Trevor Carson (born 5 March 1988) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Born in Killyleagh, Northern Ireland, Carson started his youth career with Killyleagh Boys before moving to Sunderland in 2004. He signed his first professional contract with Sunderland in 2006 before several loan spells at Chesterfield, Lincoln City, Brentford, Bury and Hull City. He was released by Sunderland in 2012, re-joining Bury permanently. After two seasons with Bury, as well as a loan spell with Portsmouth, Carson signed for Cheltenham Town. Carson suffered relegation with Cheltenham despite winning the Player of the Year award. Subsequently, Carson would have a successful two seasons with Hartlepool United. He won the club's Player of the Year award with Hartlepool in his first season but was relegated in his second season. In 2017, Carson moved to Scotland, signing for Motherwell for an undisclosed fee. He spent four seasons with Motherwell, before shorter spells with Dundee United, Morecambe and St Mirren. In 2023, Carson joined Dundee on a three-year deal spent the last year on loan with Ross County. He signed on as a player-coach for Queen of the South but retired shortly after due to recurring injuries.
Carson has represented Northern Ireland at senior and youth level. He received his first senior call up in 2010, but made his Northern Ireland debut in 2018. In total, he has been capped 8 times for the national side.
Club career Sunderland Born in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, Carson began his football career at Killyleagh Boys before he joined Sunderland in 2004. He then progressed the ranks at the club's youth system. Carson then became a backup to fellow teenager Ben Alnwick for the final three games of the campaign. As a result, he signed professional terms with Sunderland and then signed a one–year contract extension the following year.
Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Carson made his Sunderland debut on 16 July 2006 in a friendly match, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute, in a 2–0 win against Rotherham United. He continued to remain as the club's backup goalkeeper behind Alnwick and then Darren Ward. At one point, Carson missed one match, due to family bereavement.
He made his debut for Sunderland on 16 July, against Darlington in a 4–0 win. Later that year, with Craig Gordon out through injury, manager Steve Bruce urged Carson to push Márton Fülöp for the No.1 spot in the squad. He signed a new contract with Sunderland on 22 October 2009 which would keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2012. Throughout his Sunderland career, Carson continuously remained as the club's backup goalkeeper.
However, in the 2010–11 season, Carson suffered a shoulder injury during Sunderland's pre–season tour and saw him sidelined for several months. After showing promise at Sunderland, he was released by the Premier League club on 19 May 2012.
Loan spells from Sunderland On 14 August 2008, Carson joined Chesterfield on a season-long loan deal. He made his professional début in a 1–0 victory against Grimsby Town keeping a clean sheet on 23 August 2008. Since making his debut for the club, Carson quickly established himself in the starting eleven, becoming Chesterfield's first choice goalkeeper. This lasted until he was dropped in favour of Tommy Lee. As a result, Carson was recalled by Sunderland early in January 2009 after a shortage of keepers due to injuries.
Carson was loaned out to Lincoln City on 20 January 2011 until the end of the season. Two days later on 22 January 2011, he made his debut for the club against Stockport County in a 4–3 win. Since joining Lincoln City, Carson quickly established himself in the first team as the club's first choice goalkeeper. As a result, he had loan spell with the club extended until on 23 April 2011. This lasted until Carson was recalled by his parent club, in which he said it was a risky move.
It was announced on 24 March 2011 that Carson joined Brentford on loan until the rest of the 2010–11 season. He made his only appearances for the club, coming against Sheffield Wednesday five days later on 29 March 2011. However, Carson suffered a knee injury that saw him out for the remaining Brentford's matches. He was then recalled by the club on 21 April 2011.
It was announced on 12 September 2011 that Carson was loaned out to Bury on a two-month loan deal. The following day, he made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Chesterfield. Since joining Bury, Carson quickly established as the club's first choice goalkeeper. However, on 3 November 2011, Carson was recalled by his parent club, in which he made eight appearances in all competitions for the side.
It wasn't until on 13 January 2012 when Carson was loaned out again to Hull City for a month. However, he never made an appearance for the club, appearing as an unused substitute before returning to his parent club a month later.
Shortly after leaving Hull City, Carson was loaned out to Bury on a month loan. He made his second debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Leyton Orient on 25 February 2012. Since joining Bury for the second time, Carson continued to regain his first choice goalkeeper role until he left the club on 1 April 2012. By the time Carson left Bury, he made 17 appearances over two loan spells either side of his time at Hull.
Bury On 22 May 2012 it was announced that Bury had completed the signing of Carson on a two-year contract after impressing on loan. Upon joining the club, he was given a number one shirt for the side.
