Alex Cribley - Player Profile
| Full Name: | Alexander Cribley |
| Born: | 01/04/1957 (age 67) |
| Place of Birth: | Liverpool |
| Nationality: | England |
| Position: | Defence |
| First Team Debut: | 01/11/1980 v AFC Bournemouth (A) - Football League Division Four |
| Signed: | 25/10/1980 (Free - Liverpool) |
Alex was signed by Ian McNeill on a free transfer from Liverpool in late October 1980 after having played a couple of matches in Latics’ reserve team. He was signed as a replacement for the tragic Neil Davids who had broken his leg in a League game against Tranmere Rovers a week earlier. Ironically the player who did the damage was Clive Evans, who later signed for Latics.
Alex made his Latics League debut on 1st November 1980 against Bournemouth at Dean Court in a 0-3 defeat. Alex, a truly great servant of the club scored his first League goal against Wrexham in a game at Springfield Park on 4th April 1983 when Bobby Charlton was the caretaker manager of the club at a time when there were real doubts as to whether the club would exist the following season.
His distinguished playing career came to an end on 10th October 1987 when he injured his ankle when tackling Gary Owers to prevent a Sunderland goal after just seven minutes of the game at Roker Park had elapsed. Despite many operations he was finally advised to retire and by the time he had packed away his boots he had made 268+3 League appearances for the Blues scoring 17 League goals in the process.
On Sunday 6th May 1990 he was given a testimonial game when a full strength Everton team including ex Latic Mike Newell visited Springfield Park. The game resulted in a 3-2 win for the Toffees with Jimmy Carberry and Bryan Griffiths scoring for Latics. Tony Cottee, Pat Nevin and an own goal from Alan Johnson couldn’t spoil a happy day for Alex.
Wigan Athletic Career
| League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 1987-1988 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | |
| 1986-1987 | 45 (0) | 8 | 6 (0) | 0 | 2 (0) | 1 | 2 (0) | 1 | 55 (0) | 10 | |
| 1983-1984 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | |
| 1982-1983 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | |
| 1981-1982 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | |
| 1980-1981 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 (0) | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 45 (0) | 8 | 6 (0) | 0 | 2 (0) | 1 | 2 (0) | 1 | 55 (0) | 10 | |
