107 Minutes Played, 12 Trophies Won: A Man City Legend Retires
107 Minutes Played, 12 Trophies Won: A Man City Legend Retires
At the ripe age of 40 years old, ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Scott Carson announced his retirement from professional football after a long and successful 21-year career.
During his time in Manchester, the Citizens won 12 trophies – although Carson only earned five winners’ medals with the squad due to not meeting the appearance requirements for a majority of them, having been the backup ‘keeper.
He has become a cult hero over the past six seasons at the Etihad, and although he only managed to get 107 minutes of action (an average of less than 18 minutes per year), he will never be forgotten by the Blue Moon faithful.
🚨💙 Official: Scott Carson announces his retirement from professional football.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 23, 2025
107 mins on the pitch for Man City, 12 trophies. pic.twitter.com/dQk3bJHS8l
10 Chapters, 469 Appearances
Carson featured for 10 different clubs throughout his career spanning just over two decades. Starting with Leeds United in 2003 and ending in the summer of 2025 with Manchester City, nine of these clubs have been English ones, with his only foreign exploits a two year stint in Turkey under the Bursaspor banner.
After spending two years at the Whites, making three appearances, he headed west to Merseyside, where he would represent Liverpool for the following three seasons – although for most of this period, he would be calling the Reds a “parent club”.
He made just four appearances for European giants Liverpool, spending half of his first season at Anfield, before finding more success and game time elsewhere with Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, and Aston Villa. However, it must be noted that he did earn himself a Champions League winners medal, having featured early on in the Reds' 2004/05 campaign.
During his campaigns with Charlton and Villa was where he made a name for himself, becoming the first-choice ‘keeper for both outfits. It was also here where he managed to break into the England team for the first time – making his debut and a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over Austria in November 2007. Carson would go on to make four caps for the Three Lions, making his final appearance against Sweden four years on.
After leaving Anfield in 2008, Carson finally found a permanent home where he could find consistent game time. He headed to The Hawthorns, where he would play for West Bromwich Albion for the next three seasons, making 110 appearances for the Baggies. Carson experienced a whirlwind of emotions over these seasons, getting relegated to the Championship in his first season before gaining an instant bounce back in his second season. In his third season, West Brom would not just survive in the topflight, but they would almost break into the top half, finishing 11th.
It was after West Brom that Carson would decide to make the risky move abroad, heading for then Turkish giants Bursaspor. Playing in Europe at the time, this experience was without a doubt the right choice for his career. However, despite winning the Super Lig title in 2009/10 prior to his arrival, they unfortunately couldn’t repeat this success, instead finishing eighth and then fourth in his two seasons.
After a successful stint in Türkiye, Carson came back to England as he joined newly crowned FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic. This spell was potentially the worst of his career, however, although the Latics finished in the playoff spots in their first season back in the Championship while also making the semi-finals in their FA Cup defence.
Scott Carson has not started a top flight game in 3645 days.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2021
He's just received a Guard of Honour as a Premier League champion 👏 pic.twitter.com/4wo3Aar6jO
It was their second season, however, where things took a turn for the worse, as Carson couldn’t keep Wigan afloat, and they ended up in 23rd place, suffering relegation to League One.
With Wigan entering the third tier of English football, Carson knew he couldn’t stay, and so he ventured into the ninth chapter of his career, joining Derby County. He would spend the next six seasons at Pride Park, where he would make a career-best number of appearances at one club, with 158.
For most of his time in the Midlands, he would lead the Rams to consistent finishes in and around the Championship playoffs, with Derby achieving runners-up medals in what would be his last season at Pride Park before heading on loan to Manchester City in 2019.
Finally, Carson would make his final career move, heading right back up the food chain by going from Frank Lampard’s Derby County to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Of course, he would only feature twice for the Citizens, although his glittering trophy cabinet would suggest that particular sacrifice may have been worth it.
A Stellar Time in Moss Side
Joining the club at 34, Carson knew he was never going to receive a starring role between the sticks for the Citizens, playing second fiddle to the likes of Ederson and even Stefan Ortega when the former was injured, so chances of getting game time were few and far between.
✍️ We are delighted to have signed Scott Carson from Derby County on a year-long loan deal.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 8, 2019
Welcome, Scott! 💙
🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/XOAbPJqpTP
He had many highlights to look back on – including the remarkable and historic treble success in 2023, certainly the peak in his career.
But Carson seemed more than happy to occupy the benchwarmer role throughout his six-year tenure, making just two appearances.
He has been apart of one of the greatest squads that the Premier League has seen in some time – featuring in matchday squads alongside the likes of Erling Haaland to Sergio Aguero, and David Silva to Kevin De Bruyne.
His second and final appearance at City came back in March 2022 – a late cameo during a UEFA Champions League last-16 match against Sporting CP.
Although he experienced a lack of action, he expressed via a post on Instagram that he had a lot of people and teams to thank for his stellar career. His post read: ”Football has given me everything – memories, friendships, and moments I’ll never forget. Thank you to every team-mate, coach, fan, and club that has been part of my ride.
“It’s been an honour.”
Aaron McIntosh 
