Trevor Carson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Trevor Carson

Carson training with Dundee in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Trevor Carson
Date of birth	(1988-03-05) 5 March 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth	Killyleagh, Northern Ireland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Dundee
Number	31
Youth career
	Killyleagh Boys
2004–2007	Sunderland
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2007–2012	Sunderland	0	(0)
2008–2009	→ Chesterfield (loan)	18	(0)
2011	→ Lincoln City (loan)	16	(0)
2011	→ Brentford (loan)	1	(0)
2011	→ Bury (loan)	8	(0)
2012	→ Hull City (loan)	0	(0)
2012	→ Bury (loan)	9	(0)
2012–2014	Bury	44	(0)
2013–2014	→ Portsmouth (loan)	37	(0)
2014–2015	Cheltenham Town	46	(0)
2015–2017	Hartlepool United	57	(0)
2017–2021	Motherwell	57	(0)
2021–2022	Dundee United	4	(0)
2022	→ Morecambe (loan)	21	(0)
2022–2023	St Mirren	37	(0)
2023–	Dundee	35	(0)
National team‡
	Northern Ireland U17	8	(0)
	Northern Ireland U18	2	(0)
	Northern Ireland U19	9	(0)
	Northern Ireland U20	2	(0)
2006–2009	Northern Ireland U21	15	(0)
2009	Northern Ireland B	1	(0)
2018–	Northern Ireland	8	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:00, 14 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:55, 21 March 2022 (UTC)

Trevor Carson (born 5 March 1988) is a professional footballer from Northern Ireland. He plays as a goalkeeper for the Scottish club Dundee.

Trevor started his youth career at Killyleagh Boys. He then moved to Sunderland in 2004. He signed his first professional contract with Sunderland in 2006. After that, he went on several loan spells to different clubs. These included Chesterfield, Lincoln City, Brentford, Bury, and Hull City.

Sunderland released him in 2012. He then joined Bury permanently. After two seasons with Bury, and a loan to Portsmouth, Carson signed for Cheltenham Town. He later played for Hartlepool United. In 2017, Carson moved to Scotland. He signed for Motherwell. He spent four seasons there. After that, he had shorter spells with Dundee United, Morecambe, and St Mirren. Since 2023, Carson has played for Dundee.

Carson has played for Northern Ireland at both youth and senior levels. He first got called up to the senior team in 2010. His debut for Northern Ireland was in 2018. He has played 8 times for his national team.

Trevor Carson's Club Career

Starting at Sunderland

Trevor Carson began his football journey at Killyleagh Boys. He joined Sunderland in 2004. He moved up through the club's youth system. Carson became a backup goalkeeper for the last three games of the 2004–05 season. Because of this, he signed a professional contract with Sunderland. He extended this contract the next year.

In 2006, Carson played his first friendly match for Sunderland. He came on as a substitute in a 2–0 win against Rotherham United. He continued to be a backup goalkeeper. In 2009, he signed a new contract. This kept him at the Stadium of Light until 2012. He remained a backup goalkeeper during his time at Sunderland.

In the 2010–11 season, Carson had a shoulder injury. This kept him out of play for several months. Sunderland released him on 19 May 2012.

Loan Spells from Sunderland

In August 2008, Carson joined Chesterfield on loan. He made his professional debut on 23 August 2008. It was a 1–0 win against Grimsby Town. He kept a clean sheet. Carson became Chesterfield's first-choice goalkeeper. Sunderland recalled him early in January 2009 due to injuries to their own keepers.

Carson went on loan to Lincoln City in January 2011. He debuted on 22 January 2011 in a 4–3 win. He became the first-choice goalkeeper there. His loan was extended until April 2011.

In March 2011, Carson joined Brentford on loan. He played one game for them. He then suffered a knee injury. This kept him out of their remaining matches. He was recalled by Sunderland in April 2011.

In September 2011, Carson was loaned to Bury. He debuted the next day in a 1–0 loss. He quickly became Bury's first-choice goalkeeper. Sunderland recalled him in November 2011. He had made eight appearances.

In January 2012, Carson was loaned to Hull City. He did not play any games for them. He returned to Sunderland a month later.

Soon after, Carson was loaned to Bury again. He made his second debut for Bury in a 1–1 draw. He regained his first-choice goalkeeper role. He left Bury in April 2012. He had played 17 games across his two loan spells there.

Playing for Bury

On 22 May 2012, Bury signed Carson permanently. He signed a two-year contract. He was given the number one shirt.

Carson's first game for Bury was on 11 August 2012. It was a 2–1 loss against Middlesbrough. He quickly became Bury's first-choice goalkeeper. He even captained Bury for the first time in August 2012. He helped the team keep two clean sheets in a row in January and February 2013. Carson suffered a hand injury but kept playing. Bury was relegated to the fourth tier. He played 45 games in his first season.

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Carson lost his first-choice spot. He made five appearances before being loaned out. Bury released him on 30 April 2014.

Loan to Portsmouth

On 3 October 2013, Carson joined Portsmouth on a three-month loan.

He debuted for Portsmouth in a 3–0 win against Rochdale. He kept a clean sheet. He became the number one goalkeeper there. Carson helped Portsmouth keep two clean sheets in late December 2013. His loan was extended until the end of the season. He helped Portsmouth keep four clean sheets in a row in February and March 2014. He played 39 games for Portsmouth.

After the season, Carson returned to Bury. Portsmouth did not sign him permanently.

Time at Cheltenham Town

On 30 June 2014, Carson joined Cheltenham Town. He was given the number one shirt.

