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The old cliche about veteran players is that they've seen everything during their career. For 43-year-old Dungannon Swifts goalkeeper Roy Carroll, that adage holds true — but it doesn't even begin to encompass the struggles of a shot-stopper that has played professionally in four different decades.
Now, a new club in 2021 could be the fitting final act for a player who is still competing well-beyond the prescribed shelf-life of a footballer.
If you haven’t already heard... Roy Carroll is a #Swift
— Dungannon Swifts FC (@DgnSwifts) January 30, 2021
After spending his younger days at Fivemiletown United and Ballinamallard United, Carroll began his professional career centuries ago in 1996 with Hull City, back when cars had tape decks and football boots could be described as "heavy" and "heavier."
A year later, Carroll moved to Wigan Athletic for a then-record fee of nearly $600,000. During his first season at Wigan he gained his first of 45 international caps for Northern Ireland.
After four successful seasons with the Latics, Carroll joined Premier League titans Manchester United in 2001 for $3.3 million. The Northern Irishman competed with French World Cup winner Fabian Barthez as well as a young Tim Howard for the starting goalkeeper spot during his time as a Red Devil.
Carroll finally earned the number one jersey in his fourth season in 2004-05 and collected 15 clean sheets (second only to Petr Čech).
United under the cosh
That Roy Carroll save
Lehmann no chance
Villa Park acoustics
Motty immersedFootball. You miss it. You really, really miss it. #GKUnion pic.twitter.com/xjbEKEcyCx— The Goalkeepers' Union Podcast (@GKUnion) January 12, 2021
But one blunder overshadowed what could have been his breakthrough season.
With United and Tottenham locked in the 89th minute of a scoreless game, Spurs midfielder Pedro Mendes tried a speculative shot after Carroll cleared the ball to the half-way line. The keeper backtracked and caught the ball, only to seemingly fumble it over the goalline. The assistant referee allowed play to continue, but the blunder has unfortunately defined Carroll's career.
Spurs host #MUFC this weekend, almost exactly 14 years on since Roy Carroll got away with this one. Top work, lino. #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/g4WoJC8eOO
— The Goalkeepers' Union Podcast (@GKUnion) January 10, 2019
Carroll was released at the end of that season and has since been something of a footballing nomad. Carroll has played for West Ham, Rangers, Derby County, Odense Boldklub in Denmark, OFI Crete and Olympiacos in the Greek Super League, Notts County and Linfield FC, rarely lasting more than a few seasons at any club.
He also spent one match as a caretaker manager for Barnet in 2011, where he was on trial as a player-coach. With the manager fired and the caretaker manager still away on a scouting trip, Carroll led his side to victory in the Herts Senior Cup against Stevenage, earning him a trophy in his only match as a manager.
The Northern Irishman returned home to play for Linfield FC in 2016, where he was first choice keeper until suffering a serious knee injury in 2019. Carroll left the club for what Transfermarkt described as a "career break," although it was always his intention to continue his footballing career.
Carroll went nearly two years without playing a match, and in September of 2020, Carroll teamed up with former international teammate Keith Gillespie to play with FC Mindwell of The Mid-Ulster Football League, the fifth tier of Northern Irish football.
"I was playing in the lowest league in Mid-Ulster and if anybody knows me, I hate losing," Carroll remarked. "That's the passion I have. I'm a winner and I want to win every game that I play."
The keeper enjoyed being a leader for the young players at Mindwell but was still controlled by his desire to return to top-flight football.
"I can't wait to get back out playing again," Carroll said. "Football is in my blood. It's all about enjoying it. That's the way I'm going to look at it until the end of the season."
Always remember to get in a pre-match stretch, kids. FC Mindwell | Twitter
One of the main reasons Carroll joined Mindwell was the club's mission to raise awareness about the mental health of men, something Carroll has struggled with in his career.
Carroll battled depression and alcoholism throughout his career, but is now using his experience to help others.
"The drink had taken over my life, I didn't care about anybody," Carroll said. "Things were piling up and all I was worried about was when my next drink would be. I'd lost my wife and kids because I had to move out of the family home."
The veteran keeper now advocates for more open discussions of mental health and encourages players to seek out help when they're experiencing difficulties in their lives.
"I was 27 years old when I was an alcoholic and I never spoke to anybody," Carroll continued. "I think young players and senior players need to speak out when they are playing, and managers and coaches need to give them a second chance in life. My phone is on 24/7 if anybody wants to speak to me at any time, because I've been through it"
"I've been off the drink now for eight years and I would talk to anyone. If they open up to me I can help them out."
After four months at Mindwall, Carroll was ready to return to football full-time, and the 43-year-old joined Dungannon Swifts of the Irish Premiership, the first tier of Northern Irish football.
Carroll enjoys his role at Dungannon both as a player and as a positive veteran influence on the younger members of the squad.
"I was watching football on TV the other day and I said to myself I want to get back playing again," Carroll said. "I want to get out at the weekends and enjoy the games and that's what I want to do. I want to try and bring my knowledge to the young players at Dungannon."
He also joined the U-17 and U-19 coaching staff of the Northern Ireland national team.
Now where have we seen this before?!
Shades of @ManUtd & @NorthernIreland at the Ballymena Showgrounds from Roy Carroll!Live https://t.co/3u9vza9NEA@BBCSport | @BBCMOTD | #BBCIrishPrem pic.twitter.com/n3MKpT3lUh
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) February 2, 2021
The keeper had a strong start at Dungannon, recording a shutout on the road against Ballymena, but the club has since lost five of six matches and fallen to last place.
But for a man who has already experienced the lowest lows a footballer can go through — and made it through to the other side — Carroll is just glad to still be lacing up his boots.. A little relegation battle is nothing.
