# Dave Carlton

David George Carlton (born 24 November 1952) is an English retired professional footballer who made 320 appearances as a midfielder in the Football League, most notably for Northampton Town and Brentford.

## Playing career
### Early years

Carlton began his career as an apprentice at West Ham United and moved to Fulham in 1969. He made his debut during the 1971–72 Second Division season and made eight appearances in total. After a loan spell at North American Soccer League club Dallas Tornado in 1972, Carlton returned to Fulham, but made just one further appearance before his departure in October 1973.

### Northampton Town

Carlton signed for Fourth Division club Northampton Town in October 1973. He made just six league appearances in what remained of 1973–74, but became a regular pick from the beginning of the 1974–75 season and helped the Cobblers to promotion to the Third Division a year later. Northampton Town were relegated straight back to the Fourth Division and Carlton departed the club early in the 1976–77 season. He made 104 league appearances and scored six goals during nearly three years at the County Ground.

### Brentford

Carlton reunited with his former Fulham and Northampton Town manager Bill Dodgin at Fourth Division club Brentford in October 1976 and signed for a £3,000 fee. He helped the Bees to promotion to the Third Division in the 1977–78 season and unlike with Northampton, the club consolidated its position at the higher level. Carlton departed Griffin Park at the end of the 1979–80 season and made 148 appearances and scored seven goals during nearly four years with the Bees.

### Return to Northampton Town

In September 1980, Carlton dropped back to the Fourth Division, when he followed Bill Dodgin back to Northampton Town. He made 76 league appearances before departing in 1982.

### Wealdstone

Carlton ended his career with a spell at Alliance Premier League club Wealdstone.

## Personal life

After retiring from football, Carlton settled in Little Billing and began a business selling golf equipment.

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Fulham | 1971–72 | Second Division | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Fulham | 1972–73 | Second Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fulham | Total | Total | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Dallas Tornado (loan) | 1972 | North American Soccer League | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
| Brentford | 1976–77 | Fourth Division | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 0 |
| Brentford | 1977–78 | Fourth Division | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| Brentford | 1978–79 | Third Division | 37 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 2 |
| Brentford | 1979–80 | Third Division | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 2 |
| Brentford | Total | Total | 140 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 148 | 7 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 149 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 159 | 7 |

## Honours

Northampton Town
* Football League Fourth Division second-place promotion: 1975–76
Brentford
* Football League Fourth Division fourth-place promotion: 1977–78