| Bth | 31/10/48 | Flinthill | Co. Durham |
| Ht/Wt | Right-Back | 5ft 8in | 11st 8lb |
| Jnd | 04/64 | Junior | |
| Pro. | 12/65 | ||
| Deb | 01/10/66 | Everton (A) | D1 |
| Dep | 27/08/71 | Middlesbrough | £60,000 |
| Jnd | 08/82 | Middlesbrough | Free |
| Dep | 08/83 | Darlington | Free |
| A/G | 68 (5) | 1 |
Right-Back John Craggs was an England Youth international and perennial understudy to David Craig. A consistent and classy performer, he never let the side down on the occasions he was called upon.
He made his debut at the age of seventeen in the match at Goodison Park in October 1966 and made a couple of appearances at outside-right in the same season.
He was a polished, cultured and constructive full-back. Very cool, he played with an almost arrogant confidence. Although short he was also stocky, a crisp tackler and a beautiful hitter of the ball.
His run in the side during the 1968/69 season, in which the loss of Craig did not detrimentally affect United’s defence, proved that Craggs was a First Division quality footballer.
In the following campaign Craig was injured in the first game and Craggs got another decent run and for the first time he believed that he had done well enough to keep his place even though he rated David Craig as the best right-back in Britain.
Craig was recalled and by the end of the 1970/71 season he had decided he needed to move on saying: "I have made up my mind, I can't stay in the reserves any longer. I've already had five years of it and it won't do my career any good prolonging it".
He eventually joined Middlesbrough at the end of August for £60,000 admitting that “with David Craig as competition it was obvious one of us had to go”. Harvey said: "I’m always sorry to lose a talented player, but we couldn’t stand in John’s way any longer”.
Craggs would stay on Teesside for 11 years amassing ober 400 appearances. He then made a shock return to Tyneside at the age of 33 in the summer before the 1982/83 season.
John turned professional in December and played for England Youth. He was included as a reserve for a couple of first team matches and was one of three players sent off in a Reserves match against Everton.
Played in the pre-season friendly against Carlisle and, with Craig out with a back injury, John made his full debut in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in October. He got a number of outings that season as Craig's deputy and even played outside right on a couple of occasions; scoring in the Boxing Day defeat at home to Leeds. Played for FA Youth again.
Failing to get into the side Craggs was considering leaving in November, but five months later he had changed his mind, partly because he was due to get married to a Newcastle girl in September.
Was becoming more and more frustrated by his failure to break into the first team and at the start of the New Year slapped in a transfer request and held showdown talks with manager Harvey. Full-backs Craig and Guthrie were both out injured at the time and Craggs said: "it I don't get in now I may as well pack my boots and leave." Craig's injury meant he got an extended run in the side from the end of January until mid-May for which he received rave reviews for his mature performances. He initially retained his place even after the Irishman had recovered, however Craig was preferred for the second leg of the Fairs Cup Semi-Final and both legs of the Final.
Craig's injury in the first game gave him the opportunity for an extended run in the side. He was in excellent form and believed for the first time that he was playing well enough to retain his place even when Craig was fit. However Craig was recalled and many doubted whether he would settle for reserve team football for much longer.
Stepped in at right-back when Craig was ruled out in March, playing in the last 11 games of the season. And Harvey kept him in the side when Craig was fit again saying he was playing too well to leave out. But he rated the Irishman as the best right-back in Britain and admitted that he had always known that he would have to move on to get regular football. "Now I've got to do something about it" he said at the end of the season. Blackpool showed an interest and Harvey was willing to use him as part of a part-exchange deal for Tony Green but the move broke down.
Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackpool all declared an interest and Craggs had a heart-to-heart meeting with Harvey in June. Moved to Middlesbrough at the end of August.
Made a surprise return (aged 33).
Painting by Piotr