Adam Crookes

Crookes began his career with St. Helen's and Navenby, before signing for Nottingham Forest at the age of eight.[5] He captained Forest's under-18 team to the Professional Development U18 League 2 title and the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup in the 2015–16 season.[6] In an interview with the Nottingham Post in November 2017, he said that "I thought I've been playing quite strongly and hopefully I can push on, and maybe the gaffer (Mark Warburton) is going to have a look at me. If not, I'll look to go on loan."[7] He moved on loan to struggling National League side Guiseley the following month.[8] He made his senior debut on 20 December, in a 2–1 defeat at Gateshead in the FA Trophy.[9] He made his league debut at Nethermoor Park three days later in a 1–1 draw with Aldershot Town.[10] Having established himself in the first-team for Paul Cox's "Lions", the loan was later extended until the end of the 2017–18 season.[11] However he was recalled by Forest manager Aitor Karanka in March 2018, after making 16 appearances.[12]

He moved on loan to his hometown club, Lincoln City, in August 2018, after impressing manager Danny Cowley on trial.[5][13] He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 28 August, as the "Imps" fell to a 4–1 defeat at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.[14] However he failed to break into the first-team for the League Two leaders and was recalled to the City Ground in January 2019, having made only four further EFL Trophy appearances at Sincil Bank.[15]

On 14 January 2019, Crookes joined struggling League Two side Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[16][17] Manager Neil Aspin state that "A natural left-footer in the defence is something we've not had and he'll compete for a place".[18] He made his debut in the English Football League in a 1–0 win at Crawley Town on 19 January.[19] He maintained his first-team place under new manager John Askey, impressing both playing on the left of a back three and at left-back in a back four.[20] Assistant manager Dave Kevan said that Crookes had good character and that the management team would monitor his availability in the summer.[21] Crookes was released by Nottingham Forest on 13 May 2019,[22] though his agent Phil Sproson revealed that he had received contract offers from Vale and another, unnamed club.[23] He signed a two-year deal with Port Vale on 31 May.[24]

He began the 2019–20 season playing at left-back and said that he had been studying Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson to improve his performance in the role.[25] He maintained his first-team place until a "freakish training accident" saw him sidelined in late-October.[26] He returned to training after a four-month layoff, but was unable to add to his 17 starts before the season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[27][28]