| Scott
McCarthy began his career at Seagulls Club, and soon
established himself as first choice keeper after
progressing through the youth team. After 9 years, and 2
Mid Sussex Youth League runners-up medals, McCarthy left
the Greenleas Stadium, and joined Burgess Hill as part
of the 'Wideman revolution'. Starting the season as
first choice, he incurred a back injury and never
regained his place. Andy Collin then took the talented
keeper to Leylands Park, as his last signing for
Southdown Rovers, where the stopper kept Rovers only
clean sheet, a 0-0 draw away at Saltdean, in a turbulent
2003-2004 season. He spent time at Old Varndeanians
on-loan from Rovers to attain match fitness, and
captained the side in all of the appearances he made.
When his Southdown contract ran out at the end of
2003-2004, he decided to team up with his good friend
Jamie Farhall at the Hamsters on a permanent deal for
the 2004-2005 season, where he was installed as Director
of Football. Taking over management of the side in
February 2005, he also appeared out field, re-uniting
his old Southdown defensive partnership with Ian
Simpson, and claiming the player of the season crown at
the end of the 2004-2005 season. McCarthy suffered an
injury-ravaged 2005-2006, and never fully recovered from
ankle ligament damage attainted in pre-season training.
His 2006-2007 was dominated by problems with his
fitness, and this has lead many pundits to note that it
could be time for the experienced keeper to hang up his
gloves and concentrate on management
With
injuries taking their toll and a chronic weight gain,
many consider McCarthy to be entering the twilight years
of his career. However, he continues to defy the critics
with stunning saves, and although his days of
marshalling the defence are probably behind him, still
offers a lot to the side when he takes up a position
between the sticks |
