darren carter

Darren Carter Main Interview

The name Darren Carter is synonymous with Blues fans and barely a week can pass without his promotion-winning penalty finding its way onto one of your social media news feeds.

But after several years in the academy and 49 senior appearances with Blues, a loan spell with Sunderland and a permanent switch across the Midlands to West Bromwich Albion, the midfielder enjoyed a fruitful five-year period with today’s opponents.

At Preston North End, he made over a century of appearances before turning out for a further five Clubs to date, including Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors.

Now back in the Second City, working in the coaching and media arenas at present, Blues News thought who better to speak with ahead of this afternoon’s clash than a man who represented both clubs with distinction.

Thanks for catching up with us Carts - what are your earliest Blues memories? My first game as a fan was in the 1988/89 season. I went into the academy as a 12-year-old, came back at 14 and stayed until I left at 21 - that was my football upbringing. Blues was all I knew as a fan and a player. I had so many great moments playing for the club and representing my team, I have got such fond memories from my time there. The support I got was absolutely fantastic. Do you remember your first senior goal for Blues? I remember it well! It was against Crewe Alexandra back in April 2002. I scored with my right foot which is why I recall it so vividly! We won 3-1 and I ran straight towards my family and friends in the Main Stand to celebrate when I put it past the keeper - I’ll never forget that moment.

20 years on from the Play-Off final, how do you recall the shootout? I remember the day more clearly than the actual penalty! Every Blues fan was there early and you could just feel something good was going to happen that day. As soon as we equalised in extra time I had a real feeling of positivity that we were going to win it. After scoring the penalty it is all a bit of a blur. It was madness, chaos almost, but absolutely fantastic. You moved to Preston in the summer of 2007 - did you enjoy your time there? I loved it! There were certainly highs and lows, as a team, we had play-off runs and battles with relegation but I made a lot of friends. It was the first time I’d relocated from Birmingham too - I lived in Lytham St Annes and, again, there were lovely people there. It is a special club with lots of history and you feel that when you play for them.

Did you strike any comparisons with the supporters of both Preston and Blues? Living in the north and especially Preston as a place and a community, like at Blues and in Birmingham, the people expect hard work and humility. Anyone who came through the doors at Deepdale and was perhaps too flashy or didn’t have the right attitude was quickly told about it. The same as Blues - you know to give your best - both sets of supporters would really appreciate that, whatever happened on the pitch.

And just finally, you’re part of a new project at one of your former clubs at the moment - what is keeping you busy? I am currently with West Brom’s Women’s team, where I’m doing some work as a First Team coach. It has been great to be out on the grass developing and learning as I do my A license course - it lines up really nicely with that. I see coaching as the next stage of my career and life. I am loving it and am excited by the opportunity.

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