‘I was at the bottom of the hole’ – Andy Carroll opens up on difficult time at West Ham | OneFootball

Andy Carroll (35) has made some unexpected career moves in recent times, firstly leaving Reading to join Ligue 2 side SC Amiens before then making the move to amateur side Girondins de Bordeaux one year later.

Carroll joined now-amateur side Bordeaux, currently playing in the fourth division, on a free transfer last month. The club are rebuilding after bankruptcy saw their professional status revoked. Since arriving, he has netted two braces in his first two matches, helping Bordeaux to their first win since the demotion.

In an interview with RMC Sport, Carroll revealed that he was taking a financial hit in order to play for the club. “To be honest, it’s even costing me money to come and play for Bordeaux but I’m playing football and I am simply happy to be playing football,” said the former England international.

‘I was just sinking and making bad decisions’ – Carroll

Things haven’t always been this way for Carroll, who throughout his career has been dogged by injury. In an interview with Foot Mercato, the former Newcastle United and Liverpool forward revealed that he particularly struggled at West Ham United. “It was a very difficult period of my life, really,” he began.

“It was a stressful period for me. I was at the bottom of the hole; everything was dark. It was difficult to get back on my feet. I was just sinking and making bad decisions. It was very hard. You know, as a player, you just want to be on the pitch and playing. But sometimes, you hear stories, people saying ‘Oh he’s always injured’, ‘He should retire’, and unpleasant things like that. At that moment, you’re in the abyss, in your shell and you’re just trying to get out of it because it can be dangerous. Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a more positive ending. So now, I just love playing football,” said Carroll.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle