and as manager.
Star players such as Xuan Fresneda, Tore Uttermar, Liam Barigou, Paulo Rocha and Barnabás Danyi were unearthed by the club. Unsurprisingly they promoted after their first season in Irelands second division extremely comfortably, strolling through all 14 games, and forcing Munster to labour a 1-0 victory in the cup. A strong youth ethos was also developed within the club, with Thomas DAlessandros eyes firmly on the future.
Star players such as Xuan Fresneda, Tore Uttermar, Liam Barigou, Paulo Rocha and Barnabás Danyi were unearthed by the club. Unsurprisingly they promoted after their first season in Irelands second division extremely comfortably, strolling through all 14 games, and forcing Munster to labour a 1-0 victory in the cup. A strong youth ethos was also developed within the club, with Thomas DAlessandros eyes firmly on the future.
Season 8
Craggy Island made 2 big signings in lieu of season 8, Swedish box to box midfielder Håkan Ahlborn and Irish international hard man Cormac Troutt (who's wages were rumoured to be part funded by Dermot Desmond). The club demonstarted it's total football philosophy at the start of the season but couldn't chalk up many points, the club got involved in a relegation scrap with Iron Man and Dynamo Dublin and eventually edged both sides out, finishing 6th.
In the midst of the season the club was struggling with it's finances and ended up having to sell two key players Italian centre-back Gioele Vucic and Hungarian striker Barnabás Danyi for a combined fee of almost €250k.
In the midst of the season the club was struggling with it's finances and ended up having to sell two key players Italian centre-back Gioele Vucic and Hungarian striker Barnabás Danyi for a combined fee of almost €250k.
Season 9
With Cormac Troutt having left the club to join Kinsale AFC, and Tore Uttermar having returned home to Sweden, Thomas DAlessandro brought in Jelle de Leede and Gregory Novell before the season, and as the season went on the squad was supplemented with the likes of Ke AnSheng, Victor Pelckmans, Alin Andrei Zgriba, Jan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz and Dominik Berg. The team took a while to gel together and eventually came up with some decent results after a poor start to the season, reaching the cup semi final. But again the club disappointingly finished 6th. Thomas DAlessandro stepped down as the clubs manager, and let Brian Macrae take over, citing personal reasons, signing Finnish star Ubaldino Lammassaari was his final act as manager. This season also marked the departure of Håkan Ahlborn, who was a key member of the club, and is fondly remembered among it's fans.
Season 10
Brian had to re-unify the club and stave off relegation, this wasn't helped as eccentric Romanian keeper Alin Andrei Zgriba threw a hissy fit and was forced out of the club, replaced by the more placid and reliable Valentinos Mpouras, who was signed for €250k. Canadian Wayne Carey was also brought in to solve the clubs problems on the left flank, however he proved a flop as he failed to to settle in Ireland. The season again started poorly for the club, but eventually they were in a position to qualify for Europe with 10 days left, however that was not to be as the club again finished 6th, but the clubs progress was continued as they slowly edged closer to the more established sides. Brian secured the contracts of many key players towards the end of the season, bringing hope for a successful campaign to come, sadly club legend Dominik Berg retired from the game after deciding to dedicate more time to being a father, he is regarded as the greatest talent to have donned the red and black of Craggy Island by some.
Season 11
Flying Dutch winger Harmen Masefield and Uruguayan striker Iván Cavani were signed to supplement a strong squad, 5 weeks through the season a new club record of €350,000 was spent on Romanian born Cypriot international defender Teodoro Fantana, who was joined by promising Hong Kong international defender Ma Wenlong, who was snapped up for free. The club broke the 3 season tradition of having a poor start, by beating Wanderers, Kinsale and Rugged Island in it's first 4 games, the win against Wanderers in week 3 earnt the club The Kieran McMupp Trophy for the first time in the clubs history. As the season progressed the solid results continued, including another victory over over Kinsale and 2 vital draws against Wanderers, this proved enough to propel the club to third place which meant Craggy Island had qualified for the Continental League.
