Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher

Carragher, playing for Liverpool
Personal information
Full name	James Lee Duncan Carragher
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Centre Back, Full Back
Team information
Current team	Liverpool
Number	23
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 March, 2007

James 'Jamie' Lee Duncan Carragher (born 28 January 1978 in Bootle, Merseyside) is a central defender/right-back playing his club football at Liverpool where he is the current vice-captain.

One of the longest-serving players of the club, Carragher has made his 500th appearance for Liverpool on 15 January 2008 in all competitions, in the home FA cup fixture against Luton Town. He was made captain for this match. He is now settled in the heart of the defence under Rafael Benitez though previous manager Gérard Houllier preferred to use him as a full-back.

Club career

As a youth, Carragher attended the former FA school of excellence in Lilleshall and was a member of Liverpool's FA Youth Cup winning team in 1996 — a side that also contained his good friend Michael Owen Barry Doherty is Gay.

He signed a professional contract in October 1996 and then made his first team début three months later in the second leg of the Coca Cola Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, coming on as a substitute for Rob Jones. Next came his Premiership debut, again coming on as a substitute, against West Ham. He then started the next game against Aston Villa and marked the occasion with his first goal, scored in front of the Kop.

By the following season Carragher was a regular in the first-team squad and by the 1998–99 campaign was considered a player of real promise - which led to his first full international cap towards the end of the season.

Throughout his early years he was essentially used as a utility player, spending time as a centre-half, right and left full-back and defensive midfield. Because of this he would be deployed to fill in wherever there was a hole, ultimately harming his ability to hold down a first team position of his own. In 1999–00 he played mainly as a right-back, then in 2000–2001 he made the left-back position his own. By this time Carragher had become a firm fans' favourite for his determination, and "no-nonsense" style of defending. 2001 also saw Carragher gain his first senior trophies: the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and European Super Cup.

He hit the headlines in January 2002 during an FA Cup tie against Arsenal. A coin was thrown from the crowd, and Carragher inexplicably threw it back into the fans. He earned a red card and a disrepute charge from The Football Association. From 2002 till 2004 Carragher was hit by two serious injuries, firstly missing the 2002 FIFA World Cup for an operation on his troublesome knee and later due to a broken leg in the first half of the 2003-04 season due to a tackle by Blackburn's Lucas Neill at Ewood Park in the Reds' fifth game of the season. During this period, Carragher's place in the team was also threatened by signings of Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise. However, he succeeded in retaining his place in the team, making 24 appearances in the first half of 2004.

The 2004–05 season was a career defining one for Carragher. New manager Rafael Benítez moved him to centre-half where he managed 56 appearances alongside Sami Hyypiä. Carragher finally shrugged off the utility tag and established himself as a centre half. Carragher developed a reputation as a strong and positionally astute defender. . His partnership with Hyypia was central in Liverpool's 2004-2005 UEFA Champions League victory. One of the most memorable moments of the match was when Carragher made two vital last ditch intercept into extra time whilst suffering from cramp. Carragher was voted as Liverpool's player of the year at the end of the campaign. He later went on to captain in the team in their 2005 UEFA Super Cup victory when Liverpool won against CSKA Moscow in Monte Carlo.

On 13 May2006, Carragher played in the FA Cup final against West Ham. It was his tenth final in ten years of club football. In the 21st minute, Carragher rolled the ball into his own net after a strong cross from the Hammers' full-back Lionel Scaloni got caught under his own feet. Despite this Liverpool went on to win 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 3–3 after extra-time.

On 9 December2006, Carragher scored his first league goal since January 1999, in a match against Fulham at Anfield. His central defence partner Agger flicked the ball on from a corner, and Carragher slid the ball under Fulham keeper Jan Lastuvka at the far post, sparking wild scenes of celebration that displayed the Kop's admiration for the player. The goal was only his fourth in his Liverpool career.

In Liverpool's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea on 1 May 2007, Carragher set a record for the most appearances in European competition for the club. His 90th European match took him past Ian Callaghan's 89 matches between 1964 and 1978. After this match he was also named Man of the Match for his outstanding display despite suffering with cramp. Carragher was voted as Liverpool's Player of the Year for the 2006-07 season by the fans and soon after extended his contract till 2011. That season also saw Carragher's controversial international retirement, with the defender citing frustration with a lack of appearances under Steve McClaren.

The 2007-2008 season saw Carragher reach his 500th appearance for Liverpool, in a season in which he continued to be a first choice defender for the club.

Carragher's appearance against Arsenal on 5th April 2008 saw him overtake Kenny Dalglish in the all time Liverpool appearances table.

Carragher currently stands at number 11 in the all time Liverpool appearances table in all competitions.

International career

In 1996, before signing a professional contract or making his league début, Carragher had his first appearance for the England under-21 team. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he became a regular for the team, and eventually captain. In 2000, when he became ineligible for the team, he held the national record for most caps at this level, with 27. The record was eclipsed in 2007 by Scott Carson.

