Carlo Nash

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, Nash started his career at local youth club Moss Bank before he joined Manchester United's academy. At age 14 he 'gave up' football for a while to finish his education. He played for non-League Rossendale United and Clitheroe with whom he played in the final of the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium losing 3–0 to Brigg Town. He was signed by Crystal Palace for a fee of £35,000 by manager Dave Bassett.[4] He was a key player for Crystal Palace when they got promoted to the Premier League in 1997, playing in the play-off final victory over Sheffield United.[5] However, in the summer of 1997 Palace signed Kevin Miller from Watford and he was their first choice for Crystal Palace's season in the Premier League,[6] and as a result Nash didn't play at all in the 1997–98 season.[7]

He had a three-year spell with Stockport County after leaving Crystal Palace. Stockport loaned Nash to Wolverhampton Wanderers in late 2000 to provide cover for Michael Oakes.[8] Shortly afterwards he made a move to Manchester City for a fee of £100,000 on a four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2001.[9] Once Manchester City were established as a Premier League team, Nash was sold on to Middlesbrough for a nominal fee in August 2003.[10]

However, after only playing five games for the club in two years, he moved down a division to join Preston North End on a three-and-a-half-year contract in March 2005.[11] He set a club record of 24 clean sheets with Preston during the 2005–06 season, as Preston conceded fewer goals than champions Reading. In July 2006, Nash angered the club's support and management by stating on his personal website that Preston's ambition did not match that of his own. He continued to play as first choice for the club until January 2007 when Fulham contacted him over a proposed move to the London club and he asked Preston to accept a reported £500,000 bid for his services.

However, Preston chairman Derek Shaw denied there was a bid made of this size.[12] Nash was subsequently dropped to the bench for Preston's next game and replaced with Andy Lonergan. As such, it became likely that his future lay away from Deepdale especially as Preston also signed Republic of Ireland keeper Wayne Henderson from Brighton & Hove Albion for £150,000 and extended young keeper Chris Neal's contract until June 2010, effectively making Nash fourth choice keeper.

Nash joined Wigan Athletic on a month-long emergency loan in February 2007, due to injuries to their first and second choice keepers.[13] Following the conclusion of that loan deal, Nash returned to Preston, where he was transfer listed on 8 May.[14] Wigan signed him permanently for a fee of £300,000 on 27 June 2007.[15] On 4 March 2008, Stoke City signed Nash on an emergency loan deal for the remainder of the 2007–08 season following Márton Fülöp's recall to Sunderland.[16] Nash played a vital part in Stoke's promotion to the Premier League with a penalty save against Watford and a number of important saves on the final day of the season against Leicester City.[17][18]

Nash playing for Everton in 2009

Nash moved to Everton, the team he supported as a boy, as reserve goalkeeper to Tim Howard on a two-year contract in September 2008.[19] He was named in the starting line up for the first time for a Europa League tie against BATE Borisov in December 2009, which Everton lost 1–0.

Following Nash's release from Everton he returned to Stoke after signing a one-year contract in July 2010 where he provided back up to Thomas Sørensen and Asmir Begović.[20] On 24 August 2010 Nash made his second début for Stoke in a 2–1 League Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.[21] Nash signed a one-year contract extension at Stoke in January 2011[22] and was subsequently released on a free transfer at the end of the 2012–13 season.[23]

Nash joined Norwich City on 10 July 2013 as a replacement third choice goalkeeper for Jed Steer, providing cover for John Ruddy and Mark Bunn.[24][25] Norwich were relegated at the end of the season, and Nash was released by the club.