Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Darren Anthony Carter (born 18 December 1983) is an English football coach and former professional player. Primarily a central midfielder, Carter made more than 300 appearances in the Premier League and Football League over a 14-year career, and then spent a further six seasons playing in the National League. He was most recently head coach of FA Women's Championship club Birmingham City Women.
An England under-19 and under-20 international, Carter began his career with Birmingham City, and came to prominence at the age of 18 when his penalty in the 2002 play-off final clinched the club's promotion to the Premier League. He was loaned to Sunderland in winter 2004, before he was sold to West Bromwich Albion for £1.5 million in July 2005. In August 2007, he joined Preston North End for a fee of up to £1.25 million. Loaned to Millwall in the 2010–11 season, he later had to spend the 2011–12 season without a club after tearing a groin muscle during a trial match. He returned to action in the 2012–13 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and then spent two seasons with Northampton Town. He spent the next two seasons with Forest Green Rovers of the National League and a further four with Solihull Moors.
While with Solihull Moors, he managed their youth academy and acted as a development coach, and spent time as first-team coach of West Bromwich Albion Women, before taking up the post of interim head coach of FA WSL club Birmingham City Women in November 2021. He was upgraded to permanent head coach at the end of May 2022, and left the club towards the end of the 2023–24 season.
Club careerEdit
Birmingham CityEdit
Carter was born in Solihull, West Midlands.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his first-team debut for Birmingham City in the First Division at the age of 18 in a 1–0 defeat to local rivals West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on 29 January 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first goal in senior football on 10 April, helping the Blues to secure a play-off spot with a 3–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra at St Andrew's.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 12 May, he made himself a Birmingham City hero when he scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out to win the play-off final against Norwich City at the Millennium Stadium. The match had finished 1–1 after extra time.<ref name=2002FLPO>Template:Cite news</ref>
Carter played only 12 Premier League matches in the 2002–03 season, with half of these appearances coming before mid-October. His first team opportunities were even more restricted in the 2003–04 campaign, as he featured in just five Premier League matches. Despite this, he signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in January 2004 after 20 months of negotiations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2004 he was scheduled to go out on loan to Rotherham United before injuries and suspensions at Birmingham persuaded manager Steve Bruce to put an end to the deal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He was loaned to Sunderland in September 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Carter scored on his debut, in a 3–1 victory over Preston North End at the Stadium of Light on 18 September.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made nine further appearances for the club before being recalled by Birmingham on 6 December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This gave his Birmingham career the boost it needed, and he was seen as a vital member of the squad until his July 2005 transfer to West Bromwich Albion for £1.5 million.<ref name="Bryan Robson">Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2004–05 season, Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League as champions of the Championship.
West Bromwich AlbionEdit
Carter made his West Bromwich Albion debut at The Hawthorns in a 3–2 defeat to his former club Birmingham on 27 August 2005.<ref name=sb0506/> He initially struggled to make the bench, and on 11 October manager Bryan Robson said that he "is still very much in my thoughts at this time".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first goal for the club four days later with a Template:Convert volley in a 2–1 victory over Arsenal; the strike won him the club's Goal-of-the-Season Award.<ref name="Carter seals Preston move">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The "Baggies" were relegated at the end of the 2005–06 season, and Carter was singled out for booing by the home crowd.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He made 33 appearances in the Championship in the 2006–07 season, and was used as a substitute in the play-off final defeat to Derby County at Wembley Stadium, replacing Zoltán Gera on 71 minutes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Preston North EndEdit
After manager Tony Mowbray confirmed that Carter could not be guaranteed first-team football at West Bromwich Albion, he signed a four-year deal with Preston North End, managed by Paul Simpson. The move was completed on 9 August 2007, for an initial £750,000 fee with potential to rise to £1.25m, and the contract included a 20% sell-on clause.<ref name="Carter seals Preston move"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Carter made his Preston debut in a 0–0 draw with Norwich City at Deepdale two days later,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and his performance earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 2008, Carter scored a 93rd-minute own goal for Portsmouth to knock Preston out of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He finished the 2007–08 campaign with 43 appearances.
Manager Alan Irvine started Carter in just eight matches in the following season, and the midfielder later admitted the season was "nothing short of a disaster for me personally".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Preston reached the play-off semi-finals, but lost 2–1 on aggregate to Sheffield United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Carter was transfer-listed at the end of the 2009–10 season after complaining of a lack of first-team opportunities under new manager Darren Ferguson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In July 2010 he spent a week on trial with Millwall, but a proposed six-month loan move fell through.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He then joined Southampton on trial.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 4 August, he joined Kenny Jackett's Millwall on a three-month loan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut on the opening day of the new season, and was sent off for two bookable offences as his new club won 3–0 away at Bristol City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The loan deal was extended to January.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made five starts and six substitute appearances for the Lions.