Brian Macrae also led the team as far as the cup semi final, but this again ended in a heartbreaking loss, this time at the hands of Kinsale. The clubs progress was noted though, and with European football guaranteed for next season the club invested a lot of effort in the transfer market.
Brian Macrae also led the team as far as the cup semi final, but this again ended in a heartbreaking loss, this time at the hands of Kinsale. The clubs progress was noted though, and with European football guaranteed for next season the club invested a lot of effort in the transfer market.
Season 12
Prior to the start of the season Tine Rupel joined from Rugged Island for what was a club record transfer of 400k, the shock transfer of the season was made when the free-scoring Conor Scott left Munster to join Craggy Island for free during the pre-season, this move sparked an excitement about the club and he was soon followed by Trifon Ivanov, Demis Anthimidis, Danijel Skocibusic and Nils Lafskar. These strong signings resulted in talk of Craggy Island challenging for the league title, and this proved the case, despite a loss against Leinster in the first game of the season by the half way point Craggy Island led the table, an impressive 4-1 victory against Munster stating the clubs ambition. Unfortunately the club again lost to Leinster, and a draw against Munster wasn't enough as Craggy Island finished second, 2points off the pace set by Munster.
The clubs success stretched to the Continental League where the breezed through the first round, winning all 5 games. This form continued in the second round as Craggy Island won 13 points of the available 15, but agonisingly missed out on a place in the last 8 on goal difference to Romanian side Diablo.
The best was saved for last however, as Craggy Island lifted the Irish Cup, their first major trophy since the formation of the club. The route to the triumph was not easy as Leinster(thanks to heroics from Demis Anthimidis), Munster and dRUNKEN Rockers had to be dealt with before a finale against Kinsale. This proved a high scoring affair which Craggy Island ran out 3-2 winners in, not only was this the clubs first major trophy but it earnt them a place in Season 13's Cup Winners League.
Season 12 was spectacular for one man in particular as Conor Scott managed to score 94 goals and winning 20 man of the match awards in 28 games, this also had him named as the world no.1 player. Sadly Season 12 also was the end of the legendary Fintalian, Ubaldino Lammassaari's career as he decided to retire a champion, he scored 59 goals for Craggy Island.
The clubs success stretched to the Continental League where the breezed through the first round, winning all 5 games. This form continued in the second round as Craggy Island won 13 points of the available 15, but agonisingly missed out on a place in the last 8 on goal difference to Romanian side Diablo.
The best was saved for last however, as Craggy Island lifted the Irish Cup, their first major trophy since the formation of the club. The route to the triumph was not easy as Leinster(thanks to heroics from Demis Anthimidis), Munster and dRUNKEN Rockers had to be dealt with before a finale against Kinsale. This proved a high scoring affair which Craggy Island ran out 3-2 winners in, not only was this the clubs first major trophy but it earnt them a place in Season 13's Cup Winners League.
Season 12 was spectacular for one man in particular as Conor Scott managed to score 94 goals and winning 20 man of the match awards in 28 games, this also had him named as the world no.1 player. Sadly Season 12 also was the end of the legendary Fintalian, Ubaldino Lammassaari's career as he decided to retire a champion, he scored 59 goals for Craggy Island.
Season 13
The club again repeated it's trick in the transfer market this time signing Irish internationals Rory Sanders, Ciaran Champaneri and Thomas Stewart, as well as world cup finalist Maarten Rosseel. The league started in bizarre fashion with a 5-4 victory over Kinsale, the wins just kept on coming and Brian Macrae recorded his first victory over Luke Andrews Leinster, with an impressive 4-1 win, and the machine kept running as Craggy Island overcame Munster 3-1, by the half way stage Craggy Island led the table by 6pts with a maximum 21pts.
This lead proved vital as the club dropped points in the latter stages of the season against Munster and Leinster, but it was still enough to lift the LOEI title for the first time, which qualified the club for the Champions League.
