Tim's was a very short time at Bloomfield Road for he was signed by Blackpool on 12 July 1995 having been given a free transfer by Millwall at the end of the 1994/95 season. He was initially given a three-month contract by the club on the understanding that they would review the position with regard to giving him a full contract at the end of that time.
Before arriving at Bloomfield Road he had begun his career as an apprentice at Bristol Rovers before signing as a professional for the club in October 1985. Bristol Rovers loaned him in December 1987 to Newport County where he played one League game and he had played 47 League games for Bristol Rovers when they transferred him to Sunderland in December 1987.
He was in and out of the Sunderland side and they loaned him out three times during his stay at Roker Park, firstly in March 1988 to Carlisle United where he played four League games, secondly in September 1988 to Bristol City where he played three League games and finally in November 1991 to Birmingham City where he played two League games.
While at Sunderland he was a member of the squad that lost the 1992 FA Cup final to Liverpool and he always remembered that as one of the highlights of his career. He played 37 League games for Sunderland before he was transferred to Hartlepool United in August 1992.
He played 18 League games for Hartlepool before he was on the move again with a transfer to Millwall in January 1994. He played four League games for Millwall before his release. Despite his lack of regular first team opportunities he was no mean goalkeeper and he was an England Youth international, winning three caps in 1985.
His arrival at Blackpool was somewhat bizarre for he was at Heathrow Airport when he heard that Blackpool were keen to sign him. He was on the way to the Far East where a Hong Kong club was interested in signing him and he was expecting to be playing his football overseas from then on as he was also interesting other overseas clubs including one in Norway.
However, all that took a back seat when he signed for Blackpool where his aim was to make the number one jersey his own. He was excited at the prospect of joining the Seasiders and he commented, "It gets frustrating when you are the reserve goalie. You seem to spend all your time travelling with the team but never really feel a part of the set-up. But hopefully I will be number one choice here and prove myself."
Blackpool manager Sam Allardyce was very pleased with his signing and he commented on Carter's arrival, "I am delighted Tim is joining us. He has vast experience and is just the sort of player we need for the goalkeeper position. The fact that Lee Martin turned down our final offer increased the need for me to bring in a 'keeper but we needed experienced cover in that vital position anyway. Mel Capleton is our other main 'keeper but his experience is limited. Tim is signing a three-month deal to start with and we will see how he goes but he is a crucial signing as we build for the new season."
|
A 1995/96 pre-season squad photograph showing Tim Carter in the centre of the three goalkeepers, Lee Martin on his right and Mel Capleton on his left.
He was Blackpool's first choice goalkeeper starting the 1995/96 pre-season and he made his first appearance for the club in a pre-season friendly game against Chorley on 22 July 1995 when he suffered a groin injury and had to be substituted before the end as Blackpool won 2-0. The injury caused him to miss a few pre-season friendly games before he returned to action against Leek Town on 3 August 1995. Unfortunately he did not complete the game as he suffered a recurrence of his groin injury as Blackpool won 1-0.
Sam Allardyce was undeterred and he was expecting him to be part of the first-team squad when he recovered because, on the very eve of the season, he announced "With Lee [Martin] suspended and Tim injured, it means Mel [Capleton] is our only available 'keeper for Saturday but he has done well for us pre-season and I have every confidence in him." However, Allardyce's longer-term plans were scuppered when Carter surprisingly announced on 10 August 1995 that he was leaving Blackpool. An amazed Allardyce commented, "He has only played part of two pre-season games for us because of an injury and I thought he, Lee Martin and Mel Capleton are all similar types of 'keeper." So he left Bloomfield Road having played in just two pre-season friendly games for Blackpool.
He went on to join Oxford United with a one-year contract on 11 August 1995 and he played 12 League games for the club before he was transferred to Millwall in December 1995. In his second spell at Millwall he played 62 League games before he was on the move once again with a transfer to Halifax Town in July 1998. He played nine League games and made one substitute appearance for Halifax before he finished his League career after the 1998/99 season.
He became the goalkeeping coach at Sunderland but when Roy Keane took over he brought in a new Dutch goalkeeping coach and Carter joined the Sunderland Academy coaching staff.
He went on to join Oxford United with a one-year contract on 11 August 1995 and he played 12 League games for the club before he was transferred to Millwall in December 1995. In his second spell at Millwall he played 62 League games before he was on the move once again with a transfer to Halifax Town in July 1998. He played nine League games and made one substitute appearance for Halifax before he finished his League career after the 1998/99 season.
He became the goalkeeping coach at Sunderland but when Roy Keane took over he brought in a new Dutch goalkeeping coach and Carter joined the Sunderland Academy coaching staff.