Football fans around the world were quick to forgive Carroll for his time at Liverpool, where expectations were high, but results fell short. He has been involved in off-field incidents throughout his career, including several arrests, yet his character shines through as he transitions to a new chapter at Bordeaux. What’s remarkable is that rather than drawing a salary, Carroll opted to pay the club, demonstrating an unexpected side of his character.
A Good Samaritan’s Sacrifice: Andy Carroll’s Unique Path to Life and Football
Despite the decline in his playing career, Carroll’s financial status remains robust. In May 2019, he was listed as the 14th-wealthiest athlete under 30, with a net worth of around £19 million. Instead of lamenting his past misfortunes, Carroll embraced the opportunity to help resurrect Bordeaux, a sleeping giant of French football that once boasted stars like Sylvain Wiltord (Thierry Henry‘s Arsenal forward partner), Zinedine Zidane (AM), Mauricio Pochettino and Yoann Gourcuff but now languished in the fourth division.
Who would have thought that a player like Andy Carroll, often labelled as “The Blockbuster,” would volunteer to take on such a challenge? Behind his decision lies a fascinating narrative of resilience, humility, and a desire to give back to the sport that shaped his life. Andy Carroll’s story is one of transformation and redemption, showing that the most unexpected paths can lead to the greatest legacies. His journey highlights that even through challenges, resilience and growth can shape a lasting impact.
Early Life and Family Background:
For his Biography starters, Andrew Thomas Carroll was born on the 6th day of January 1989 in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom.
The Capricorn footballer was born to his mother, Susan Simmonds and father, Thomas Carroll (A Machinist by profession).
During his early years, Andy Carroll attended Brighton Avenue Primary School and Joseph Swan School. Even as a schoolboy, football was his passion—he practically “lived for football.” His love for the game was evident from a young age, setting the foundation for his future career.
Since boyhood, he has been a season ticket holder for his beloved Newcastle United. He had cheered for this team from the moment he first thought of football.
He became a ballboy at the club and then rose up through the junior to senior ballboy ranks. Andy Carroll, in his childhood years, had a reputation for behaving badly.
Who is Billi Mucklow? Andy Carroll Partner:
Yes, behind the 6-foot-4 forward, there exists a glamorous WAG. Billi Mucklow became famous as a reality TV star who engaged to Carroll in November 2014. She is a year older than Andy.
Meet Billi Mucklow and Andy Carroll.
Billi Mucklow rose to fame when she joined the popular Essex reality TV show in its third series, which aired in 2011.
She quit the ITV programme in its eighth season, in 2013, after just two years in front of the camera. This has made her focus fully on the WAG lifestyle.
Their son, Arlo, was born in June 2015. ‘Arlo’ was dubbed the second hottest celebrity name for boys in 2011 by NameBerry. Billi Mucklow once shared some adorable photos of her six-month-old, Arlo.
Billi Mucklow and Arlo (Andy Carroll’s son) take a photo.
In the month of November 2017, Billi Mucklow gave birth to her second child with Andy Carroll. Both partners named him Wolf Nine Carroll. What a strange and unusual name.
Billi Mucklow and Andy Carroll welcome their child to the world.
Aside from Arol and Wolf Nine, Andy has two other children, Emilie Rose and Lucas, from a previous relationship.
Relationship Issues:
Like Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Manchester United’s Antony and Mason Greenwood, Andy Carroll has faced his share of relationship challenges. To start with, Andy once dated Stacey Miller and between both former lovers is a history of brutal assault.
On October 18, 2010, Andy Carroll faced assault charges stemming from a serious altercation with his ex-girlfriend, who sustained head injuries during the incident. He asserted that his actions were in self-defence, and ultimately, the charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
After his arrest, Carroll was released on bail with the stipulation that he live with Kevin Nolan, then the captain of Newcastle United, until the case was heard in January. However, just two days after his release, Carroll’s car was set ablaze while parked in Nolan’s driveway, and the garage door of Nolan’s home was also targeted. This event marked the start of Carroll’s anxiety about potential threats from gangs.
