• Roger Crane joined Ely in 1976 from Cambridge City having played 150+ games for the Lillywhites. He opened his account for us in that first season (1976/77) with the only goal in a 1 – 0 win over Haverhill Rovers.
• In 1977-78 - he contributed 8 goals – remarkably scoring in every competition Ely entered that season, namely the League, FA Cup, FA Vase, Cambs Invitation Cup, League Cup and, for good measure, the Soham Charity Cup.
• In 1978-79 he scored both goals as City knocked local-rivals Soham TR out of the East Anglian Cup. Following the departure of Manager Roger Pauley, he was appointed as City’s Player-Manager with effect from Easter 1979.
• Due to business commitments Roger had to resign his position mid-way though the 1979-80 season, although it was effectively his team, now under the leadership of Lester Newell, that would go on to win the Eastern Counties League Cup that season for the first, and thus far, only time.
• Roger returned– again appointed as player manager - midway through the 1983-84 season with the Club in some turmoil having finished bottom of the pile the previous year – and looking likely to repeat that feat. However, under his steady and no nonsense stewardship Ely secured enough points to stay above the two re-election spots (the 1st Division was not established until the 1988/89 season).
• With very limited resources available to him, Roger again performed wonders the following season (1984/85) by keeping the Club out of trouble - achieving 18th position - which included securing a vital point against champions elect Braintree Town on the final day of the season.
• 1985/86 followed a similar pattern of struggle as the Club continued to find it difficult to compete at ECL level – but once again Roger ensured the Team fought and battled, often against technically superior teams, to finish above the re-election zone. He was also Manager for our last game at the Paradise Ground against Felixstowe – and our first at the Unwin Ground the following season.
• Roger stepped-down as manager in October 1986 after a poor start to the 86/87 season - to be replaced by Andy Parker However, it was a mark of the Roger’s commitment to the Club that he continued to play – usually as Captain - for the remainder of that season and remained as a player in 87/88, 88/89 (when he was Assistant Manager to Derek Warwick for a short period) and 89/90. He made his final appearance for the Club in the 1990/91 season.

Roger’s time at the Club covered 11+ seasons – during which time he scored a total of 21 goals. Roger’s commitment and contribution as Captain and Manager of the Club during a particularly difficult period in the mid-eighties will always be remembered fondly by Robins supporters. In retrospect to keep a struggling team with little or no resources out of the re-election season for three consecutive seasons (83/84, 84/85 and 85/86) was a significant achievement.

A good player, manager and man. The Club would like to extend its sympathies to Roger’s family at this very sad time.

*Information provided by Simon Barlow