David George Carlton (born 24 November 1952) is an English retired professional footballer who made 320 appearances as a midfielder in the Football League, most notably for Northampton Town and Brentford.
Playing career
Early years Carlton began his career as an apprentice at West Ham United and moved to Fulham in 1969. He made his debut during the 1971–72 Second Division season and made eight appearances in total. After a loan spell at North American Soccer League club Dallas Tornado in 1972, Carlton returned to Fulham, but made just one further appearance before his departure in October 1973.
Northampton Town Carlton signed for Fourth Division club Northampton Town in October 1973. He made just six league appearances in what remained of 1973–74, but became a regular pick from the beginning of the 1974–75 season and helped the Cobblers to promotion to the Third Division a year later. Northampton Town were relegated straight back to the Fourth Division and Carlton departed the club early in the 1976–77 season. He made 104 league appearances and scored six goals during nearly three years at the County Ground.
Brentford Carlton reunited with his former Fulham and Northampton Town manager Bill Dodgin at Fourth Division club Brentford in October 1976 and signed for a £3,000 fee. He helped the Bees to promotion to the Third Division in the 1977–78 season and unlike with Northampton, the club consolidated its position at the higher level. Carlton departed Griffin Park at the end of the 1979–80 season and made 148 appearances and scored seven goals during nearly four years with the Bees.
Return to Northampton Town In September 1980, Carlton dropped back to the Fourth Division, when he followed Bill Dodgin back to Northampton Town. He made 76 league appearances before departing in 1982.
Wealdstone Carlton ended his career with a spell at Alliance Premier League club Wealdstone.
Personal life After retiring from football, Carlton settled in Little Billing and began a business selling golf equipment.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFulham1971–72Second Division8000201001972–7310000010Total900020110Dallas Tornado (loan)1972North American Soccer League91——91Brentford1976–77Fourth Division32020—3401977–7833300003331978–79Third Division37210204021979–803821020412Total140740401487Career total149740601597
Honours Northampton Town
Football League Fourth Division second-place promotion: 1975–76
Brentford
Football League Fourth Division fourth-place promotion: 1977–78
References