Jon McCracken explained

Jon McCracken
Fullname:Jon Douglas McCracken[1]
Birth Date:24 May 2000[2]
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Height:190cm
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Dundee
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:–2016
Youthclubs1:Hamilton Academical
Youthyears2:2016–2021
Youthclubs2:Norwich City
Years1:2021–2024
Clubs1:Norwich City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Bohemian (loan)
Caps2:5
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Stevenage (loan)
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Dundee (loan)
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2023
Clubs5:Accrington Stanley (loan)
Caps5:11
Goals5:0
Years6:2024
Clubs6:Dundee (loan)
Caps6:11
Goals6:0
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Dundee
Caps7:2
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2017
Nationalteam1:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:19:35, 10 August 2024 (UTC)

Jon Douglas McCracken (born 24 May 2000) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Dundee. He came through the academy of Hamilton Academical before moving to Norwich City, and spent stints on loan at Bohemian, Stevenage, Dundee (twice) and Accrington Stanley. McCracken has also represented Scotland at youth international level.

Club career

Norwich City

McCracken began his career at Hamilton Academical, before signing for Norwich City's academy in 2016.[3] After spending the 2018–19 season playing for Norwich's under-23 team, McCracken went on a one-week trial with Premier League club Burnley in July 2019.[4] No transfer materialised and he remained at Norwich for the 2019–20 season, missing the second half of that season after suffering a stress fracture in his back.[5] He trained with the Norwich first team at the start of the 2020–21 season and was an unused substitute in an EFL Cup match against Luton Town on 5 September 2020.[2] He played in all three of the club's EFL Trophy matches during the season. McCracken agreed a contract extension to remain at Norwich on 22 December 2020, with the new agreement running until July 2022.[6] He signed a further two-year contract extension on 4 March 2022, highlighting a possible loan move in order to gain match-playing experience.[7]

Loan to Bohemian

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, McCracken trained with National League club Southend United ahead of a proposed season-long loan move.[8] He suffered an injury during the trial and returned to Norwich to receive treatment.[8] McCracken subsequently joined League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemian on loan on 21 July 2022, on an agreement until 31 December 2022.[9] McCracken kept a clean sheet on his senior debut in a 2–0 away victory against Lucan United in the FAI Cup on 22 August 2022.[10] He provided cover for first choice goalkeeper James Talbot during his time there, making seven appearances in all competitions.[2]

Loan to Stevenage

McCracken signed for League Two club Stevenage on an emergency loan deal on 10 March 2023.[11] He made his English Football League debut a day later in Stevenage's 3–1 victory against Walsall.[12] McCracken's loan spell was ended after he sustained an ankle injury in a 1–1 away draw with Northampton Town on 1 April 2023.[13] He made five appearances during his time at Stevenage.

Loan to Dundee

On 3 July 2023, McCracken joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a season-long loan.[14] He would make his competitive debut in an away Scottish League Cup group stage win against Bonnyrigg Rose.[15] On 15 August, McCracken had his loan mutually cancelled and returned to his parent club after Norwich sold second-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul.[16]

Loan to Accrington Stanley

McCracken signed for League Two club Accrington Stanley on a week-long emergency loan deal on 29 September 2023.[17] McCracken would remain with Accrington after having his emergency loan extended.[18] In a league win against Wrexham on 21 November 2023, McCracken was targeted by missiles thrown by the away supporters which delayed the game.[19] On 24 November, McCracken would again have his emergency loan extended by Accrington, but would leave the club at the end of this extension the following week after breaking his arm.[20] [21]

Second loan to Dundee

On 1 February 2024, McCracken returned to Scottish Premiership club Dundee on loan until the end of the season while nearing recovery from his broken arm.[22] McCracken made his second debut for Dundee on 2 March, in a home league game against Kilmarnock.[23] He kept his first clean sheet for the Dark Blues on 13 March in a league win at home to Aberdeen.[24] McCracken left Dundee at the end of his loan, and his parent club Norwich City announced in their released list that he would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.[25] [26]

