Andy Carroll, once England international and Liverpool’s 2011 record signing to replace Fernando Torres, now 37, co‑owns National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge and has just disclosed a harrowing episode from 2021.
Carroll says a man he describes as a ‘famous friend’ of his ex‑girlfriend assaulted him sexually five years ago, and the perpetrator later received a three‑year prison term for sexual offences.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle forward has released his memoir, ‘Owning It’, adding the traumatic incident at the last minute after extensive talks with his publisher and his current partner.
He admits discussing the assault remains extremely hard. ‘I was sexually assaulted,’ he writes, recalling that the attack occurred the night after a Newcastle match when the assailant arrived at his home, claiming he was a friend of his then‑girlfriend and prepared drinks in the kitchen.
Carroll felt dizzy, wondering if his girlfriend’s friend had slipped something into his drink. He let the man stay in the guest room, fell asleep, and awoke to find him under the duvet attempting oral sex.
He struck the intruder and forced him out before calling police and a babysitter.
The attacker was later convicted of sexual crimes, sentenced to three years, entered the sex‑offender register and barred from entering Carroll’s hometown.
Carroll describes the legal process as humiliating, shameful and utterly horrific, noting the accused denied everything. The two‑year case was known only to his then‑partner and her family, and Carroll broke down uncontrollably when the verdict was delivered.
The trauma still haunts him, even affecting his focus on football. After discussing it with his partner Lou Teasdale, they decided public disclosure could help others. ‘If sharing this helps even one person, it will have been worth it,’ he writes. In my view, Carroll’s courage sets a powerful example.
In ‘Owning It’ he also details battles with alcohol and reveals his wages once rose to £200,000 a week (€233,000). He pleaded not guilty to breaching a restraining order after being accused of repeatedly calling ex‑partner reality‑TV star Billi Mucklow; the trial is slated for January next year.
Liverpool paid Newcastle €41 million in 2011 to secure Carroll, a record fee at the time, but injuries hampered his impact and he later moved to West Ham, Newcastle again, Reading, West Brom, Amiens, Bordeaux and finally Dagenham & Redbridge. Will his story inspire clubs to prioritize player welfare over transfer hype?