He is also a former semi-professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at amateur level for Dalton ARLFC , Barrow (1987-1995, 172 appearances, 20+ tries), and Carlisle, as a hooker and coached at representative level for Cumbria and BARLA Great Britain Lions, and back at the semi-professional level for Barrow (2005–07, 2014–present), and Whitehaven (?-2008).
Despite a lengthy career in rugby league, Crarey has never coached or played at the professional level. He won a Shooting Star award in 1988.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Crarey moved into coaching. He had coaching spells at amateur clubs Dalton and Walney Central before being appointed as head coach at semi-pro side Barrow Raiders in October 2005.
Crarey departed Barrow at the end of the 2007 season and became head coach at Whitehaven, but was forced to step down in March 2008 for health reasons.
He subsequently returned to coaching at amateur level for a few years before re-joining Barrow for a second spell at the semi-pro level in 2014.
References
↑Fletcher, Raymond (1994). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook, 1994-95. London: Headline. p.130. ISBN978-0-7472-7851-1.