Victim of Attack:
In November 2016, while driving near his home in Brentwood, Essex, Andy Carroll was confronted by two men on motorcycles. Armed with a handgun, they attempted to steal his £22,000 watch but were unsuccessful. Carroll managed to escape and drove back to West Ham’s training ground in Rush Green, where he sought assistance from security staff, all while being pursued in his car for approximately 20 minutes.
Justice was eventually served in September 2017, when one of the suspects, 22-year-old Jack O’Brien, was convicted of attempted robbery. O’Brien received a six-year prison sentence for his crime.
Police Arrest Records:
On 14 September 2008, Andy Carroll was arrested by police in Newcastle, ultimately accepting a police caution for the incident. His troubles continued when, on 7 December 2009, he found himself in hot water again, this time following a nightclub fight in Newcastle where he was accused of smashing a glass in a man’s face.
Carroll was charged with assault and, in October 2010, he pleaded guilty to common assault. As a result, he was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation to the victim.
Breaking Curfew:
While representing the England U-19 team, Andy Carroll, along with his teammates Scott Sinclair and Ryan Bertrand, was sent home after violating a curfew on 14 October 2007. This incident occurred during their preparations for a match against the Romania U-19 squad.
Fighting with Teammate:
In March 2010, Andy Carroll was reportedly involved in a confrontation with his teammate Steven Taylor during a training session, resulting in Taylor sustaining a broken jaw. Carroll himself sustained a broken hand in the altercation and was later spotted at a pop concert with both hands bandaged. At the time, Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, along with club representatives and both players, chose not to provide any further comments on the matter, and no charges were filed.
Drinking Habit:
Andy Carroll was once known for his heavy drinking habits. After England’s 1–1 draw with Ghana on March 29, 2011, England manager Fabio Capello advised Carroll to rein in his drinking. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish humorously remarked, “Well, he’s never bought me a drink. I’ve been with him at Boyzone concerts, and he’s still never bought me a drink!”
In an April 2012 interview, Carroll acknowledged his reputation for partying during his time at Newcastle but claimed that since joining Liverpool in January 2011, he had “settled down” and made significant changes to his lifestyle.
Family Life:
His proud dad, Thomas Carroll, a fitter and turner, and mum, Susan Simmonds, have supported their son’s footballing ambitions right from his childhood days. However, they still made sure Andy got good grades in his GCSEs.
Before his son’s football investments paid off, Thomas Carroll operated a middle-class family background.
Thomas has spent decades manufacturing metal components and assembling them to construct industrial machinery, machine components and tools.
Career Summary:
Andy Carroll began his youth football career with Newcastle United, where he quickly displayed his potential on the pitch. He signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2006 at just 17 years old. Shortly after, he spent a brief period on loan with Preston North End.
In 2007, Carroll earned the prestigious Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy, a recognition that established him as “the rising star of North-East football” among Newcastle players.
That same year, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon labelled him to ‘have a big future’.
Unfortunately, Carroll’s £35 million sales to Liverpool to replace Fernando Torres (who joined Drogba‘s Chelsea team) didn’t work as planned. While in Liverpool, he headed down the same road to ruin.
To date, Andy Carroll still blames Newcastle for killing Alan Shearer‘s dream, claiming the club forced him out. West Ham became the next destination after his Liverpool woes. The rest, as they say, is now history.
End Note:
Andy Carroll’s journey through the world of football is as intriguing as it is complex. Known for his remarkable height and powerful presence on the pitch, Carroll has also faced his share of controversies and setbacks. Despite a tumultuous career that included a disappointing stint at Liverpool, Carroll’s humility and willingness to embrace challenges by joining French fourth-tier Bordeaux have earned him the respect and admiration of many football fans.
