He was the younger brother of fellow player Billy Crone.

Crone, who played as a full-back, played club football in both Ireland and England for Distillery, Glentoran, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Burton Swifts, Notts County, Bedminster and Brentford.

[1] Crone also earned four international caps for Ireland between 1889 and 1890.

[2] After retiring as a player in 1901, Crone became a coach at Bristol City (1901–1903), Brentford (1902–1908, also serving briefly as caretaker manager in 1906),[3] West Bromwich Albion (1908–1909) and Workington (1909–1910).

He served as trainer at Southern League side Swansea Town between 1912 and 1914, working under former Brentford colleague Walter Whittaker.