Craig Westcarr

Craig Naptali Westcarr (born 29 January 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Grantham Town.[2][3]

Craig Westcarr
Westcarr pictured during his time at Nottingham Forest
Personal information
Full name Craig Naptali Westcarr[1]
Date of birth (1985-01-29) 29 January 1985[1]
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Forward / Winger
Club information
Current team
 Newark
Youth career
1999–2001 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2005 Nottingham Forest 23 (1)
2004–2005 → Lincoln City (loan) 6 (1)
2005 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 4 (0)
2005–2006 Cambridge United 31 (8)
2006–2009 Kettering Town 102 (23)
2009–2011 Notts County 87 (21)
2011–2013 Chesterfield 53 (10)
2012 → Walsall (loan) 8 (0)
2013–2014 Walsall 59 (19)
2014–2015 Portsmouth 33 (6)
2015–2016 Mansfield Town 24 (3)
2016 → Southport (loan) 11 (2)
2016–2018 Alfreton Town 75 (24)
2018 Kettering Town 0 (0)
2018 Boston United 6 (0)
2018–2019 Matlock Town 20 (5)
2019–2020 Grantham Town 30 (11)
2020- Newark 0 (0)
National team
England U15
2000 England U16
2001 England U17
2002 England U18 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:46, 23 August 2018 (UTC)

He began his career at Nottingham Forest, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the club when he made his first team debut in October 2001 at the age of 16. He was loaned out to Lincoln City and Milton Keynes Dons in 2005, before he left the Football League to spend the 2005–06 season in the Conference with Cambridge United. He then spent three seasons with Kettering Town, helping the club to win the Conference North title in 2007–08. He signed with Notts County in May 2009, and helped the club to win the League Two title in 2009–10. He was sold on to Chesterfield in August 2011, and won the Football League Trophy with the club in 2012, scoring a goal in the final. He joined Walsall, initially on loan, in November 2012. He finished as the club's top-scorer in the 2013–14 campaign, but was released in May 2014. On 17 June 2014 Westcarr joined Portsmouth on a free transfer after leaving Walsall, penning a two-year contract.

He represented England at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-18 level.

Club career

Nottingham Forest

Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire,[1] Westcarr played for Nottingham Forest as a youth, and became the youngest player to ever play for the club, aged 16, when he came on for David Johnson 83 minutes into a 1–0 win over Burnley at the City Ground on 13 October 2001.[4] He made a further seven First Division appearances in the 2001–02 under the stewardship of Paul Hart.

He played 13 games in the 2002–03 campaign, scoring his first goal in senior football on 4 May, in a 2–2 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor.[5] However, he made only four appearances in the 2003–04 campaign, and dropped out of the first team picture under new manager Joe Kinnear.

He joined League Two club Lincoln City on loan in December 2004.[6] He scored on his debut for Keith Alexander's "Imps" on 1 January, the only goal of the game with Bury at Sincil Bank. He played five further games before returning to Nottingham at the end of the month. He spent April 2005 on loan at Danny Wilson's Milton Keynes Dons, failing to score in four substitute appearances during his time at Stadium mk. He was one of 12 players released by Forest in May 2005 after the club were relegated out of the Championship under Gary Megson.[7]

Cambridge United

Westcarr joined Conference National club Cambridge United on a short-term contract in September 2005 after impressing during a trial period.[8] He scored eight goals in 34 matches in the 2005–06 season as Rob Newman's "U's" posted a 12th-place finish. He chose to leave the Abbey Stadium in May 2006 after rejecting the offer of a permanent contract.[9]

Kettering Town

Westcarr signed with Conference North club Kettering Town in May 2006.[10] The "Poppies" finished the 2006–07 campaign in second place, but were denied promotion after losing to Farsley Celtic in the play-off semi-finals.

