Lee Carsley
Encyclopedia
Lee Kevin Carsley is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League
and Premier League for Derby County
, Blackburn Rovers
, Coventry City
, Everton
and Birmingham City
. Although English by birth, he represented the Republic of Ireland
internationally. He played as a midfielder
.
In July 2011 he was appointed coach of Coventry City's under-18 team.
where he played more than 150 games in all competitions. He was sold to Blackburn Rovers
in March 1999 for £3.4 million, and was their top scorer in 1999–2000, his only full season with the club. In December 2000 he moved on to Coventry City
for a fee of around £2.5 million, but spent only 14 months with the club before moving on again, this time to Everton
for £1.9 million.
season saw him become an increasingly important player within the team. He was a regular starter in the 4–1–4–1 formation, sitting just in front of the defence and just behind the midfield.
In December 2004, Carsley scored the winner in the 200th Merseyside derby
between Everton and Liverpool
. The win took Everton temporarily to second place in the Premier League. He continued to perform well and Everton ended up finishing fourth, thus gaining entry to the third qualifying stage of the Champions League
.
Four minutes from the end of the 04–05 season, during a game against Bolton Wanderers
, Carsley was stretchered off with a twisted knee. He was fit to resume pre-season training but was injured again at the start of the 2005–06
campaign in a pre-season friendly away to Fenerbahçe S.K. keeping him out for a further 5 months.
Carsley returned to the Everton's first team for the 0–0 away draw with Charlton Athletic
in April 2006. He played in the next game against Tottenham Hotspur
and lined up against Chelsea
also. 46 minutes into that game Carsley received a dubious straight red card for his foul on Didier Drogba
, receiving a three-match suspension and ending his season.
On 3 November 2007 Carsley scored a fine goal in the 93rd minute for Everton against Birmingham City
to give Everton victory after the game appeared to be heading towards a 1–1 draw. Everton eventually won 3–1.
; he chose not to accept the offered extension, and signed for home-town club Birmingham City
in May 2008. With club captain Damien Johnson
expected to be out of action for several months following a back operation, Carsley started the 2008–09 season as captain.
At the Birmingham City end of season awards he won the Player's player of the season award, and the Junior Blues Player of the season award.
In November 2009, he was at the centre of controversy in Birmingham's Premiership match against Liverpool
at Anfield
. Following his tackle on David N'Gog
, a penalty
was awarded which Steven Gerrard
converted to bring the scores level. Carsley believed that N'Gog had dived to win the penalty and described it as "an embarrassing case of cheating". After a season disrupted by injury, he confirmed in April 2010 that he would leave the club at the end of the season.
On 22 July 2011, he was appointed coach of Coventry City's under-18 team.
through his grandmother, who is from Dunmanway
, County Cork
.
Carsley was involved in the qualification for both the 1998
and the 2002 World Cups
. He was part of the Ireland squad that reached the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup, making one appearance in the finals, in their 3–0 win over Saudi Arabia
in the group stages.
In 2004 he declared he was going to take a break from the international scene to focus both on getting back in the Everton side and on his family. In September 2005, Carsley announced that "As soon as I am playing again, I will be straight on the phone saying I want to be considered for the Ireland squad". Although he was controversially left out of the squad for a 5–2 defeat away to Cyprus
, he showed he could still perform at the highest international level with a solid display against Czech Republic
at Lansdowne Road in October 2006.
He won 39 caps
for his country.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and Premier League for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. Although English by birth, he represented the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
internationally. He played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
In July 2011 he was appointed coach of Coventry City's under-18 team.
Derby, Coventry & Blackburn
Carsley began his career at Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
where he played more than 150 games in all competitions. He was sold to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in March 1999 for £3.4 million, and was their top scorer in 1999–2000, his only full season with the club. In December 2000 he moved on to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
for a fee of around £2.5 million, but spent only 14 months with the club before moving on again, this time to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
for £1.9 million.
Everton
Carsley enjoyed mixed fortunes during his first two seasons at Everton, but the 2004–052004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season saw him become an increasingly important player within the team. He was a regular starter in the 4–1–4–1 formation, sitting just in front of the defence and just behind the midfield.
In December 2004, Carsley scored the winner in the 200th Merseyside derby
Merseyside derby
The Merseyside derby is the name given to any football match contested between Everton and Liverpool football clubs, the two most successful clubs from the city of Liverpool in England...
between Everton and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. The win took Everton temporarily to second place in the Premier League. He continued to perform well and Everton ended up finishing fourth, thus gaining entry to the third qualifying stage of the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Four minutes from the end of the 04–05 season, during a game against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, Carsley was stretchered off with a twisted knee. He was fit to resume pre-season training but was injured again at the start of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
campaign in a pre-season friendly away to Fenerbahçe S.K. keeping him out for a further 5 months.
Carsley returned to the Everton's first team for the 0–0 away draw with Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in April 2006. He played in the next game against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and lined up against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
also. 46 minutes into that game Carsley received a dubious straight red card for his foul on Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he is deputy vice-captain, and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team...
, receiving a three-match suspension and ending his season.
On 3 November 2007 Carsley scored a fine goal in the 93rd minute for Everton against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
to give Everton victory after the game appeared to be heading towards a 1–1 draw. Everton eventually won 3–1.
Birmingham City
His contract with Everton was due to expire at the end of 2007–08 season2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
; he chose not to accept the offered extension, and signed for home-town club Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in May 2008. With club captain Damien Johnson
Damien Johnson
Damien Michael Johnson is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle, but as of 19 July 2011 he is on loan at Huddersfield Town for a second consecutive season....
expected to be out of action for several months following a back operation, Carsley started the 2008–09 season as captain.
At the Birmingham City end of season awards he won the Player's player of the season award, and the Junior Blues Player of the season award.
In November 2009, he was at the centre of controversy in Birmingham's Premiership match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. Following his tackle on David N'Gog
David N'Gog
David N'Gog is a French footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers. He is the cousin of the Panathinaikos and French international player Jean-Alain Boumsong.-Paris Saint-Germain:...
, a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
was awarded which Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
converted to bring the scores level. Carsley believed that N'Gog had dived to win the penalty and described it as "an embarrassing case of cheating". After a season disrupted by injury, he confirmed in April 2010 that he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Coventry City
Carsley returned to former club Coventry City in July 2010, signing a one-year contract. He was appointed club captain by manager Aidy Boothroyd. After he was released at the end of his contract, he retired from professional football.On 22 July 2011, he was appointed coach of Coventry City's under-18 team.
International career
Carsley qualifies for the Republic of Ireland national teamRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
through his grandmother, who is from Dunmanway
Dunmanway
Dunmanway is a town in County Cork, in the southwest of Ireland. It is the geographical centre of the region known as West Cork. It is probably best known as the birthplace of Sam Maguire, an Irish Protestant republican, for whom the trophy of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship is...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Carsley was involved in the qualification for both the 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and the 2002 World Cups
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. He was part of the Ireland squad that reached the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup, making one appearance in the finals, in their 3–0 win over Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
in the group stages.
In 2004 he declared he was going to take a break from the international scene to focus both on getting back in the Everton side and on his family. In September 2005, Carsley announced that "As soon as I am playing again, I will be straight on the phone saying I want to be considered for the Ireland squad". Although he was controversially left out of the squad for a 5–2 defeat away to Cyprus
Cyprus national football team
The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in association football and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association, the governing body for football in Cyprus. Cyprus' home ground is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia and the current coach is Nikos Nioplias...
, he showed he could still perform at the highest international level with a solid display against Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
at Lansdowne Road in October 2006.
He won 39 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for his country.