Craggy Islands season of dominance continues as they steamrolled their way through the cup, beating Kinsale 4-1 in the final, scoring 24 goals en-route the only goal conceded was in the final.
In Europe it was another case of what could have been, losing just 1 game in the group stage of the Cup Winners Cup they missed out on making the quarter finals on goal difference for a second season.
This lead proved vital as the club dropped points in the latter stages of the season against Munster and Leinster, but it was still enough to lift the LOEI title for the first time, which qualified the club for the Champions League.
Craggy Islands season of dominance continues as they steamrolled their way through the cup, beating Kinsale 4-1 in the final, scoring 24 goals en-route the only goal conceded was in the final.
In Europe it was another case of what could have been, losing just 1 game in the group stage of the Cup Winners Cup they missed out on making the quarter finals on goal difference for a second season.
Season 14
By now Craggy Island were now the biggest side in Ireland. The notable addition to the squad was Croat Tomica Trampus. The season began with a few comfortable wins, and an exciting 5-5 draw against title rivals Munster. Craggy Island went 4-1 down with 20 minutes left, but somehow managed to tie the game with super sub Amadeusz Akerman scoring an 86th minute equaliser. Craggy Island went on unbeaten winning 12 and drawing 2 of the 14 games that season.
The club again won the double and completed a hattrick of Cup titles, this time beating Munster in the final, after beating Kinsale in a penalty shoot-out in the semis.
However the clubs supremacy did not extend to the Champions League, where they achieved some good results but were never serious contenders to make the quarter finals.
The club again won the double and completed a hattrick of Cup titles, this time beating Munster in the final, after beating Kinsale in a penalty shoot-out in the semis.
However the clubs supremacy did not extend to the Champions League, where they achieved some good results but were never serious contenders to make the quarter finals.
Season 15
Despite the success of the previous season the club lost fans favourite Demis Anthimidis, who was named the leagues keeper of the season on two occasions and were also left short of experienced defenders. the clubs youth system was finally seeing it's products regularly playing football, the likes of DAlessandro, Rapid, Macrae and Irving had become regulars in the teams first XI.
This added level of inexperience and the improvement of the likes of Kinsale and Wanderers and a change to the ME meant that there was a view that the title race would be open to 4 teams that season, and this proved the case as Craggy Island lost 2 of the first 5 games to Musnter and Wanderers. However after winning the next 4 games (which included a 4-0 win against Munster) Craggy Island lead Wanderers on goal difference and Munster by 2 points.
A loss in the twelfth round to eventual victors Wanderers cost the club the title, and whilst it looked like Wanderers were slipping up in the final round against CSKA, with 15 minutes left they scored the vital winning goal and edged in front again, leaving Craggy Island in second position.
The cup didn't bring the club any joy either as they were knocked out by eventual winners Leinster in the quarter final stage.
The Champions League followed a similiar pattern to the previous season, as the club looked destined for 3rd spot in the group of 6, experiencing mixed form while they used the competition as a platform to break some of their younger players into the first team.
This trophy-less season left questions marks over a once dominant and now aging squad. Demis Anthimidis had not been replaced as Pedro Luz proved inconsistent, super-sub Amadeusz Akerman left for Poland and the perceived over reliance on a tiring Conor Scott meant that Brian Macrae was left with plenty of work to do.
This added level of inexperience and the improvement of the likes of Kinsale and Wanderers and a change to the ME meant that there was a view that the title race would be open to 4 teams that season, and this proved the case as Craggy Island lost 2 of the first 5 games to Musnter and Wanderers. However after winning the next 4 games (which included a 4-0 win against Munster) Craggy Island lead Wanderers on goal difference and Munster by 2 points.
A loss in the twelfth round to eventual victors Wanderers cost the club the title, and whilst it looked like Wanderers were slipping up in the final round against CSKA, with 15 minutes left they scored the vital winning goal and edged in front again, leaving Craggy Island in second position.
