Craddock crowns huge turnaround

Jody Craddock completed a seven-year journey last night when he was crowned Wolves Player of the Year.

The evergreen defender is the first to admit he did not start out as the club's most popular player as he struggled like the rest of his team-mates in Wolves' first Premier League season back in 2003-04.

But, after pipping Kevin Doyle for the 20,000-strong season ticket holders' vote at the glitzy end of season awards ceremony at the Telford International Centre, the 34-year-old father-of-three has become just that after winning a standing ovation from the 810 guests.

"I haven't always perhaps been the most appreciated player here - we all know that from the song they sing, so we know what they thought of me back then!" said Craddock.

"But I like to think that was shortlived because it was only for one season. I feel I've turned people's opinions around. I know everyone says I've picked up recently and I have. But I've always done the same things day-in, day-out and I've never changed anything.

"I've been here seven years now so I must have been in with a shout one year and this is it!

"I managed to win it when I was at Cambridge and at Sunderland so it's lovely to have achieved it at Wolves as well. I feel I've had a good career over seven years at Wolverhampton Wanderers." Typically modest, the quietly-spoken defender was keen to deflect the praise onto others.

"The award should also be reflected on my team-mates because I wouldn't have won it without their help," he said.

"Surviving our first season back in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement for everyone."

And Craddock was also unstinting in his support for Doyle, who collected the awards for Players' Player of the Year award and top scorer for his eight Premier League strikes.

"Kevin has done fantastically well this season and it was fitting that he won the Players' Player of the Year award," he said.

"I voted for him. We get to vote for three and I went for him, Christophe Berra and Matt Jarvis."

The phrase complete centre forward is generous for anyone, but Craddock believes it could apply to Doyle.

"He's got a bit of everything about him and credit to him, that's why he got the Players' Player of the Year award because all the lads appreciate what he's done for us this season," he said.

Like fine wine, Craddock admitted he has got better with age.

"I've put a lot of hard work in this season but I've had to because I'm older and it gets harder," he said.

"But the reason I've continued to earn the contracts each year is because I've continued to improve myself. It's experience. I feel I can read the game a lot better.

"Before the start of the season everyone was doubting my pace, but I don't feel as if I have been caught out."

So what's the secret to his lasting youth?

"Credit to the masseurs because they do a great job to keep me going," he added. "I go in the gym, I look after myself and I do a few extra stretches than when I was 20 or 21.

"I also have a few extra aches and pains which need sorting out. But I've been pleased with this season because I've played 32 league games plus another three in the cups so I've been delighted with that.

"From picking up a slight hamstring injury where I missed three games in a week, I haven't missed one. So, by any stretch of the imagination, playing the whole season is a big thing for me."

While Doyle scooped two gongs in the ceremony, also attended by vice-presidents Steve Bull and rock star Robert Plant, Nenad Milijas pipped fellow left-footed playmaker David Jones by one vote for the Goal of the Season award for his thunderous strike against Bolton. The 3-1 win at West Ham was voted Champagne Moment of the Season.

The Young Professional of the Year award went to centre-back Danny Batth and youth team captain and midfielder Nathan Rooney was voted Academy Player of the Season.

After the presentation the gala night ended with a powerful performance by Wolverhampton-born singer Beverley Knight.

* Wombourne leisure centre lifeguard Shaun Porter was chosen as the Express & Star's Wolves Fan of the Year for his extraordinary sibling rivalry.

The Tipton-born 25-year-old comes from a family of Albion supporters - including identical twin Richard. But when he started school he found his classmates supported Wolves - so joined the gold and black persuasion.

And he has trained their dog Chewy to join him, revealing: "Chewy wees on his Albion rug - I don't think Rich is too happy about it but he deserves it! Albion have had the rub of the green over us for the last 10 years so I want them to suffer!

"Wolves are my life and without them I wouldn't have a life."