Marcus Carver (born 22 October 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Bradford (Park Avenue).
Career
Accrington Stanley Carver was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He joined Accrington Stanley in May 2010, signing a two-year apprenticeship. In April 2012, Carver was offered his first professional contract, and the following month it was announced that he had signed it, with the contract valid for a year. He made his professional debut for Stanley on 28 April, coming on as a substitute for Charlie Barnett in a 5–1 defeat to Bristol Rovers.
On 15 August 2012, he agreed to join Marine on a one-month loan deal. The loan deal was extended by a further two months after Carver scored 9 goals in his first 13 games for the club.
He had three different loan spells over the course of the 2013–14 season; he joined FC Halifax Town on a month-long loan on 2 September, before joining Barrow on a month-long loan on 31 October, and AFC Fylde, again on a one-month loan, on 6 December. He agreed a new one-year contract with Accrington in summer 2014, and again in summer 2015.
Later career After leaving Accrington in June 2016, Carver signed for Chorley with whom he had previously played for on loan. Carver won promotion to the National League in his second season with the club. Carver left Chorley in May 2020 to sign for Southport.
After scoring 12 goals in 17 games for National League North side Southport, Carver signed for League Two club Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee on 10 January 2022. On 15 January 2022, Carver made his Hartlepool debut in a 2–0 defeat to Bristol Rovers. Carver struggled to find form at Hartlepool; he played 18 times for the club in all competitions and failed to score.
On 2 August 2022, Carver signed for National League club Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee. On 22 September 2022, Carver was sent out on a two-month loan deal to Southport. On 27 June 2023, it was announced that he had once again rejoined Southport – this time on a season long loan. He impressed during his early time with the club, winning the league's Player of the Month award for September 2023 after five goals in four matches.
On 10 May 2024, it was announced that Carver would be leaving Scunthorpe upon the expiry of his contract.
On 8 June 2024, it was announced Carver would make a return to Southport on a permanent basis for the 2024–25 season. In March 2025, he joined Ashton United on loan for the remainder of the season.
On 19 May 2025, Carver joined Northern Premier League Division One East side Bradford (Park Avenue) on a one-year deal. On 13 June 2026, Carver signs for Sabden FC and will be a part of the coaching staff.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAccrington Stanley2011–12League Two20000000202012–13League Two110—00001102013–14League Two60002100812014–15League Two17141001Appearances in Football League Trophy12232015–16League Two20—000020Total381412111454FC Halifax Town (loan)2013–14Conference Premier51———51Barrow (loan)2013–14For FA Trophy third qualifying round replay: Conference North41——2Appearances in FA Trophy4642014–15Conference North80———80Total121000024145Chorley2015–16National League North15220—001722016–17National League North39700—4One appearance in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in National League North play-offs14382017–18For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round: National League North411252—3049142018–19For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round: For FA Trophy third qualifying round: National League North421443—3One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs049172019–20National League31420—21355Total168391350012219346Southport2020–21For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round: National League North14320—201832021–22For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Cup second qualifying round replay: For FA Cup third qualifying round: For FA Cup third qualifying round replay: National League North171255—202417Total31157500404220Hartlepool United2021–22League Two170——10180Scunthorpe United2022–23National League20000—00200Southport (loan)2022–23National League North8200—0082Southport (loan)2023–24National League North381210—104012Southport2024–25National League North29221—20333Ashton United (loan)2024–25NPL Premier Division7300—1083Bradford Park Avenue2025–26NPL East Division352021—734424Career total408962913213110470120
Honours Individual National League North Player of the Month: September 2023
References
External links