Andy Carroll, born in Gateshead, played for his home city club on two separate occasions. The first after graduating from the Magpies youth system and making a huge breakthrough into the senior team in 2008 following a brief on loan at Preston. Scoring 17 goals in 37 games in the Championship he helped Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He then scored 11 goals in 19 before being the subject of a British record transfer bid of £35m from Liverpool, being bought to replace Fernando Torres who had been sold Chelsea that same window.

His time at Liverpool was not to be a success however as his robust physical style never did fit the Liverpool style of the time. A transfer to West Ham followed, but injury would plague his time there.

A pay as you play offer took him back to St James Park under Steve Bruce where he would score just one goal as a bit part player before being released in 2021.

He gained 9 full caps for England, scoring twice.