John Carver was the Academy director six years ago when Andy Carroll almost slipped through Newcastle United’s fingers.
John Carver: “He was being played as a left-back and he was almost out of the door.
“I had not long been at the Academy as director shortly after Bobby Robson had left but, with his left foot and his towering size, even at that age, I thought it was a no-brainer to at least offer him a two-year scholarship.
“There were one or two people sat round the table who did not think he had what it took to be a player, but I thought differently.
“As I was the director of the Academy, I had the final say.
“So he stayed on.
“I don’t know if he was ever going to be a left-back, given his eye for goal!
“Since I have moved on you have to give enormous credit to those who helped him go on and develop.
“It is certainly not just down to me or one person.
“It is down to the excellence of the staff at the Academy, then through the reserves and the first team.
“Especially Chris Hughton who, in the last couple of years, has done a magnificent job with him.
“Andy has so much potential and he deserves his opportunity.
“He is more like Big Dunc as he is a big man with good feet, but he also has that aerial ability – and that lethal left foot – just like Dunc.
“He reminds me of Alan as well in the way he rises for headers and attacks the ball.”