Ex-Imp Carbon Is In Demand

Lincs. UK Banner Exchange

13th July 2006

Steve Thompson's Notts County are rapidly rivalling Peterborough United, as to who can attract the most former Lincoln City FC players!

Former Imps' defender Matt Carbon is the latest to be targeted, with Notts County the favourite to win his signature. However, several other unnamed League Two clubs are also interested in him - the speculation has immediately linked both Lincoln City and Peterborough United to Carbon, who is a free agent.

Carbon began his career as a trainee at Lincoln City in 1993 under the supervision of then Imps' youth team coach Keith Alexander and Thompson, who was the then Lincoln City manager. Carbon gained a regular first team place after Alexander was promoted to Imps' manager, and he made 83 appearances for The Imps.

In March 1996, he was sold to Derby County in a £400,000 transfer, then aged just 20. This allowed him to play for the England Under-21 side after joining Derby.

Carbon stayed at Derby for 18 months before leaving to join West Bromwich Albion in a £800,000 deal. A move to Walsall transpired in July 2001 but injuries interfered with his Walsall career during the three years that he spent there.

Carbon made a shock return to Lincoln City in October 2003, when he joined on a month's loan. The idea was for him to regain his fitness but the plan was scuppered when he sustained another injury in his one and only appearance during the loan spell.

Walsall released Carbon in May 2004 and speculation naturally linked him to Lincoln City. However, this was too ambitious as several higher league clubs were also interested. In the end, Carbon opted for Barnsley, where he stayed until his release last month.