He was moved out to the wing by manager Mark Cooper for the 2007–08 season, and helped the club to win promotion as divisional champions. In May 2008 Kettering reported Conference Premier side Stevenage Borough to the Football Association and Conference for allegedly making an illegal approach to Westcarr.[11] He featured during pre-season for Stevenage, before he returned to Kettering for the start of the new campaign.[12]

Westcarr scored twice in the FA Cup Fourth Round against Premier League side Fulham as Kettering twice pulled level before losing 4–2.[13] He was named as the Conference North's Player of the Month for March 2008.[14] He ended the 2008–09 season with eight goals in 45 games, but was released by Kettering in May 2009.[15]

Notts County

Westcarr joined Ian McParland's League Two side Notts County in May 2009.[16] Off the pitch the club became unstable, as McParland was replaced by Hans Backe and then Steve Cotterill as an unknown investment company took control of the club. On the pitch Westcarr remained a mainstay as the club won promotion as league champions. He scored 11 goals in 50 games, including a hat-trick against Hereford United in a 5–0 win at Meadow Lane on 27 February.[17] He signed a new two-year deal with the "Magpies" in June 2010.[18]

He continued to be a key player for the club under three more different manager – Craig Short, Paul Ince and Martin Allen – in the 2010–11 season, scoring 12 goals in 41 League One games for County. On 8 January 2011, he scored the opening goal past Premier League side Sunderland in an FA Cup giant-killing victory at the Stadium of Light.[19]

Chesterfield

Westcarr signed a two-year contract with John Sheridan's Chesterfield in August 2011 after moving for an undisclosed fee (reported as £70,000).[20][21] He hit 11 goals in 43 appearances for the "Spireties" in the 2011–12 season as the club were relegated out of League One. Despite suffering in the league, the club found success in the Football League Trophy by beating Swindon Town 2–0 at Wembley Stadium; Westcarr replaced Jack Lester after 37 minutes and scored the second goal of the game deep into injury-time.[22]

He was transfer-listed by new manager Paul Cook in November 2012, along with Neal Trotman.[23] He scored three goals in 18 appearances in the first half of the 2012–13 season before he left the Proact Stadium after his contract was cancelled by mutual agreement in January 2013.[24]

Walsall

Westcarr joined League One club Walsall on a temporary loan deal in November 2012.[25] He signed a permanent deal with Walsall in January after he was released by Chesterfield.[26][27] He scored his first goal for the "Saddlers" at the Bescot Stadium in a 3–1 win against nearby Shrewsbury Town on 2 March.[28] He then continued his fine form by scoring a 30-yard thunderbolt against fellow play-off hopefuls Tranmere Rovers 10 days later,[29] which won the club's Goal of the Season award.[30] He signed a new one-year contract in July 2013.[31]

Westcarr started the 2013–14 season well in another game against Tranmere, bagging a brace and creating a goal in a 3–1 home victory over the Merseyside club.[32] He finished the season as the club's top-scorer with 17 goals in 48 appearances. However, he was released by manager Dean Smith in May 2014.[33] Smith later explained his decision of releasing Westcarr as for the best.[34]

Portsmouth

On 17 June 2014 Westcarr signed a two-year deal with League Two side Portsmouth.[35] Westcarr scored his first goal for Portsmouth on 19 August 2014 in a 2–0 league victory over Northampton at Fratton Park.[36]

International career

Westcarr won caps for the England under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-18s.[37] He played in the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship, where England finished fourth.

