Craig Westcarr
Encyclopedia
Craig Naptali Westcarr (born 29 January 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker, for Chesterfield
.
, Westcarr played for Nottingham Forest
as a youth, and he regularly played for their reserves as well as the England youth teams, from Under-16s up to the Under-21s.
While at Forest, Westcarr became the youngest player to ever play for them, aged 16. He went on to make 23 appearances in a Forest shirt, scoring once, before moving to Cambridge United
in 2005.
. This was a major coup for Conference North side Kettering, who also managed to sign Andre Boucaud
from Peterborough United
that summer.
Player of the Month in the first few weeks of the season, Westcarr went on to finish the season with many assists, with Kettering finally finishing second, and losing in the promotion play-offs.
In Westcarr's second season, he was played mostly as a winger, but as Kettering's striking situation got desperate, Westcarr was on hand to step-in, finishing the season as the club's top goalscorer, in a season that seen them win the league in April to clinch promotion to the Conference National
.
After impressing that season, Westcarr caught the eyes of then Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough
. Westcarr later joined Stevenage for a un-disclosed fee.
would in fact not be leaving; this left Westcarr in background, and suddenly not able to get a game. Upon Westcarr unsettling, Kettering boss Mark Cooper threw his ex-player a lifeline, which Westcarr grabbed with both hands, returning to his former club.
as Kettering twice pulled level before losing 4–2. He was released by Kettering in May 2009.
, Westcarr opted to join Ian McParland
's League Two
team Notts County on 21 May 2009.
Westcarr originally joined on a one-year deal to prove himself upon his return to the Football League, and after helping Notts County to win the League Two
Championship, he committed to a 2 year extension.
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
Nottingham Forest
Born in NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, Westcarr played for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
as a youth, and he regularly played for their reserves as well as the England youth teams, from Under-16s up to the Under-21s.
While at Forest, Westcarr became the youngest player to ever play for them, aged 16. He went on to make 23 appearances in a Forest shirt, scoring once, before moving to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in 2005.
Cambridge United
Westcarr's first and only season with Cambridge proved to be a successful one, as he made 31 appearances, and scored a total of eight goals. He was offered a contract extension at the end of the season, but he decided to move on, and signed for Kettering TownKettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. This was a major coup for Conference North side Kettering, who also managed to sign Andre Boucaud
Andre Boucaud
Andre Christopher Boucaud is a footballer who plays for York City as a midfielder.Boucaud started his career in the youth system at Queens Park Rangers before moving to Reading, with whom he signed a professional contract in 2002. He had two spells on loan with Peterborough United in 2003 and...
from Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
that summer.
Kettering Town
Westcarr spent two successful seasons at Kettering. Westcarr made an instant impact, winning Conference NorthConference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
Player of the Month in the first few weeks of the season, Westcarr went on to finish the season with many assists, with Kettering finally finishing second, and losing in the promotion play-offs.
In Westcarr's second season, he was played mostly as a winger, but as Kettering's striking situation got desperate, Westcarr was on hand to step-in, finishing the season as the club's top goalscorer, in a season that seen them win the league in April to clinch promotion to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
.
After impressing that season, Westcarr caught the eyes of then Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. Westcarr later joined Stevenage for a un-disclosed fee.
Stevenage Borough
Westcarr featured during pre-season for Stevenage, scoring twice, but then news came through that Stevenage striker Steve MorisonSteve Morison
Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence...
would in fact not be leaving; this left Westcarr in background, and suddenly not able to get a game. Upon Westcarr unsettling, Kettering boss Mark Cooper threw his ex-player a lifeline, which Westcarr grabbed with both hands, returning to his former club.
Return to Kettering Town
Westcarr re-joined his former club, and vowed to 're-pay' the fans, for leaving in the first place. He began well, helping in Kettering's climb to the Top of the Blue Square Premiership in mid-October 2008. Westcarr scored twice in the FA Cup fourth round against Premier League side FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
as Kettering twice pulled level before losing 4–2. He was released by Kettering in May 2009.
Notts County
Upon his release from The PoppiesKettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
, Westcarr opted to join Ian McParland
Ian McParland
Ian 'Charlie' John McParland is a Scottish former professional association football player and manager. He played professionally as a striker with a number of teams and he is most known for his eight year spell with Notts County, a club he later managed...
's League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
team Notts County on 21 May 2009.
Westcarr originally joined on a one-year deal to prove himself upon his return to the Football League, and after helping Notts County to win the League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Championship, he committed to a 2 year extension.