Carson's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 11 August 2012, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 loss against Middlesbrough in the first round of the League Cup. Since joining Bury, he quickly established as the club's first choice goalkeeper. Carson then captained Bury for the first time in his career, as the club drew 2–2 against Coventry City on 25 August 2012. He helped the club keep two consecutive clean sheets in two matches between 26 January 2013 and 2 February 2013 against Shrewsbury Town and Doncaster Rovers. However, Carson suffered a hand injury but continued to start in goal with a fractured hand, in a 2–2 draw against Brentford on 9 February 2013. In late–March, Manager Kevin Blackwell dropped him in favour of Cameron Belford. To make matters, Carson suffered injuries that saw him sidelined for the rest of the season. Bury was later relegated to the fourth tier (EFL League Two). In his first season at Gigg Lane, he made forty–five appearances in all competitions (thirty–nine were league appearances).
At the start of the 2013–14 season, Carson lost his first choice goalkeeper role after Manager Blackwell signed Brian Jensen, Rob Lainton and Reice Charles-Cook. Having appeared on the substitute bench, he made his first appearance of the season, starting the whole game, in a 4–1 win against Cheltenham Town on 31 August 2013. As a result, Carson was told by Blackwell that he can leave the club. By the time Carson was loaned out, he made a total of five appearances for the side. At the end of the 2013–14 season, Carson was released by Bury on 30 April 2014.
Portsmouth (loan) On 3 October 2013, Carson joined Portsmouth in a three-month loan deal.
He made his debut for the club in a league match against Rochdale kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory. After the match, he was happy to make his Portsmouth debut by having a win and a clean sheet. Since making his debut for the club, he established himself as number one ahead of John Sullivan and Phil Smith. Carson set himself up to be signed up permanently in January 2014, when he outlined that he was keen to stay at the South Coast club. Carson helped Portsmouth keep two consecutive clean sheets between 26 December 2013 and 29 December 2013 against Dagenham & Redbridge and Northampton Town. Shortly, he had his loan spell with the club extended until the end of the season. Carson, once again, helped Portsmouth keep four consecutive clean sheets between 25 February 2014 and 11 March 2014. Having previously did not play against his parent club, Bury, Carson eventually started in goal against the club, as Portsmouth drew 4–4 on 26 April 2014. At the end of the 2013–14 season, he went on to make thirty–nine appearances in all competitions.
Following this, Carson returned to Bury when the season was concluded. Once he was released by Bury, there were speculation on whether Portsmouth would make a move to sign him on a permanent basis. However, the club did not make an effort to sign Carson, as Manager Andy Awford opted to sign Paul Jones and Michael Poke instead. Two years after leaving Portsmouth, he spoke about his fondness on the club.
Cheltenham Town On 30 June 2014, Carson joined Cheltenham Town on a free transfer after his release from Bury. Upon the club, he was given a number one shirt.
Carson made his Cheltenham Town debut, starting the whole game, against Bury, and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win. After the match, he was named Football League's Team of the Week. In a follow–up match against Brighton & Hove Albion in the first round of the League Cup, Carson captained the club for the first time in his career, as they lost 2–0. In a match against Accrington Stanley, Carson played an important role when he set up a goal for Koby Arthur, who scored a winning goal, in a 2–1 win. His performance, along with his five clean sheets, earned him August's Player of the Month but lost out to Matt Tubbs. He, once again, captained Cheltenham Town on two occasions, coming against Cambridge United on 21 October 2014 and then against Swindon Town on 8 November 2014. However, Carson was unable to help the club avoid relegation to the National League following a 1–0 loss against Shrewsbury Town on 25 April 2015. At the end of the 2014–15 season, he went on to make fifty–one appearances in all competitions.
For his performance, Carson was awarded the club's Player of the Year.
Hartlepool United On 15 June 2015, Carson signed for Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee. Upon joining the club, he was given a number one shirt. Carson later said his move to Hartlepool United was to be closer to his family.
He was initially expected to be the club's first choice goalkeeper ahead of new signing, Adam Bartlett but suffered a toe injury while training and was sidelined for months. By October, Carson made a return to the substitute bench for a match against Luton Town. It wasn't until on 17 October 2015 when he made his Hartlepool United debut, starting the whole game and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge. Since making his debut for the club, Carson quickly became a first choice goalkeeper, dispatching a place from Bartlett. His performances earned him praise from Manager Ronnie Moore. He then helped Hartlepool United keep four consecutive clean sheets between 15 March 2016 and 28 March 2016. On 16 April 2016, Carson signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2019. He later helped Hartlepool United finish sixteenth place in the league. Despite being sidelined at the start of the season, Carson was awarded Hartlepool United's Player of the Year and Hartlepool Mail Player of the Year. He was also awarded The Northern Echo's North-East Team of the Season. At the end of the 2015–16 season, Carson went on to make thirty–eight appearances in all competitions.