Raich Carter

Horatio Stratton "Raich" Carter (21 December 1913 – 9 October 1994) was an English sportsman who played football for Sunderland, Derby County and Hull City, as well as representing England on thirteen occasions.

On 23 April 1927, he made his England Schoolboy debut, scoring once in the 6–1 win over Wales at Eastville Stadium, home of Bristol Rovers.

He retained his place in the side for both games during the following season, captaining the side (and scoring twice) on his final appearance, a 3–2 win over Wales in Swansea.

On leaving school in summer 1928, Carter was presented with a gold watch inscribed with details of his England football and school cricket achievements.

He was offered amateur terms and an office job by Sunderland His uncle, Ted, who had been acting as his guardian since his father's death in March 1928 was not impressed and insisted he learn a trade to fall back on and also noted Carter was still too small and light for professional football.

Carter was apprenticed as an electrician with the Sunderland Forge and Mechanical Company.

He played football for their works team and also Whitburn St Mary's whose team contained many of Sunderland's best juniors.

On 27 December 1931 on a heavy pitch, Carter did not impress and was told by the Leicester City manager Willie Orr that he was too small.

In the summer of 1931 Carter signed amateur terms with Sunderland.

After a trial he was still considered too small to be a professional.

He moved to leading local amateur side Esh Winning.

On 10 October 1931 Carter made his debut for Sunderland reserves against Walker Celtic He retained his place a week later.

On 12 November 1931, he signed a professional contract.

It was a part-time contract (training 2 nights a week) for £3 a week plus £1 for each reserve team appearance.

A big increase on his 45p a week electrician's apprenticeship.

After 9 appearances, his wage was increased to £8 a week.

Carter captained Sunderland to the Football League title in 1936, at that time the youngest man ever to have captained a First Division title-winning side.

On 28 March 1936, Carter was sent off for the only time in his career in a feisty 5–0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

In December 1936 Carter received the usual benefit cheque of £650 for 5 years' service with the club.

It was to rankle him that despite a long career it was the only benefit cheque he was to receive as he never did 5 years continuous service again.

He followed that up with victory in the 1937 FA Cup final, scoring the second Sunderland goal in a 3–1 win over Preston North End.

The Second World War left him bereft of many of his peak years, like many great players of his age.

In November 1945 Carter was transfer listed by Sunderland after the club refused his request for a new 10-year contract.

A number of clubs expressed an interest.

On 21 December 1945 Carter joined Derby County for £6,000 minutes before the FA Cup transfer deadline.

He also played first-class cricket for Derbyshire in 1946.

He later became a football manager.

Afterwards he picked up another Cup winners medal with Derby in 1946, becoming the only player to win Cup winners medals both before and after the war.

On 31 August 1946, Carter made his Football League debut for Derby at Sunderland.

He later played for Hull City and Cork Athletic.

In February 1953, Carter signed a short term playing contract with Cork Athletic.

In 2013 he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

Carter was born at Hendon, Sunderland, the son of Robert Carter who played football for Port Vale, Fulham and Southampton.

His Christian names come from his maternal grandfather and mother's maiden name respectively.

He had an elder brother who died as a baby and 2 sisters.

As a boy, Carter attended Hendon Board School.

He excelled at most sports, including football, cricket and athletics.

According to family legend, at the age of 3, Raich was promised a trial with Leicester City when he reached 17 by their scout George Metcalfe, a former South Shields player.

On his 17th birthday, Carter reminded neighbour George Metcalfe of his long standing promise.

When Leicester City visited Sunderland a few days later, Metcalfe arranged a trial for Carter with them.