Roy Carroll

Roy Eric Carroll (born September 30 1977 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh) is a Northern Ireland association football currently playing for Derby County F.C. in the Football League Championship.

Background

Carroll was brought up in Tamlaght, County Fermanagh, and began his career with local sides Fivemiletown United and Ballinamallard United. He moved to England and played for Hull City A.F.C., Wigan Athletic F.C., Manchester United F.C., West Ham United F.C. and Derby County F.C.. In November 2001, Carroll received a Red Cross Humanitarian Award for his kindness to a child with leukaemia. In November 2006, he entered rehabilitation for gambling and alcohol-related addiction. 'Stress' was cited by the Carroll family.

Club career

Hull City

Carroll joined Hull City A.F.C. in September 1995 as a trainee and went on to make 50 appearances for the club in all competitions but he was sold two seasons later to pay off Hull's mounting debts. for who he made 170 appearances in all competitions in four years. Carroll faced stiff competition against Fabien Barthez at United but won a Premier League winners' medal in the 2002-03 in English football season. By the 2003-04 in English football season Tim Howard was signed and Carroll had yet more competition. He won an FA Cup winners' medal in May 2004 when he came on as substitute for Howard in the 84th minute. On February 19 2005, in an FA Cup match against Everton F.C., Carroll was struck on the back of the head by any of various projectiles including coins and Mobile phone, in a match high on security for team-mate and Everton returnee Wayne Rooney which Manchester United won 2-0. Carroll gained his greatest infamy for the "goal that never was" against Tottenham Hotspur F.C.; a speculative shot from the half-way line by Pedro Mendes that Carroll dropped well behind his goal-line then scooped back into play. The referee and his linesmen were unable to verify that the ball had gone over the line. Though Carroll got away with that particular gaffe, his error led to him being dropped for a few matches. He made a second blunder in a 0-1 defeat by A.C. Milan, where he spilled a shot into the path of Hernán Crespo, who then scored. He was released by Manchester United on May 27 2005 after his contract expired; he refused to sign a new deal after the club failed to assure him that he would be first choice for the next season.

West Ham United

Three weeks after leaving Old Trafford (football ground), Carroll signed for West Ham. Carroll enjoyed a successful start to his West Ham career, making 19 appearances. However, a back injury sustained in a game against Fulham F.C. on January 23 2006 left him needing surgery, and he was sidelined for the remainder of the 2005-06 in English football season. On May 25, 2007, West Ham stated that he had been released after asking for a transfer to achieve regular first team football. He made just 17 appearances in the 2006-07 season, due to the arrival of Robert Green, and his final game for the Hammers took place in February.

Rangers

Carroll signed for Rangers on a one-year contract on July 7, 2007, initially as cover for Allan McGregor but also to challenge for a starting place. He made his first and only appearance for Rangers F.C. against East Fife F.C. in a Scottish League Cup match on 26 September 2007.

Derby County

On 9 January 2008, it was revealed that Carroll was in line for a move to Premier League side Derby County F.C. Carroll was allowed permission to talk with Derby and personal terms were agreed, but the deal hinged on Rangers signing a replacement goalkeeper. After over a week with little progress, Derby County called off the move, ,but when Carroll offered to pay the loan fee so Rangers could sign Sunderland keeper Darren Ward (footballer born 1974), the deal was revived. Carroll hoped to join Derby on loan for the rest of the 2007-08 in Scottish football but the move was again held up by Rangers as they refused to release his registration until they found another keeper. After signing Neil Alexander from Ipswich Town F.C., Carroll was free to sign for Derby, and a deal was completed on deadline day. He signed a three-year contract with the club on 21 January 2008, and made his debut in a Premiership match against Birmingham City on 2 February, 2008.

International career

Carroll gained his first of 19 international Cap (football)s on 21 May 1997 in a game against Thailand national football team. For many years Carroll has fought a losing battle to be Northern Ireland national football team's first choice keeper to the experienced Maik Taylor. On his 19th cap, Carroll was the starting keeper for Northern Ireland but was substituted through injury before half-time for Taylor to come in.

Honours

- Premier League (Level 1): 2003
- FA Cup: 2004