Matt Carragher

Matthew Carragher (14 January 1976 – 28 December 2016) was an English footballer who played 422 league and cup games over twelve years in the Football League. He was a versatile defender and was described as "a natural leader".

He began his career with Wigan Athletic in 1993. He made 119 league appearances in four years at the club, helping the "Latics" to the Third Division title in 1996–97. He then switched to Port Vale. He was later made club captain and led the "Valiants" to victory in the Football League Trophy in 2001. He was released in May 2003. Following a brief spell at Stafford Rangers, he spent two years with Macclesfield Town before retiring in 2005.

Career Wigan Athletic Carragher started his career at Wigan Athletic after coming through the ranks at the Latics School of Excellence and made his debut in a 6–3 win over Chester City in October 1993. Kenny Swain's "Latics" then finished the 1993–94 campaign fourth from bottom of the Third Division. New boss Graham Barrow then led the Springfield Park club to 14th in 1994–95, before he was replaced by John Deehan. Wigan finished 10th in 1995–96, two points behind Colchester United in the play-off zone. Carragher made 16 appearances in 1996–97, as Wigan were crowned of the Third Division, finishing above Fulham on goal difference.

Port Vale He moved on to Port Vale in 1997 after John Rudge judged Carragher to be a potential replacement for the ageing Dean Glover and Neil Aspin. He made 25 First Division appearances in 1997–98, helping the "Valiants" to beat Huddersfield Town 4–0 on the final day of the season to avoid relegation by one point, at the expense of Manchester City and Potteries derby rivals Stoke City. He won the club's Young Player of the year award. However, he featured just 12 times in 1998–99, and was not selected once by new boss Brian Horton. He was though named as the club's Clubman of the Year.

He scored his first goal at Vale Park on 25 September 1999, in a 2–0 win over Swindon Town, and went on to play 39 games as Vale were relegated to the Second Division at the end of the 1999–2000 season. He played 56 of the club's 57 games in 2000–01, playing as a sweeper in a defence of Michael Walsh, Sagi Burton, Allen Tankard, and goalkeeper Mark Goodlad. He also captained the "Valiants" at the Football League Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium, which finished as a 2–1 win over Brentford. He continued to lead the back line in 2001–02, making 47 appearances.

Later career Following his release from Vale, he joined Stafford Rangers on non-contract terms, playing eight Southern League games, whilst Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough considered whether or not to make him an offer. Instead he signed for Macclesfield Town in November 2003. He played 18 games in 2003–04, as the "Silkmen" avoided relegation into the Conference by three places and seven points. Ironically, manager John Askey was replaced by Brian Horton in April 2004. He played 39 games in 2004–05 and featured in the play-off semi-final defeat to Lincoln City, but Horton released him from his contract at Moss Rose in May 2005.

Style of play Carragher was a versatile defender who could play as a left-back, right-back or sweeper. He was described as "a natural leader".

Personal life and death His father was a semi-professional footballer. Carragher died of cancer on 29 December 2016 at the age of 40. Former teammate Tony Naylor paid tribute to him as a "a cheeky chappie, a typical Scouse lad, confident and a nice guy with it".

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1993–94 Third Division

1994–95 Third Division

1995–96 Third Division

1996–97 Third Division

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1997–98 First Division

1998–99 First Division

1999–2000 First Division

2000–01 Second Division

2001–02 Second Division

2002–03 Second Division

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2003–04 Third Division

2003–04 League Two

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Honours Wigan Athletic Football League Third Division: 1996–97