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Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Andy Carroll, Liverpool, Newcastle United, West Ham
Joe Bray
Former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll made his return to English football on Tuesday night but suffered a heavy defeat on his debut for the sixth-tier side.
Carroll, 36, was at one point the most expensive English player in history when he joined Liverpool for £35 million from Newcastle in 2011, going on to represent West Ham, Reading and West Bromwich Albion before moving to France in 2023 with Amiens.
The nine-time England international was most recently at Bordeaux, before announcing a shock return to England last week to the National League South where he will line up for his new club in non-league for the first time.
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Carroll was confirmed as a marquee signing for Dagenham and Redbridge under a new Qatari consortium, saying he wanted to return to East London for family reasons. The striker said he turned down other offers from several clubs across Europe and told Sky Sports: "It doesn't matter the level, or anything, as long as I get on the pitch and play football, that's all that matters.
"Coming here and showing people I am just playing for the love of football rather than the money and the level is something I wanted to do. This is something which could be fantastic. We have a project to get them out of non-league and back up the leagues."
Dagenham fans have reacted positively to their new star striker after relegation from the National League last season and cheered his every touch in Tuesday's friendly defeat to Crawley on Tuesday. Carroll came off the bench with increased media attention at Victoria Road but couldn't prevent the non-leaguers going down to a crushing 5-1 defeat.
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Carroll entered the action at 2-1 down, immediately putting himself about, however the League Two opposition showed their quality with three more unanswered goals to inflict a nightmare debut on Carroll and highlight the challenge in front of him. To make matters worse, Crawley's trialist forward - 'Trialist B' - bagged two late goals to steal the show from Carroll.
Speaking after the game, Carroll said: "It was brilliant, as soon as I stepped out on the pitch and was warning up the fans were cheering. It was one of those feelings you can't explain or describe. Tonight at Dagenham I felt that as well. I'm investing my time and money and I'm giving everything I can on and off the pitch. I'm trying to bring everyone together on and off the pitch to produce something great.
"It's a club that deserves it, the fans tonight, the support and players and backroom staff - It's something that could be fantastic. I'm looking forward to getting started on and off the pitch, it's a completely different role for me and I'm really looking forward to it."
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Despite a debut defeat, Dagenham fans have reacted positively to Carroll's arrival and the attention that has come with it. One fan spoke to Sky Sports and said: "Absolutely buzzing. I have a good feeling that these new owners and Andy Carroll at our club is incredible. Hopefully we will push through this, up the leagues."
Another couldn't hide her delight, saying: "I was like 'what the hell, what's going on?' It was just totally unbelievable. You don't expect a player of his calibre who still has legs on him to play at National League South Level, you just don't expect it at all."
Daggers fan Pete told the Sun: “We can’t believe it. My mate told me that (Carroll) was signing and I really thought he was winding me up. He’ll love this club. He’s not bothered about money, it’s just football for him. I think this is going to bring the crowd back. I hope he’s got some mates to come down and play with him!"
Fellow supporter Jake said: “It makes everyone feel better again. As long as he scores a few goals, he’ll make himself well-liked around here!”