United Cast The Net For A Shrimp

New Blue Danny Carlton

Cumbrians boss Neil McDonald has gone Danny daft in the last 72 hours as, following the capture of striker Danny Graham earlier in the week, Danny Carlton has now left Football League newcomers Morecambe to join the Brunton Park revolution. 23-year old Carlton pledging his immediate future to the Blues after penning a two-year contract with the club this morning.

The Leeds-born frontman, who has scored 65 goals in 129 starts for the Shrimps, plus a bumper 82 games as a used substitute, showed his striking prowess in the Nationwide Conference play-off final last month as he fired in a late winner against Exeter City at Wembley to propel the Christie Park outfit into the Football League for the first time in their history on the back of a 2-1 victory.

Carlton joined Morecambe at the tender age of 16 after spending his early years with Leeds-based Farsley Celtic and eventually signed pro forms with the Shrimps in 2002, the same year in which he made his first-team debut. The striker also impressing so much in his time at Christie Park that his efforts earned him a call-up to the England National Game squad, a non-league select eleven.

United have reportedly beaten both Darlington and Rochdale to the signature of Carlton, while Blackpool failed to complete a transfer for the 23-year old in February 2006 when they were unable to agree on a fee with the Shrimps. The Blues seem to have bypassed that problem though, with Danny now being out of contract at Christie Park, although with the player being under the age of 24 Carlisle will have to pay a transfer fee, which may go to a tribunal.

Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy though was unimpressed with the move, McIlroy telling the Morecambe Visitor : "I found out last night. I am disappointed he has gone but we couldn't compete with Carlisle, it's as simple as that. He wants to play at a higher level and we just couldn't compete with Carlisle, we tried, the chairman tried his best and Danny knew I wanted to keep him but his agent had other ideas."

Meanwhile Carlton himself commented on the move : "It was a big decision to make but I have got to think of my own career. It is a step up and I would like to prove myself at the highest level that I can - like most players. I wish Morecambe all the best in the Football League. I will be looking out for the results and will be keeping in touch with my old team-mates. Thanks to the fans for their support."


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