Carter Joe Image 6 West Bromwich Albion 1935

Description

Aston, Birmingham born inside right Joe Carter started his football career with Westbourne Celtic in 1920 before joining West Bromwich Albion in April 1921, making his Football League debut at Bolton Wanderers that November. He was a mainstay of Albion’s team and a consistent goal getter throughout the 1920’s and much of the 1930’s helping them return to the First Division in 1931 as Second Division runners up after their relegation in 1927, scoring 155 goals for Albion in 451 appearances over 14 seasons at The Hawthorns. He was part of their triumphant 1931 FA Cup winning team when they beat Birmingham City at Wembley, returning with Albion to the Final in 1935 when they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday. In September 1931 he became the first ever Albion player to be sent off at The Hawthorns, a slightly dubious honour.

He won three England caps, scoring four goals. Having been a reserve against Wales in February 1925 he made a scoring debut against Belgium in Antwerp in May 1926, winning 2 further caps in England’s 1929 European tour against Belgium and Spain, scoring twice in Madrid as England lost 4-3. He also played once for The Football League in a 7-3 victory over The Scottish League at White Hart Lane in November 1930.

Sheffield Wednesday signed Carter in February 1936, but the contract was cancelled within the week following an accident at his home. Instead Tranmere Rovers obtained Carter’s signature in June 1936, but he only stayed for a short while scoring once in 6 appearances before Walsall signed him in November 1936, where he scored 4 goals in 25 games. He then became the player-manager of Vono Sports from 1937 until 1940, when he retired, having guested once for Aston Villa in a wartime league match during 1940-41.

NB In the photograph he shakes hands with Alex Finney, the captain of Bolton Wanderers, ahead of the 1935 FA Cup semi final.