The cup didn't bring the club any joy either as they were knocked out by eventual winners Leinster in the quarter final stage.
The Champions League followed a similiar pattern to the previous season, as the club looked destined for 3rd spot in the group of 6, experiencing mixed form while they used the competition as a platform to break some of their younger players into the first team.
This trophy-less season left questions marks over a once dominant and now aging squad. Demis Anthimidis had not been replaced as Pedro Luz proved inconsistent, super-sub Amadeusz Akerman left for Poland and the perceived over reliance on a tiring Conor Scott meant that Brian Macrae was left with plenty of work to do.
Season 16
Brian Macrae splashed the cash in the search for suitable new talent. Scottish striker Robert Suffield signed for €2M, an Irish record, Italian defender Giuliano Pascutti was signed for €700k, Conor Honkoop signed as the clubs once great rivals Munster were looking to be in trouble, and Israeli keeper Eduard Zardev was entrusted with no.1 jersey.
The first half of the season saw the club involved in a battle with Leinster and Wanderers for supremacy, losing in round 4 to Leinster. It appeared disaster had struck as mercurial leader Brian Macrae went AWOL. However Conor Scott, Robert Suffield and Thomas DAlessandro kept the Craggy Island machine running, and eventually Robert Suffield took control of the club. Despite this they went the rest of the season unbeaten, winning 35 points and comfortably winning back the title. The new strike partnership of Robert Suffield and Thomas DAlessandro succeeding in replacing Conor Scott, who was making effective impact sub appearances.
Determined to make a point the club knocked out Wanderers and Kinsale in the cup, before beating Leinster 6-1 in the final. Securing the clubs third double and ensuring that any question of a decline was misplaced.
Europe brought more joy this season as they eased through the first stage of the Continental League and challenged to make to quarter finals, but again just fell short.
The first half of the season saw the club involved in a battle with Leinster and Wanderers for supremacy, losing in round 4 to Leinster. It appeared disaster had struck as mercurial leader Brian Macrae went AWOL. However Conor Scott, Robert Suffield and Thomas DAlessandro kept the Craggy Island machine running, and eventually Robert Suffield took control of the club. Despite this they went the rest of the season unbeaten, winning 35 points and comfortably winning back the title. The new strike partnership of Robert Suffield and Thomas DAlessandro succeeding in replacing Conor Scott, who was making effective impact sub appearances.
Determined to make a point the club knocked out Wanderers and Kinsale in the cup, before beating Leinster 6-1 in the final. Securing the clubs third double and ensuring that any question of a decline was misplaced.
Europe brought more joy this season as they eased through the first stage of the Continental League and challenged to make to quarter finals, but again just fell short.
Season 17
Season 17 marked the exit of club legends Conor Scott, Thomas Stewart, Gregory Novell, Harmen Masefield, Rory Sanders and notably Brian Macrae. The team very much in transition phase has called on a number of it's own academy products to try and step up to the plate. Scottish international defender Cris Snape the notable addition to the squad.
After losing to Leinster and struggling to a few victories and a draw against Munster at the start the season Craggy Island did not appear the clear favourites as they had in previous seasons, however a spectacular run of 8 wins to end the season meant the title went their way with some breathing space and the likes of Mulrain, Trickey, Barrett and Rapid showed they had come through the Islands academy with everything needed to succeed.
Despite failing to win the cup Craggy Island performed well, having seen off CSKA, Kinsale and Munster only to lose to rivals Wanderers on penalties in a game they were left ruing numerous missed chances.
The Champions League brought the challenge of Pinguinni, arguably the strongest team in the world at the time, Craggy Island exited this group in second place with 23 points losing only once to Pinguinni who went on to reach the final for the 3rd time in a row. This was Craggy Islands best performance in Europe to date and a draw against Pinguinni also indicated the team wasn't far from the best teams in Europe.
