Ian Crook

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Personal information
Ian Crook
Full name	Ian Stuart Crook
Date of birth	January 18, 1963 (age 44)
Place of birth	Romford, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Nickname	Chippy
Playing position	Defender
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1980-1986 1986-1998	Tottenham Hotspur Norwich City	20 (1) 342 (18)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31/3/2007. * Appearances (Goals)

Ian Stuart Crook, (nicknamed "Chippy") (born January 18, 1963 in Romford, England) is a former professional footballer who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur before making 418 appearances for Norwich City.

Crook was at the hub of the most successful team in Norwich's history. During his eleven seasons at the club, he helped them to a series of top five finishes in England's top division and playing in the club's UEFA Cup run, in the course of which they famously defeated Bayern Munich. He was a midfielder noted for his passing ability and accuracy from set-pieces. He famously agreed to leave Norwich to join their fierce rivals Ipswich Town, even posing for photos with his new shirt, before changing his mind and re-signing for City days later.

[edit] Coaching career

He left to coach Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 1997. He then played for and coached Northern Spirit FC in Australia before moving on to the unenviable job of coaching the American Samoa national football team. In November 2004 he was appointed assistant coach of Sydney FC.

There is periodic speculation about Crook returning to Norwich, notably in the close-season of 2006, when Martin Hunter was eventually appointed as coach in place of Steve Foley. In September 2002 he played at Carrow Road in the club's centenary match against Harwich and Parkeston.

It was reported on 5th January 2007 than Ian had acepted the assistant managers role at Japanese second division side Avispa Fukuoka to be reunited with Pierre Littbarski his manager from his time at Sydney FC.