On 28 April1999 he made his début for the senior England team, as a substitute against Hungary. He made his full international début against Holland at White Hart Lane in 2001. Carragher missed the 2002 World Cup through injury, but travelled with England to Euro 2004. He eventually ended up with no playing time, losing out to Ledley King when a vacancy opened up. He was selected for the England squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and was not in the original starting eleven, but came into the team after Gary Neville suffered an injury.

Carragher's versatility has seen him occupy centre-back, right-back, left-back and defensive midfield positions for England. Despite his many caps and regular squad appearances, he has never held down a consistent place in the starting eleven. Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson generally used two center -backs from John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell in preference to Carragher, but occasionally used Carragher as right-back as deputy for Gary Neville, as he did during the 2006 World Cup.

On 1 July 2006 Carragher was one of three players to have a penalty saved by Ricardo Pereira, as England yet again succumbed on penalties to exit the 2006 World Cup in the quarter finals against Portugal. Carragher, who had been brought on as a substitute for Aaron Lennon in the dying moments of the game, presumably with the "shoot-out" in mind, was the most unfortunate of the three players who missed, as he scored with his first attempt but was forced to re-take the kick by the referee, who had not blown his whistle. Carragher then saw his second effort saved.

On July 9, 2007 it was reported that Carragher was thinking of retiring from the England set-up. TalkSport Radio Presenter Adrian Durham accused Carragher of "bottling it" and was asked by one caller if he would say that to Carragher's face. Durham said that he would but was surprised when Carragher actually did phone in. He then confirmed that he was thinking about leaving the national set-up but he had already had two talks with the England head coach Steve McClaren and would leave it until the upcoming match against Germany to decide.

Carragher did subsequently retire from International football. England former head coach Steve McClaren attempted to persuade him to return to the International setup on at least one occasion, whilst McClaren's replacement Fabio Capello has reportedly suggested that he would be happy to consider Carragher. Carragher's responses have suggested that he would not respond positively to any offers of a call-up. Carragher was said to have been unhappy at the failure of successive England managers to pick him at centre-back, preferring to use him as cover along the back four and even as a holding midfielder.

Private life

Carragher grew up on Knowsley Road in Bootle and lived with his mother Paula, father Phil and brothers Paul & John and attended St James RC school. He currently lives in Blundellsands, which is situated approximately five miles north of Bootle.

In 2005, Carragher starred in an anti-bullying music video for Liverpool band Just 3, entitled Stand Tall. The video was directed by Samantha Janus, and was heavily backed by Childline ambassador Esther Rantzen.

In July 2005, he married his childhood sweetheart, Nicola Hart, with whom he has two children, James and Mia.

On July 25th his teamate at the time Djibril Cisse confirmed Jamie wore a liverpool jersey on his wedding

Carragher received the freedom of his home borough of Sefton for his local charity work and "the exceptional example he sets to the youth of today."

Carragher also owns a restaurant in Liverpool called "Cafe Sport England Restaurant". It has over 200 Plasma TVs on the walls and only two things are shown on all of these TVs at once - football and rugby union.

On 28th February 2008, Carragher was arrested and cautioned for assault outside a school near his home in Crosby. Liverpool F.C. refused to comment.

Statistics

Correct as of 2 May 2008 Template:Fb start

Club performance

Club	Season	Premiership		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Others		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Liverpool FC	2007-08	33	0	4	0	3	0	13	0	0	0	53	0
	2006-07	35	1	1	0	1	0	12	0	0	0	49	1
	2005-06	36	0	6	0	0	0	13	1	2	0	57	1
	2004-05	38	0	0	0	3	0	15	0	0	0	56	0
	2003-04	22	0	3	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	29	0
	2002-03	35	0	3	0	5	0	11	0	0	0	54	0
	2001-02	33	0	2	0	1	0	16	0	1	0	53	0
	2000-01	34	0	6	0	6	0	12	0	0	0	58	0
	1999-00	36	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	40	0
	1998-99	34	1	2	0	2	0	6	0	0	0	44	1
	1997-98	20	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	23	0
	1996-97	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Total		358	3	28	0	26	0	103	1	4	0	521	4

Career honours

Team honours with Liverpool

• • FA Cup:
  • Winner: 2000–01, 2005–06

• • League Cup:
  • Winner: 2000–01, 2002–03
  • Runner-up: 2004–05

• • Community Shield:
  • Winner: 2001, 2006
  • Runner-up: 2002

• • FA Youth Cup:
  • Winner: 1995–96

• • UEFA Champions League:
  • Winner: 2004-05
  • Runner-up: 2006-07

• • UEFA Cup:
  • Winner: 2000–01

• • European Super Cup:
  • Winner: 2001, 2005

• • FIFA World Club Championship
  • Runner-up: 2005

• Individual honours and awards:

• • Liverpool FC Player of the Season: 2004-2005, 2006-2007

• • PFA Team of the Year: 2005-2006

External links

• Profile at liverpoolfc.tv
• Profile at BBCSport
• FootballDatabase provides Jamie Carragher's profile and stats
• TheFA.com profile
• Jamie Carragher at Soccerbase
• LFChistory.net player profile

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