Arguably one of the most promising players to ever progress from Morecambe's youth academy, Danny Carlton was tipped to achieve big things in his early days as a Shrimps player.
After initially breaking into the first team at the age of 18, Carlton went from strength to strength and impressed many who saw him play.
His first goal for the club came on the 3rd of April away at Telford United where an understrength side went down 4-1, three days before the Shrimps FA Trophy semi final match with Stevenage Borough.
During the 2002/2003 season he found himself as the second choice striker at the club behind Wayne Curtis who finished the season on 18 goals. Carlton also chipped in with his fair share with 8 league goals and 2 in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy.
Jim Harvey's faith in the young striker was proven when he allowed fan favourite Robbie Talbot to leave for Burton Albion in the Summer which left Danny Carlton and Wayne Curtis as the only senior strikers at the club going into the 2003/2004 season.
Although Curtis started the season as first choice striker he quickly lost his place to Carlton whose impressive performances left Jim Harvey with no choice but to drop Curtis in favour of the 19 year old.
Carlton's performances saw him earn a sponsorship contract with Umbro shortly before his 20th birthday and he signed a new three year deal with the club at the end of the season. Carlton finished that season as the clubs leading scorer with 17 Conference goals which saw him earn a call up to the England National Game squad where he represented his country against Iraq.
Danny's progress continued in the 2004/2005 season, this time playing alongside the prolific Michael Twiss. Carlton grabbed 14 goals in all competitions to enhance his reputation as one of the top young strikers outside the Football League.
The 2005/2006 season saw Carlton continue to improve, finishing the season as the clubs leading scorer with 18 goals including 10 goals in the last 8 games of the regular season. This run of form caught the attention of Blackpool who made a bid for Carlton towards the end of the season. Carlton was set to move to Blackpool until the deal fell through at the last minute due to Morecambe being unable to find a suitable replacement.
Despite rumoured interest again from Blackpool in the Summer he remained at Christie Park.
Carlton scored 8 goals in the 2006/2007 season in a year which saw him spend almost four months out injured. He also scored the winning goal in the playoff final at Wembley which won Morecambe's goal of the season award.
Despite Morecambe wanting to keep hold of the striker he decided to sign for League One side Carlisle United in June 2008. As Carlton was under contract but under the age of 24 the fee would be set via tribunal.
Upon his departure Carlton said the following: “I have a lot to thank Morecambe for. They gave me a chance and were wonderful to me. People like Jim Harvey and Sammy McIllroy have helped me no end and it was a huge decision to leave.
"But I have to think of my own career and, like most footballers, I want to play at the highest level I can. I hope to get my chance at Carlisle and prove myself.’’
He added: “I will be sorry to leave such wonderful fans behind me. Last year was quite a tough year for me with injuries but the majority of the fans were great and I hope I repaid them with the Wembley goal.’’
Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy said: “We are sorry to see Danny go and he was part of our plans and we did all we could to keep him. But he wanted to play at a higher level and we all understand that.“
Vice Chairman Graham Hodgson said: “There had been interest from Carlisle, Rochdale and Darlington but we made it clear that we wanted to keep Danny. We made him an offer but his agent wanted to speak to the other clubs as he is entitled to do and Danny has decided on Carlisle.’’
Hodgson thanked Carlton for his efforts with the Shrimps saying: “Danny has been with us since he was 16 and been an asset to the club. As well as being a good goalscorer on the field he has taken his off field responsibilities very seriously and been a good ambassador for the club.
picture courtesy of the Visitor |