Carson debuted for Cheltenham Town against his old club, Bury. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. He was named in the Football League's Team of the Week. He captained Cheltenham Town for the first time in a League Cup match. He helped set up a winning goal in a game against Accrington Stanley. His good performances earned him a nomination for Player of the Month. Cheltenham Town was relegated to the National League. Carson played 51 games that season.

He was awarded the club's Player of the Year for his efforts.

Playing for Hartlepool United

On 15 June 2015, Carson signed for Hartlepool United. He was given the number one shirt. He wanted to be closer to his family.

He was expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper. However, he suffered a toe injury in training. He returned to play in October 2015. He debuted for Hartlepool United on 17 October 2015. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. He quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper. He helped the team keep four clean sheets in a row in March 2016. On 16 April 2016, Carson signed a contract extension until 2019. He was named Hartlepool United's Player of the Year. He played 38 games that season.

In the 2016–17 season, Carson remained first-choice. He missed two games for international duty. In November 2016, he got injured during a game. He recovered quickly and returned to play. He suffered a shoulder injury later that season. This kept him out for the rest of the season. He returned for the last two games. Hartlepool United was relegated to League Two. He played 25 games that season.

It was expected that Carson would leave Hartlepool United after their relegation.

Moving to Motherwell

On 6 June 2017, Carson joined Motherwell on a three-year contract. He was given the number '1' shirt.

Carson debuted for Motherwell in a 2–1 loss against Rangers. In the next game, he was sent off. After his suspension, he returned as Motherwell's first-choice goalkeeper. He helped the team reach the 2017 Scottish League Cup final. Motherwell lost 2–0 to Celtic. He had a knee injury in December but returned quickly. He helped Motherwell reach the 2018 Scottish Cup final. They lost 2–0 to Celtic again. He played 46 games that season and kept 18 clean sheets.

In the 2018–19 season, Carson remained first-choice. He suffered an ankle injury in September 2018. He returned to play days later. In November 2018, he developed a serious health condition in his shoulder and lung. This meant he became the second-choice goalkeeper. He returned to fitness in May 2019. He played 17 games that season.

In January 2020, Carson signed a new contract until 2022. He remained a backup goalkeeper. The 2019–20 season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Motherwell finished third.

In summer 2020, Carson became the starting goalkeeper again. He played his first game in 20 months in August 2020. He was also named the club's vice-captain. He played in a 2020–21 UEFA Europa League match. He saved three penalties in a shootout, helping Motherwell win. In October 2020, he had a knee injury that needed surgery. He had kept four clean sheets before this injury.

Later Career Moves

Dundee United signed Carson on 8 July 2021. He signed a two-year contract.

Loan to Morecambe

On 5 January 2022, Carson joined Morecambe on loan. He reunited with his former boss, Stephen Robinson. He stayed there for the rest of the season.

Playing for St Mirren

On 25 May 2022, Carson joined St Mirren. He signed a two-year deal. In March 2023, he extended his contract until 2025.

Joining Dundee

On 2 August 2023, Dundee signed Carson on a three-year deal. Carson debuted for Dundee against his former club, St Mirren.

In his second season, he was out injured. He lost his starting spot but later regained it. Dundee's manager rotates him and another goalkeeper. In January 2025, Carson had a great performance. He kept a clean sheet in a Scottish Cup win against Dundee United. This was Dundee's first clean sheet derby win in over 20 years. He earned a spot in the SPFL's Team of the Week.

International Career

Youth Teams

Carson played for Northern Ireland at different youth levels. He was first called up for the Northern Ireland U17 in 2004. He played eight times for the U17 team. He also played in the 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Carson was also called up for the U18, U19, and U20 teams.

In November 2006, Carson joined the Northern Ireland U21 squad. He played for the U21 team for the next three years. In September 2008, he played two games in two days. He played for the U21s in Germany. Then he rushed back to play for Chesterfield.

Carson also played for the Northern Ireland B team in May 2009.

Senior National Team

In February 2010, Carson was called up to the Northern Ireland senior team. He was an unused substitute in a match. For eight years, he was called up but did not play. This was due to being a backup or injuries.

In January 2013, he was called up again but had to withdraw due to a broken finger. In May 2015, he was called up for a friendly match. He was considered for the UEFA Euro 2016 squad. However, he did not make the final team.

Carson finally made his international debut on 24 March 2018. It was against South Korea. He played four times by the end of that year. He kept two clean sheets. After two years, Carson started in goal against Norway in October 2020.

Personal Life

Trevor Carson is engaged to Rachel. He became a father for the first time in November 2012. His daughter was born from a previous relationship. In July 2018, he became a father for the second time.

Carson comes from a large family. He has four brothers and two sisters. His grandad and father were both goalkeepers. They greatly influenced his decision to become a goalkeeper.

In June 2016, Carson helped raise money for his sister-in-law. She has a rare condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. In November 2018, Carson was diagnosed with a serious health condition. He had battled mental health issues for three years.

Career Statistics

Honours and Awards

Trevor Carson has won several awards and been part of teams that reached finals:

Brentford

• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2010–11 (This means his team came in second place)

Motherwell

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 2017–18
• Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2017–18

Individual Awards

• Cheltenham Town Supporters' Player of the Year: 2014–15 (Fans voted him the best player)
• Hartlepool United Players' Player of the Year: 2015–16 (His teammates voted him the best player)
• Hartlepool United Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Hartlepool United Community Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Motherwell Player of the Year: 2017–18
• Motherwell Players' Player of the Year: 2017–18
• Well Society Player of the Year: 2017–18