Matt Carter

**Matthew James Carter** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

## Career

### Pre-HTU

West Ham United (youth)
Carter joined the academy of West Ham United in 2003, at the age of 5. He remained in their system for the following 13 years up until the age of 18, notably featuring at under-21 level at the age of 15 and training with Sam Allardyce's first-team squad on occasions. It was in an U17 match with Tottenham Hotspur that, whilst attempting to "hurt" Josh Onomah with a sliding tackle, Carter suffered a serious back injury; which would take nine months to fully heal. At the time of his injury, he later revealed that Liverpool and England were interested in his services. During his time with *The Hammers*, he also played in a training match against Argentina's senior squad.

Charlton Athletic (youth)
On 18 August 2016, Carter announced that he had joined Charlton Athletic; one month on from his West Ham release. After participating at youth level, the midfielder was selected on the bench on 5 December 2017 for the first-team's EFL Trophy second round match with Swansea City U21. He was substituted on during a 3–2 victory at the Liberty Stadium, having replaced Leon Best in the 88th minute. Carter was released by Charlton at the end of the season.

Dartford (trial)
After departing Charlton Athletic, Carter went on trial with National League South side Dartford in mid-2018. He scored in a pre-season friendly with Sevenoaks Town on 14 July. However, within a week, Carter was let go by *The Darts*, with joint-manager Adam Flanagan stating "He is a very talented young footballer but we feel that coming out of a pro environment he needs a season at a level below this standard"; noting that they would've been unable to offer him regular game time.

### HTU

2018–19
Immediately after his time with Dartford, Carter moved to Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South team HTU. He debuted in a pre-season loss away to Loughborough University on 28 July 2018, prior to featuring two days later versus Tilbury. His senior league bow arrived on 4 August as he came off the bench in a 3–2 defeat to Little Oakley. 7 more appearances followed between the start of August and the start of December. Carter notched an assist for Ryan Adams in a league loss to Harwich & Parkeston on 8 December, which preceded further assists against Newbury Forest (15 December) and Frenford (12 January). In between, he was sent off in a win away to Brightlingsea Regent Reserves on 22 December. Carter finished 2018–19 with 22 appearances as they won promotion.

2019–20
After playing in friendlies with Anstey Nomads, Burnham and Hashtag Originals, Carter scored his one and only goal for *The Tags* in an exhibition encounter at the Aspect Arena as HTU won 4–1 away to Concord Rangers on 25 July 2019. Despite featuring again two days later in a friendly with Peterborough Northern Star, Carter would make just one competitive appearance in the 2019–20 campaign as he came off the bench in an Errington Challenge Cup tie away to Sawbridgeworth Town on 4 December; having played in a friendly weeks prior versus East Thurrock United. It was later revealed that, midway through the season, he had decided to take a step back from football due to injury issues, with manager Jay Devereux also noting weight issues.

2020–21
At the beginning of 2020–21, it was announced that Carter was still a HTU player and had rejoined the squad following the COVID-19 pandemic-enforced lockdown that caused a curtailment to 2019–20 after improving his fitness. He, despite an immediate five-week injury, featured in pre-season versus Bowers & Pitsea, Canvey Island, Welling Town, St Albans City and Grays Athletic across August 2020. His first competitive appearance since 4 December 2019 arrived on 26 September 2020 as Carter came on in stoppage time in place of Ross Gleed as HTU beat Sawbridgeworth Town 4–2 in the Essex Senior League. It turned out to be his last match for the club.

### Post-HTU

Retirement
It was noted by Spencer Carmichael-Brown, on 24 October 2022, that Carter had retired.

## Personal Life

Around October 2022, Carter had a baby with his partner; who is the sister of former HTU player James Stevens. He works in recruitment in Billericay, England.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (35)
* List of appearances of Matt Carter

Goal (1)
Concord Rangers  v  Hashtag United

## HTU Honours

* Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South (1): 2018-19

## References

1. ↑ "Matt Carter" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Matt Carter" .
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "‘I don’t even watch football any more’ – how it feels to be let go by your club" , 25 November 2020.
4. ↑ "Delighted to announce that i have signed for @CAFCofficial on a 2 year deal" , 18 August 2016.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Dartford joint-bosses Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle to give ex-AFC Wimbledon player Sam Hatton another chance to impress" , 19 July 2018.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "WHO LEFT...AND WHY? - HASHTAG UNITED 2020/21 SQUAD UPDATE" , 7 September 2020.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "CUP UPSET? - Hashtag United vs Haringey Borough FC - Velocity Cup" , 24 October 2022.