Carl Airey

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Carl Airey (born February 2, 1965) was an English professional footballer. He was born in Wakefield.

[edit] Career

Carl Airey, a bustling centre-forward, began his professional career as an apprentice with Barnsley, turning professional in February 1983 and making his league debut the same season. He left Oakwell in August 1984, after 38 league games in which he scored 5 goals, joining Darlington. At the Feethams, he was top scorer the following season as Darlington, under Cyril Knowles, won promotion. He went on to score 28 goals in 75 league games before his transfer to Belgian side Charleroi in May 1986. His stay in Belgium was a short one, returning to England in December of the same year to join Chesterfield on loan for whom he played 26 league games, scoring 4 goals. In August 1987, Carl was on the move once more, this time to Rotherham United, where he averaged a goal every 3 games, scoring 11 in 32 league games. He joined Torquay United, teaming up once more with former manager Cyril Knowles and former teammate Phil Lloyd, in December 1988, making his debut on the 20th of January 1989 when he came on as a substitute for Ian Weston in a 2-0 defeat away to Halifax Town. He struggled to establish himself in the starting line-up, although he did start at Wembley in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final against Bolton Wanderers. The following season he started as first choice, but soon lost his place and along with Ian Weston joined Shamrock Rovers on loan in September 1989 where after 5 appearances he returned to the Torquay side the following month and equalled Sammy Collins' record of scoring in seven consecutive games before losing his place again and not featuring again in the first team after the end of January. He was released at the end of the season, joining Salisbury in July 1990. He was later reported to be working as a milkman in Salisbury.