Craig Wayne Farrell was born on 5 December 1982 in Middlesbrough, Cleveland,[2] where he grew up and attended Beechwood First School as a child.

[4] Following a successful loan spell at Carlisle, Farrell signed for the club permanently on a three-year contract in November for a fee that could have risen to £50,000 depending on appearances.

[18] He started the 2007–08 season playing as a right winger,[19] and after making seven appearances was unable to feature for over a month due to poor form and a thigh problem.

[20][21] After a struggle to regain fitness, Farrell made his return after coming on as a 69th-minute substitute against Southern League Division One Midlands team Rushall Olympic in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and proceeded to score the third fastest hat-trick in York's history and provide an assist for a fourth goal.

[25] Conference North club Gateshead attempted to sign Farrell on loan in January 2009 for the remainder of the 2008–09 season,[26] but he rejected this offer, saying he was not interested in moving down a division.

[31] Farrell joined Conference Premier club Rushden & Diamonds on 12 June 2009, as part of an exchange deal plus £10,000 from York, for striker Michael Rankine.

[39] Upon release from Telford, Farrell signed a contract for Hinckley United in February 2012, where he had spent the previous month on loan.

[42] On 16 November 2012, Farrell joined Blyth's divisional rivals Whitby Town, making his debut in a 3–1 defeat at the Turnbull Ground, against Ashton United.