Career statistics
As of match played 16 December 2017[38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nottingham Forest 2001–02[39] First Division 8000000080
2002–03[40] First Division 111002000131
2003–04[41] First Division 3010000040
2004–05[42] Championship 100000—00
Nottingham Forest Total 231102000261
Lincoln City (loan) 2004–05[42] League Two 6100000061
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2004–05[42] League One 4000000040
Cambridge United 2005–06[43] Conference National 31800—3[lower-alpha 1]0348
Kettering Town 2006–07 Conference North ????—????
2007–08 Conference North ????—????
2008–09[44] Conference Premier 39454—1[lower-alpha 2]0458
Notts County 2009–10[45] League Two 42961101[lower-alpha 1]15011
2010–11[46] League One 411241301[lower-alpha 1]04913
2011–12[47] League One4000110051
Total 8721102512110425
Chesterfield 2011–12[47] League One 38810004[lower-alpha 1]34311
2012–13[48] League Two 15211101[lower-alpha 1]0183
Total 53102110536114
Walsall 2012–13[48] League One 245000000245
2013–14[49] League One 431422211[lower-alpha 1]04817
Total 67192221107222
Portsmouth 2014–15[50] League Two 33620101[lower-alpha 1]1377
Mansfield Town 2015–16[51] League Two 24310101[lower-alpha 1]1274
Southport (loan) 2015–16[51] National League 112——00112
Alfreton Town 2016–17[52] National League North 391333—2[lower-alpha 2]04416
2017–18[52] National League North 19900—00199
Total 58223300206325
Career totals 436972612122166490117
  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in the FA Trophy

Honours
Individual
  • Conference North Player of the Month: March 2008
Kettering Town
Notts County
Chesterfield

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 432. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. Craig Westcarr Makes The Move To The Gingerbreads, granthamtownfc.com, 5 June 2019
  3. England - C. Westcarr - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway
  4. "Former Nottingham Forest and Notts County forward Craig Westcarr on his roller-coaster career". Nottingham Post. 13 February 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  5. Melly, Jason (5 May 2003). "Rotherham United 2 – 2 Nottingham Forest". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  6. "Westcarr set for Imps loan switch". BBC Sport. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  7. "Megson begins rebuilding process". BBC Sport. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  8. "Striker Westcarr joins Cambridge". BBC Sport. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  9. "Westcarr rejects Cambridge offer". BBC Sport. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  10. "Striker Westcarr leaves Cambridge". BBC Sport. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  11. "Poppies set to report Stevenage". BBC Sport. 10 May 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  12. "Westcarr does U-turn to Kettering". BBC Sport. 19 August 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  13. "Kettering 2–4 Fulham". BBC Sport. 24 January 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  14. "Player award for striker Steele". BBC Sport. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  15. "Trio are shown Poppies exit door". BBC Sport. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  16. "Notts County net striker Westcarr". BBC Sport. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  17. "Notts County 5 – 0 Hereford". BBC Sport. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  18. "Notts County trio sign new two-year deals with the club". BBC Sport. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  19. "Sunderland 1 – 2 Notts County" (BBC Sport). 8 January 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  20. "Chesterfield sign Craig Westcarr and Lee Johnson". BBC Sport. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  21. "Exeter 2 Chesterfield 1". Sheffield Star. 27 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  22. Chapman, Caroline (25 March 2012). "Chesterfield 2 – 0 Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  23. "Craig Westcarr and Neal Trotman listed". BBC Sport. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  24. "Craig Westcarr released by Spireites". BBC Sport. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  25. "Chesterfield's Craig Westcarr signs on loan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  26. "Westcarr completes permanent Saddlers move". BBC Sport. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  27. "Walsall 'monitor' Craig Westcarr after Chesterfield exit". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  28. "Walsall 3–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  29. "Walsall 2–0 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  30. "End of Season Awards 2012/13". BBC Sport. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  31. "Craig Westcarr agrees new Saddlers deal". BBC Sport. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  32. "Walsall 3–1 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  33. "Walsall release top scorer in eight-man clear-out". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  34. "Walsall's Dean Smith: Why I axed Craig Westcarr". Express and Star. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  35. "Pompey sign Westcarr". Portsmouth FC. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  36. "Portsmouth 2 Northampton 0". BBC. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  37. "Stevenage Player: Craig Westcarr profile". BoroGuide. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  38. Craig Westcarr at Soccerbase
  39. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  40. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  41. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  42. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  43. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  44. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  45. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  46. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  47. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  48. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  49. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  50. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  51. "Games played by Craig Westcarr in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  52. Craig Westcarr at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
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