Richard Cresswell

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Personal information
Richard Cresswell
Full name	Richard Cresswell
Date of birth	September 20, 1977 (age 29)
Place of birth	Crewe, England
Nickname	'Crocky'
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Leeds United
Number	25
Youth clubs
	York City
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1995-99 1997 1999-00 2000-01 2001 2001-05 2005-present	York City → Mansfield Town (loan) Sheffield Wednesday Leicester City → Preston North End (loan) Preston North End Leeds United	95 (21) 5 (1) 31 (2) 8 (0) 11 (2) 176 (46) 30 (8)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:18, 10 March 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Richard Cresswell (born 20 September 1977 in Bridlington) is an English professional Footballer, currently playing for Football League Championship side Leeds United. Cresswell is a centre-forward.

[edit] Early career

Cresswell began his career at York City, winning caps for the England Under-21 Team, before a £950,000 move to then Premiership side, Sheffield Wednesday. He was then loaned to Leicester City in September 2000, before completing a £750,000 move later in the season. In July 2001, Cresswell then transferred to Preston North End for £500,000.

It was at Preston where Cresswell would enjoy his best goal return, in the 2004-2005 season. He scored a total of 23 goals in 52 games, which helped Preston to reach the Championship Play-offs, where they were beaten by West Ham United.

[edit] 2005 - Present

Cresswell was purchased by Leeds United on the final day of the 2005 summer transfer window. It had been widely believed that Cresswell would move to Sheffield United, Leeds' Yorkshire rivals, however, comments made by Sheffield manager Neil Warnock hinted that Cresswell would move to Leeds instead. It was confirmed on 31 August that Leeds had indeed signed Cresswell, for a fee of £1,150,000. After signing, Cresswell made it known that he was a lifelong Leeds United supporter, and did not want to miss a chance to join his favourite club.

It did not take Cresswell long to find the net for his new club, scoring two goals in Leeds' Carling Cup defeat of Rotherham United, in only his second start. These goals meant that Leeds won a Yorkshire Derby for the first time in four years and immediately endeared Cresswell to Leeds fans. However, Cresswell suffered ruptured knee ligaments in a match against Derby County, just a week later. This injury kept Cresswell out of action for ten weeks, missing a total of thirteen games. Once Cresswell returned from injury, it did not take him long to rediscover his scoring touch, scoring in his second match back, against Coventry City. Cresswell scored four more goals, making him Leeds' joint third top scorer, with Robbie Blake. Another knee injury though, this time before a match with Derby County again slowed his and Leeds United progress. Although a six week lay off was initially predicted after surgery, it turned out to be worse and he was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season. He was ruled out of the playoff final after being sent off in Leeds' 2-0 (Leeds advance 3-1) second leg victory over former club Preston.

In the 2006-07 season, Cresswell got another injury which ruled him out of action for a few months, after a few games, one goal and in many Leeds' fans opinions, several diabolical performances, Cresswell got another injury and was kept out until February. He made his comeback as a substitute against Crystal Palace, and it is believed that his return will be instrumental in ensuring Leeds United's safety in the Championship this season. After a few games working his way back to full fitness, Cresswell netted 2 goals in successive matches, including a potentially vital winner against fellow relegation rivals Luton Town, and firmly established himself as one of the fans favourites once again. His main attributes are his lethal finishing ability and skillful play.