Dundee

On 21 June 2024, McCracken returned to Dundee on a permanent contract, signing for the Dark Blues on a two-year deal.[27]

International career

McCracken made his debut for the Scotland under-17 team in 2017, making six appearances throughout the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification stage.[2]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Norwich City U232020–213030
Norwich City2020–21Championship00000000
2021–22Premier League00000000
2022–23Championship00000000
2023–24Championship000000
Total0000000000
Bohemian (loan)2022LOI Premier Division50200070
Stevenage (loan)2022–23League Two5050
Dundee (loan)2023–24Scottish Premiership120003000150
Accrington Stanley (loan)2023–24League Two1102000130
Dundee2024–25Scottish Premiership2000300050
Career total350406030480

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squad lists for 2021/22 Premier League. Premier League . 3 February 2022. 11 March 2023.
  2. News: Soccerway – Jon McCracken. Soccerway. 11 March 2023.
  3. News: Norwich City – Biography – Jon McCracken. Norwich City F.C.. 11 March 2023.
  4. News: Report: Norwich City's Jon McCracken joins Burnley on trial. HITC. 5 July 2019. 12 March 2023. Dan. Owen.
  5. News: Jon McCracken on looking forward with the Under-23s. Norwich City F.C.. 12 March 2023.
  6. News: Jon McCracken signs new contract with the Canaries. Norwich City F.C.. 22 December 2020. 12 March 2023.
  7. News: Jon McCracken signs new contract at Norwich City. Norwich City F.C.. 4 March 2022. 12 March 2023.
  8. News: Norwich City keeper returns because of injury. Norwich Evening News. 13 July 2022. 11 March 2023. Chris. Lakey.
  9. News: Jon McCracken joins Bohemian on loan. Norwich City F.C.. 21 July 2022. 11 March 2023.
  10. News: Loan round-up: McCracken keeps home debut clean sheet. Norwich City F.C.. 26 August 2022. 11 March 2023.
  11. News: Jon McCracken joins Stevenage on emergency loan. Stevenage F.C.. 10 March 2023. 11 March 2023.
  12. News: Stevenage 3–1 Walsall. BBC Sport. 11 March 2023. 11 March 2023.
  13. News: Thimothée Lo-Tutala joins Stevenage on emergency loan. Stevenage F.C.. 6 April 2023. 22 April 2023.
  14. Web site: 2023-07-03 . McCracken joins the Dee . 2023-07-03 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  15. News: Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-07-18.
  16. Web site: petermceleny . 2023-08-15 . McCracken returns to Norwich . 2023-08-15 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  17. News: SIGNING: Jon joins on loan. Accrington Stanley F.C.. 29 September 2023. 29 September 2023.
  18. Web site: McCracken extends loan at Accrington Stanley . 2024-01-30 . Norwich City . en.
  19. News: Wrexham make appeal over objects thrown at keeper . 2024-01-30 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  20. Web site: SIGNING: Jon extends loan . 2024-01-30 . www.accringtonstanley.co.uk . en-gb.
  21. Web site: Cran . George . 2024-02-02 . Why Dundee signed a fourth goalkeeper in Jon McCracken . 2024-02-16 . The Courier . en-GB.
  22. Web site: McCracken returns to The Dee. dundeefc.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 1 February 2024.
  23. News: Kilmarnock drop to fifth despite late Dundee draw . 2024-03-02 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  24. News: Aberdeen 'in trouble' after defeat by Dundee . 2024-03-17 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  25. Web site: 20 May 2024 . Squad Update 2024 - Dundee Football Club - Official Website . 31 May 2024 . dundeefc.co.uk.
  26. Web site: Club confirm released and retained list . 2024-05-31 . Norwich City . en.
  27. Web site: 2024-06-21 . McCracken back at The Dee . 2024-06-21 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.