PERS. INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

• Cefn Druids AFC | Youth – 2016
• The New Saints FC | 2016 – 2020
• Oswestry Town FC | 2019 – 2020 (loan)
• Cardiff Metropolitan University FC | 2020 – …

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

My name is CJ Craven and currently play for Cardiff Met FC. I joined in 2020 and I am currently still here.

How important is football for you? 

To me Football is very important in a sense that it has always kept me on the right track and has always been a focal point in my life. Football will always remain important to me and hold its value as long as I am enjoying it.

You began your youth career with Cefn Druids before moving to The New Saints from 2016 to 2019. How did these early experiences shape your development as a player?

These experiences shaped my development as a player as this was probably the time where I developed confidence in my own ability. Cefn Druids was a place where a lot of local lads who I had played with in youth football were playing together so there was a real sense of community and belonging. Whereas moving to TNS offered the challenge of meeting new people and testing myself in a more demanding environment.

Transitioning from youth football at TNS to the senior level is a big step. What were the biggest adjustments you had to make when moving up?

For me it was making sure I never lost my tenacious side as this is probably a key part of my game. With that, I had to make sure that I was sharper in everything I did. I had to adapt to the pressure of being in the first team environment, where in reality everything you do is being judged by either the coaching staff or players. So for me it was just making sure I did the basics well. (I still struggle to do that now).

After leaving TNS, you joined Oswestry Town FC in 2019. What attracted you to the club, and how would you describe your time there?

This was a really enjoyable time for me as it was my first taste of men’s football and the people in and around the club were great. I have huge respect for those involved with Oswestry Town. It was a loan deal between the two clubs as TNS had strong link with Oswestry.

In September 2020, you joined Cardiff Met FC. What influenced your decision to become part of this club, and how has your role evolved since your arrival?

My contract was not renewed at TNS so this is what shaped my next move in my career. My family has always ensured that my grades were of a high standard and I always had an idea of what I wanted to do if football wasn’t to work out. This is where Cardiff Met was a no brainer for me. An opportunity to study alongside the hope of gaining some experience playing in the Cymru Prem was enough to bring me down to Cardiff which is where I am today. Since my arrival I would say overtime I have grown year upon year. From the fresher that first arrived not being involved much at all in the Cymru Prem Squad to now captaining Cardiff Met, probably summarises how my role has evolved.

Being part of a university-affiliated club, how has the academic environment influenced your approach to football, both on and off the field?

I would say it has influenced me massively. In terms of off field It has provided me the opportunity to meet friends and memories for life which I definitely would never have experienced if I had not come down to cardiff. In terms of on pitch the academic side of things has provided a sense of professionalism and created a real work ethic to achieve well.

What significant challenges have you faced in your football career, and how have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

For me it would probably be when I first arrived at Met. Having come from TNS I assumed I would get into the team here straight away which looking back was naive of me. So it probably made me understand that patience is key and that at 19 you are still a young lad even if you think you are wiser than what you are. With this it took the pressure off me a little bit and made me  enjoy things away from football even more.

While your primary position is central midfield, you’ve also played in left and right midfield roles. How do you adapt your playing style to meet the demands of these different positions?

For me the way I play is probably suitable for all the different positions I play. I wouldn’t say I’m a fancy player by any stretch of my imagination’s and when I end up getting carried away It always ends up going wrong! So now as long as I do the basics well as mentioned earlier and get stuck in and use my brain from time to time I seem to be able to slot into different positions.

Having played for multiple clubs in Wales, how do you adapt to different playing styles, coaching philosophies, and team environments?

For me the clubs that I have been at have been quite similar. Very forward thinking, aggressive and like to keep the ball. The challenge of dealing with the different team has made me adapt in a way that I have to understand my role within that environment, however, making sure I don’t change who I am at the same time.