Trevor Carson

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,…

Youth career

Carson represented Northern Ireland up to the U21 levels and was first called up for the Northern Ireland U17 in 2004. He later played eight times for the U17 side, including the UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Carson was then called up for the Northern Ireland U18, Northern Ireland U19 and Northern Ireland U20. In November 2006, Carson was called up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad for the first time. He was then called up to the U21 squad for the next three years. Carson played two games in two days when appearing for Northern Ireland U21s in Wuppertal, Germany on 5 September 2008, with his side losing 3–0, before making a dash back to Chesterfield to play in a 1–0 win over Rotherham United. Carson then represented Northern Ireland B in a 3–0 defeat against Scotland B in May 2009.

Senior career

In February 2010, Carson was called up to the Northern Ireland and appeared as unused substitute against Albania on 3 March 2010. The next eight years saw him being called up to the national team, only to appear as an unused substitute and injuries concern prevented the player from making his debut. In January 2013 he was called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for their game with Malta, but was forced to withdraw with a broken finger. In May 2015 he was called up again for a friendly against Romania. Due to his performance at Hartlepool United, it was reported that Carson was considered to be in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2016. However, he…

As of match played 1 May 2026

Carson is engaged to Rachel. In November 2012, he became a first time father when his daughter was born from a previous relationship. In July 2018, Carson then became a second time father. Carson comes from a family of seven. He has four brothers and two sisters and revealed that his grandad and his father, who both had been goalkeepers themselves, were a major influence on him becoming a goalkeeper. In June 2016, Carson set up an online charity appeal by taking part in the Warrior Beach Assault 10k obstacle course in Whitley Bay for his sister in law, Melanie Hartshorn, who is suffering from a rare condition known as Ehlors Danlos Syndrome. In November 2018, Carson was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis after doctors had initially told him they were "90% sure" that he had cancer. In June 2020, Carson revealed that he battled mental health issues for three years since leaving Hartlepool United. In May 2023, Carson admitted to having a gambling addiction in the past.