“I was 13 years old, I was all alone among the supporters, with my burger. It was great”

Mtop scorer for the Girondins (six goals in four games), 12th in N2 before hosting the second Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Hilaire this Saturday (6 p.m.) at Matmut Atlantique, Andy Carroll talks about his journey, from his youth in Newcastle to in Bordeaux.

The day he discovered St James' Park in Newcastle

“My parents took me to the stadium when I started to get interested in football and understand the sport. I must have been around 9 years old. We took the car, we parked, and normally it's a two-minute walk to get to the gates. There, with all the fans, it was more like twenty. When we entered this magnificent stadium, I saw how big it was, and I said to myself “this is incredible”. The lawn was brilliant, a perfect green. It looked like a carpet. The atmosphere… and the smell! I can't describe it in words. These are the kind of memories you keep for the rest of your life. And yet, I don't remember the opponent. »

The day he subscribed to follow his favorite club

“I've wanted a subscription for a long time, but my parents couldn't afford it. At the time it must have cost around 250 pounds. They saved up and ended up giving it to me. Just for me! I must have been 13 or 14 years old. My cousin, the same age, also had a subscription, in another stand. My parents took us both, we went to watch the game separately, and we came home together. I was all alone among the supporters, with my burger. I felt like an adult (smile). It was great. After two or three years, the club (where he was trained, Editor's note) gave us two tickets per match, and I could take my father or my mother. »

The day he played his first professional match

“It was in the UEFA Cup in Palermo (November 2006, Editor’s note). This is another impressive stadium, with crazy fans! In the morning, we take our little team walk. The army is there to protect us because the people are very aggressive. They want to intimidate us. In the evening, when we go to the stadium, our bus has to stop because of the people on the road. I'm 17 years old, and I wonder what's going on! I replaced Albert Luque for the last minutes. A great time. And my first goal at St Jame's Park was against West Ham in January 2009. When I scored, I was so happy that I didn't know what to do except jump in the air (laughs). »

The day he scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa

“I remember it very well. It was one of the first times I wore number 9 (in August 2009, Editor's note). I always wanted to have it. The first is an uncontrolled shot after a corner. The second, a volley on a high ball. The third, I play a long ball towards Xisco, who gives it to me like a one-two. A check, then a shot ahead of the goalkeeper. To score a hat-trick at St James' Park in front of the fans, with that number 9 on your back, it's an incredible feeling. It's not that I felt invincible, but I felt completely confident. »

The day he transferred to Liverpool

“In January 2011, I am in the club gym. The TV is tuned to Sky Sports announcing that Newcastle have rejected a £25 million offer from Tottenham. Everyone asks me what's going on, and I answer “nothing, I'm staying here!” » Then it goes to 30 million, rejected again! I go to see the manager (Alan Pardew, Editor’s note), he tells me “no, you’re not leaving”. And a few minutes later, I learned that an offer of 35 million from Liverpool had been accepted. So I go back to see the manager who tells me “actually, you have to leave. A helicopter is coming to pick you up, goodbye.” And there you have it. I wanted to stay, I had even extended it. The decision to leave was not mine. »

The day when the amount of his transfer could have been heavy

“He wasn't. I was just playing football. But at the time I didn't care about anything other than Newcastle. Suddenly I found myself in Liverpool, all alone, at 22 years old. I didn't even have time to prepare for it. I slept at the hotel, and the next day I was at the training center. I was injured so I couldn't even meet the guys. Everything was changing, including my routine, my habits. It was difficult for me. I would have loved to stay in Newcastle but I don't regret anything. It made me grow up, I was able to see something other than my city. »

The day he became international

“It was against France in November 2010! I was a little hurt, I wasn't even sure if I was on the sheet. Eventually I started on the bench and then came on. Obviously you always want to play for the city you're from, but above that there's playing for your country. Many players never get this chance. When you get the opportunity, it’s a great feeling. Euro 2012 is a great memory. We had a great time together. I have never experienced this, neither before nor since. »

The day he joined France in the summer of 2023

“I always wanted to discover another culture, a different way of working. My agent offered me Amiens, and I said banco. My five children are in Essex (north-east of London, Editor’s note). It was only four hours to get there from Amiens. It was perfect. At the start of this season, I played less, even though I felt great in the city and with my partners. My career is nearing the end and I wanted playing time. I spoke with the Bordeaux manager (Bruno Irles) and John (Williams, sporting director). There are flights to London every day. So if I can play in a big club and play the climb, it doesn't matter the level! As long as I'm happy and I can go home to see my children, everything is fine. »

CV

Andy Carroll
Born January 6, 1989 in Newcastle (England) Forward – 1.94 m, 97 kg
Clubs : Newcastle (2006-2011 and 2019-2021), Preston North End (2008-2009), Liverpool (2011-2013), West Ham (2013-2019), Reading (2021-2023), West Bromwich (2022), Amiens ( 2023-2024), Bordeaux (since 2024)
Prize list: League Cup (2012), Championship (2010) 9 caps (2 goals)