In 2001, Lincoln City signed a defender called Darren Carr. You might be forgiven for missing it: he played four times before returning to Brighton.
However, the story of Darren Carr and Lincoln City is a three-part saga, one which spans eight years, and starts with him allegedly being knocked out. Curious? You should be.
It all started in March 1993, bringing one of the more combustible Sincil Bank flashpoints of the era, as Lincoln City striker Jason Lee and then-Crewe Alexandra defender Carr became the central figures in a dispute that rumbled on beyond the final whistle of our basement division battle.
The game itself had already carried enough significance before the confrontation took over the headlines. We were trying to stay firmly in the Third Division promotion race, while Crewe arrived as one of the sides ahead of them in the battle near the top. City extended their unbeaten home run to 11 matches, but the result felt like an opportunity missed, particularly with only seven matches left to secure at least a play-off place.
The Imps made the ideal start. In the eighth minute, Matt Carmichael rose well at the far post to head in David Puttnam’s cross, claiming his third league goal of the season and giving City the platform they needed. The lead did not last. Nine minutes later, Crewe captain Stewart Evans equalised with a free-kick, and from that point the match became increasingly stretched, awkward and physical.
Crewe’s passing football caused Lincoln problems, with Gareth Whalley especially influential in midfield. City still had chances of their own after the break, with Neil Matthews and John Schofield both going close, while Crewe keeper Dean Greygoose was forced into important work. At the other end, Ashley Ward almost punished Grant Brown after the City defender was caught in possession, only for Schofield to recover with a vital interception.
60 minutes in, Carr and Lee clashed close to the dugouts, in front of the St Andrews’ Stand. Carr went down holding his face, and let’s be honest, Lee wasn’t against swinging and an elbow. In this instance, referee Roger Pawley didn’t feel Lee was the aggressor, and he gave City the free kick.
Carr needed treatment, not, one would imagine, for a self-inflicted blow, and he was now happy at all. The game, which finished 1-1, was carried on in front of a selection of Premier League scouts keeping an eye on Puttnam. It wasn’t quite the slick football they’d have hoped for, as Lee and Carr clashed a couple more times.
The final whistle went, and Lee, then 21, reportedly went to shake Carr’s hand. The defender was having none of it and twice lashed out at Lee. That was what the fans saw.
Unconfirmed reports suggest Lee, not one to shy away from a bit of a set to, decided he was going to get retribution. Some reports suggest a dressing room door was put through, others that Lee only needed to catch Carr up in the tunnel. Whatever the route, the destination was the same: one punch, and Carr was having a nap on the floor.
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Lincoln City manager Geoff Davey gave the Imps’ view in the immediate aftermath, saying:
“Notwithstanding what happened during the game, the feeling here is that Jason Lee was well provoked, particularly during the first half.
“It is alleged Carr twice struck Lee in the face as he was leaving the field.
“It is also alleged by Crewe that later, Lee struck Carr with a single blow, knocking him to the ground.
“Both managers and both chairmen met in our manager’s office and the allegations from each side were confirmed.
“There appears to have been unacceptable behaviour on both sides.”
Today, it would be headline news, and doubtless the FA would wade in with their charges, and their fines and whatever else. This was settled in the old-fashioned way: talking it out. By the following week, the matter had moved into the boardroom. Lincoln chairman John Reames held talks with Crewe boss Dario Gradi, while City managing director Davey described it as “a serious matter” and admitted the involvement of another club complicated the response. With no official police complaint and no involvement from the referee after the match, the issue was expected to be dealt with internally.
Eventually, the dispute reached what was described as an amicable conclusion. Lincoln’s chairman, Crewe’s chairman and Gradi agreed that both clubs would handle the matter in-house, and that seemed to be that.
Darren Carr turns City down
Six years later, City chairman-manager John Reames was hoping that amicable solution might bear fruit. He had identified Carr as a key defensive target before the transfer deadline, with the 29-year-old then on the books of Gillingham. A left-sided central defender, Carr had also previously played for Bristol Rovers, Newport County and Sheffield United before joining the Kent club from Chesterfield the previous summer. He had impressed during his time with the Gills, although he was only among the substitutes when Lincoln visited Gillingham the weekend before the deadline.
Carr travelled up to Sincil Bank for discussions afterwards, and Reames was initially hopeful that a deal could be done. At that stage, the message was cautious but positive.
“I have spoken to Darren and he is interested. But as always, there is the financial deal we can offer,” said Reames.
Lincoln’s need was obvious. Kevin Austin was ruled out for another month, Dean Walling was still some way from fitness with a calf problem, and both Jason Barnett and John Finnigan were recovering from knocks. With the final quarter of the season approaching, City needed bodies and experience, particularly in defence.
Dave Phillips signed from Huddersfield, a veteran midfielder with his best days behind him. Peter Gain, on loan from Tottenham, also signed a deal. He is a superb midfielder with his best days ahead of him. That was the good and the bad, but which was Carr to be?
Talks gradually reached an impasse. Reames later confirmed that City had failed to land the defender because the player would not move on his wage demands. For a club operating within tight financial limits, that was the end of it.
“We offered Darren the best deal we could, but he felt it wasn’t good enough,” said Reames.
“There is a wage structure in place at this club and I am not going to deviate from it. If I did, it would be irresponsible financially and also not fair to the other players already here.
“It’s disappointing, but we went as far as we could with what we could offer.”
Carr did not arrive, but City were not left empty-handed. With minutes to spare before the 5 pm deadline, Reames secured Chris Wilder on loan from Sheffield United for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old brought more than 350 league appearances across eight clubs, giving City the defensive cover they needed after the Carr deal collapsed.
Finally, Carr arrives
Injuries seemed to be a recurring theme with Carr, whether it was his alleged facial injury that Lee manifested into something real, or the injuries we suffered ahead of trying to sign him. In 2000/01, City were abject, with injuries mounting. Jason Barnett was in and out of the side, and Stuart Bimson was ruled out as well. Steve Holmes had recently suffered an injury, while Steve Welsh, another veteran, was also struggling, as was Richard Logan.
On Boxing Day 2000, Mark Camm played right back, Paul Mayo left back, with loanee James Dudgeon and Jason Barnett in the middle. It was not ideal, so Reames got on the phone. Chris Perkins came in from Chesterfield, as did Carr, now at Brighton.
Finally, Darren Carr pulled on a Lincoln City shirt, numbered 30. His debut was something special: we beat Hull 2-0 and he played a strong role, offering an aerial presence. Now 32, he suffered with injuries as well, and missed the next game at Plymouth, a game which saw Barnett sent off.
Carr came back in for the 2-2 draw with Darlington and a 1-0 defeat against Southend. Cup tied, he missed FLT games against Hartlepool and Chesterfield, and injury (again) ruled him out of our defeat against Torquay. Maybe the Carr that Jason Lee had sparked out would have been useful, but he looked like a spent force and was gone.
He finished his Football League career as one of three players sent off for Carlisle against Scunthorpe a few weeks later, before slipping into non-league.
Three games do not tell the story of Darren Carr and Lincoln City, but three moments, eight years apart, certainly do.
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