After losing to Leinster and struggling to a few victories and a draw against Munster at the start the season Craggy Island did not appear the clear favourites as they had in previous seasons, however a spectacular run of 8 wins to end the season meant the title went their way with some breathing space and the likes of Mulrain, Trickey, Barrett and Rapid showed they had come through the Islands academy with everything needed to succeed.
Despite failing to win the cup Craggy Island performed well, having seen off CSKA, Kinsale and Munster only to lose to rivals Wanderers on penalties in a game they were left ruing numerous missed chances.
The Champions League brought the challenge of Pinguinni, arguably the strongest team in the world at the time, Craggy Island exited this group in second place with 23 points losing only once to Pinguinni who went on to reach the final for the 3rd time in a row. This was Craggy Islands best performance in Europe to date and a draw against Pinguinni also indicated the team wasn't far from the best teams in Europe.
Season 18
Fridolin Schonwerth and Jack Spurgeon were the main signings for this season, with Gordon Ramsey and Anthony Trump, often viewed as Irelands greatest midfielder, joining in the middle of the season. Exits included Ma Wenlong (who spent 7 seasons in the clubs defence) and Nigel Muller but most notably Brandon Trickey to main rivals Wanderers, he was considered a great prospect by the club and destination came as a great surprise.
Like so many other seasons things didn't start all that well for the club and there were murmurings that this was the eventual fall of the club as the team suffered defeat to Wanderers and drew with Munster in the first 3 games. However a run of 6 wins, including victories over Wanderers, Kinsale, Shammy and Leinster restored the club to top spot 4 points adrift of second placed newcomers Shammy T.F.C with 5 games remaining. A loss to Munster ensured a nervous end to the season, but wins in the last 4 games ensured another league triumph, with the title won before the final showdown day against Shammy.
Having made the quarter-finals in the Irish cup by beating Hells Heroes, Craggy Island were then knocked out convincingly by a resurgent Munster, the title was won by Shammy- capping off a fine season and highlighting the fact there was a new force to be reckoned with in the league, sadly at the expense of the one time rivals of Craggy Island, Leinster.
In Europe the club entered a tough group including the Danish and Greek champions, with 2 wins over Bosteros the club was just 1 point off leaders Fremad Bagud with 3 games remaining, a great opportunity to finally become the first Irish club to reach the last 8. However those dreams faded after successive points dropped against FFB of Slovaquia and Fremad Bagud, but second position was a respectable finish in a tough group.
Like so many other seasons things didn't start all that well for the club and there were murmurings that this was the eventual fall of the club as the team suffered defeat to Wanderers and drew with Munster in the first 3 games. However a run of 6 wins, including victories over Wanderers, Kinsale, Shammy and Leinster restored the club to top spot 4 points adrift of second placed newcomers Shammy T.F.C with 5 games remaining. A loss to Munster ensured a nervous end to the season, but wins in the last 4 games ensured another league triumph, with the title won before the final showdown day against Shammy.
Having made the quarter-finals in the Irish cup by beating Hells Heroes, Craggy Island were then knocked out convincingly by a resurgent Munster, the title was won by Shammy- capping off a fine season and highlighting the fact there was a new force to be reckoned with in the league, sadly at the expense of the one time rivals of Craggy Island, Leinster.
In Europe the club entered a tough group including the Danish and Greek champions, with 2 wins over Bosteros the club was just 1 point off leaders Fremad Bagud with 3 games remaining, a great opportunity to finally become the first Irish club to reach the last 8. However those dreams faded after successive points dropped against FFB of Slovaquia and Fremad Bagud, but second position was a respectable finish in a tough group.
Season 19
There was some activity in the transfer market, Ciaran Champaneri and Danijel Skocibusic left the club on good terms having enjoyed great careers at the club, M. Fucka was signed to replace Champ and defender Killian Solomon a member of Craggy Islands Golden Generation returned to the club. Rumours also suggest Jack Spurgeon, who heroically single-handedly won the season defining game against Wanderers in the previous season, will be on his way out of the club with a bid in the region of €2M accepted.