On his return from loan, Carter went straight into Preston's starting eleven under new manager Phil Brown. He opened the scoring in the FA Cup-tie against Nottingham Forest, his first match for Preston for nine months; Forest won 2–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After Preston were relegated to League One and Carter's contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season, he trained with the club during July, but no terms were agreed on a new deal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Carter began training with former club Birmingham City in August in the hope of earning a contract, but after no deal was forthcoming he had a trial in October with fellow Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but manager Gus Poyet told him he was looking for a more physical type of midfielder. While playing for Nottingham Forest reserves in November as part of another trial, Carter tore a groin muscle, requiring surgery and a three-month recovery period.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Once he regained fitness towards the end of the 2011–12 season, he played for Walsall's reserves, and returned to Birmingham City for pre-season training.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cheltenham TownEdit
In August 2012, Carter signed a six-month contract with League Two club Cheltenham Town.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He re-signed with the "Robins" in January, to keep him at Whaddon Road until the end of the 2012–13 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheltenham reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Northampton Town; Carter was an unused substitute in both legs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2013, he was released by Cheltenham after manager Mark Yates admitted that he could not meet the player's wage demands.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Carter denied this was the case, saying no contract negotiations took place and that he was left out of the crucial end-of-season run-in without any explanation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Northampton TownEdit
Carter signed a two-year contract with Northampton Town in July 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The club were still in League Two, having lost the play-off final to Bradford City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his competitive debut for Northampton, at York City in the opening match of the campaign, he was sent off for a second bookable offence with 18 minutes to play, and his team lost 1–0 thanks to a last-minute goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After two seasons at the club, and failing to hold down a first team place in 2014–15, Carter was released by manager Chris Wilder.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Forest Green RoversEdit
On 22 September 2015, Carter signed for National League leaders Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut against his former club, second-placed Cheltenham Town, that same evening; the match ended as a 2–2 draw.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He continued in the starting eleven, and on his fourth appearance, his shot from the edge of the penalty area opened the scoring in the 3–0 win away to Aldershot Town.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> He scored his second goal for the club in an FA Cup first round away win over Football League club AFC Wimbledon on 7 November.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He helped Forest Green reach the 2016 National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 15 May 2016, and played the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 loss to Grimsby Town that denied the club a place in the Football League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following day, newly appointed manager Mark Cooper offered him a new contract,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> of one year, which he accepted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He scored his first goal of the 2016–17 National League season on 27 August 2016 in a 4–1 win away to Maidstone United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made 29 league appearances, scoring 4 goals, as Forest Green finished in the play-off positions. On 3 May 2017Template:Sndafter the end of the regular season but before the play-offsTemplate:Sndthe club confirmed that Carter's contract had been terminated by mutual consent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Solihull MoorsEdit
On 28 June 2017, Carter signed for National League club Solihull Moors on a free transfer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He went into the campaign "with the attitude that I am going to play 40-odd games",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and proceeded to do so. He was appointed captain, and missed only one match over the season as the team finished in the lower half of mid-table. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, he signed a one-year playing contract and was appointed manager of the club's youth academy.<ref name=Soccerway/><ref name="Moors Academy Mgr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He remained a regular in the team, playing in 44 of the 46 league matches as Moors finished second, three points behind Leyton Orient, and lost to AFC Fylde in the play-off semi-final.<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His consistency of performance earned him a place in the National League Team of the Season alongside Moors team-mate Jamey Osborne.<ref name=201819TotS>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 3 June 2021, it was announced that Carter had left the club.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
International careerEdit
Carter represented the England under-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was capped 11 times in all at that level.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In one match he was sent off for a foul on Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Style of playEdit
Speaking in July 2005, Bryan Robson stated that Carter "has very good stamina and is very much a box-to-box player who can play in the centre of midfield or wide on the left. He is also left footed which gives us good balance in the squad, he has a good presence".<ref name="Bryan Robson"/>
Coaching careerEdit
While a player with Solihull Moors, he managed the club's academy,<ref name="Moors Academy Mgr"/> and also acted as a youth development coach.<ref name="Blues Women interim"/> He spent time in the early part of the 2021–22 season as first-team coach of West Bromwich Albion Women, before taking on the role of interim head coach of FA WSL club Birmingham City Women on 21 November 2021 following the dismissal of Scott Booth.<ref name="Blues Women interim">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After being unable to avoid relegation to the FA Women's Championship, his role as head coach became permanent on 30 May 2022 after a two-year deal was signed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The team fell just one point short of promotion in 2022–23, and Carter left the club by mutual consent in April 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Career statisticsEdit
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Birmingham City | 2001–02<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | First Division | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| 2002–03<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05<ref name=sb0405>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 17 | 4 | |||
| Total | 45 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 53 | 5 | ||
| Sunderland (loan) | 2004–05<ref name=sb0405/> | Championship | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2005–06<ref name=sb0506>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 25 | 1 | |
| 2006–07<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 33 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
| Total | 53 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 66 | 6 | ||
| Preston North End | 2007–08<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 39 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 43 | 4 | |
| 2008–09<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
| 2009–10<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 23 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2010–11<ref name=sb1011>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
| Total | 94 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 108 | 6 | ||
| Millwall (loan) | 2010–11<ref name=sb1011/> | Championship | 10 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| Cheltenham Town | 2012–13<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | League Two | 34 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 38 | 6 |
| Northampton Town | 2013–14<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | League Two | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 38 | 5 |
| 2014–15<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | League Two | 23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Total | 60 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 65 | 6 | ||
| Forest Green Rovers | 2015–16<ref name=Soccerway/> | National League | 33 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 3Template:Efn | 0 | 39 | 8 | |
| 2016–17<ref name=Soccerway/> | National League | 29 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 3Template:Efn | 1 | 33 | 5 | ||
| Total | 62 | 11 | 4 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | 72 | 13 | |||
| Solihull Moors | 2017–18<ref name=Soccerway/> | National League | 45 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 49 | 8 | |
| 2018–19<ref name=Soccerway/> | National League | 44 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 5Template:Efn | 0 | 52 | 3 | ||
| 2019–20<ref name=Soccerway/> | National League | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3Template:Efn | 1 | 21 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21<ref name=Soccerway>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
National League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 118 | 10 | 7 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 134 | 12 | |||
| Career total | 486 | 45 | 32 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 557 | 55 | ||
HonoursEdit
Birmingham City
- Football League First Division play-offs: 2002<ref name=2002FLPO/>
Individual
- National League Team of the Season: 2018–19<ref name=201819TotS/>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Profile Template:Webarchive at the Solihull Moors F.C. website
- Template:Soccerbase