Post by QPR Report on Oct 16, 2008 7:56:44 GMT
Incredibly sad. Reminds of the Dave Clement tragedy - and really puts much of the stuff we discuss and football in general into some perspective. 
Bristol Evening Post - 16/10/2008 - Bristol City and Rovers keeper's suicide
Former Bristol Rovers and Bristol City goalkeeper Tim Carter killed himself during a "difficult time" following the birth of his son who had cerebral palsy, an inquest has heard.He had hoped for a son who would follow in his footsteps as a professional footballer, his brother told the hearing yesterday.
Mr Carter hanged himself from a tree near a lay-by a day after he returned alone to the UK from a family holiday in Majorca, Spain.
South Manchester deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley was told the week-long break started badly over a row with an airline about seating arrangements for his son on the outbound flight.
It culminated in a "domestic situation" when Mr Carter, 40, left his wife, Gina, his son and his daughter behind when he flew back, the inquest heard.
His wife returned the following day on June 18 and alerted police when there was no sign of her husband at the family home in Durham.
There was also some concerns about the content of text messages sent to her by Mr Carter shortly before his death, the hearing was told. His body was found in bushes in Stretford, Manchester, on June 19.
A blue nylon rope was discovered hanging from the branch of a tree and Mr Carter's body was beneath it lying in undergrowth.
Mr Carter had the rare distinction of playing in the position of goalkeeper for both of Bristol's professional football clubs.
Born in Bristol, he made his Football League debut for Rovers, aged 18, in 1985.
He went on to become the side's first choice shot-stopper until a £35,000 move to Sunderland on Christmas Eve, 1987, where he stayed until 1992. But he was back in the West again when he played three games for Bristol City, as a loan player.
The 40-year-old was Sunderland's first-team goalkeeping coach before the arrival of ex-Manchester United star Raimond Van Der Gouw last summer, and later became academy goal-keeping coach.
Mrs Carter's brother-in-law John Redfern told the inquest he and his wife met up briefly with the couple in Majorca.
He said they had "not had a good week" which ended in the "domestic situation" when Mr Carter travelled home alone after the holiday.
"Gina was upset that he had gone to the airport without her and the kids," he said.
He added he did not believe Mr Carter had got over the incident involving the airline and his four-year-old son.
After his death, four hand-written notes to family members were found in his laptop computer case.
The contents of the notes were not read out at the inquest held at Stockport Magistrates' Court, but Acting Chief Inspector Robert Tonge, of Greater Manchester Police, said they showed Mr Carter "had an expectation of death".
The deceased's brother, Stephen Carter, said he saw Mr Carter at a family party about a month before his death and did not detect any cause for concern. However, he said he was aware that he had experienced problems over his son's condition.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Ms Kearsley said: "It is clear to me considering the notes left and the messages sent that there were matters playing on his mind at that time."
www.atthegate.co.uk/news/Bristol-City-and-Rovers-keeper-s-suicide.aspx
Bristol Evening Post - 16/10/2008 - Bristol City and Rovers keeper's suicide
Former Bristol Rovers and Bristol City goalkeeper Tim Carter killed himself during a "difficult time" following the birth of his son who had cerebral palsy, an inquest has heard.He had hoped for a son who would follow in his footsteps as a professional footballer, his brother told the hearing yesterday.
Mr Carter hanged himself from a tree near a lay-by a day after he returned alone to the UK from a family holiday in Majorca, Spain.
South Manchester deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley was told the week-long break started badly over a row with an airline about seating arrangements for his son on the outbound flight.
It culminated in a "domestic situation" when Mr Carter, 40, left his wife, Gina, his son and his daughter behind when he flew back, the inquest heard.
His wife returned the following day on June 18 and alerted police when there was no sign of her husband at the family home in Durham.
There was also some concerns about the content of text messages sent to her by Mr Carter shortly before his death, the hearing was told. His body was found in bushes in Stretford, Manchester, on June 19.
A blue nylon rope was discovered hanging from the branch of a tree and Mr Carter's body was beneath it lying in undergrowth.
Mr Carter had the rare distinction of playing in the position of goalkeeper for both of Bristol's professional football clubs.
Born in Bristol, he made his Football League debut for Rovers, aged 18, in 1985.
He went on to become the side's first choice shot-stopper until a £35,000 move to Sunderland on Christmas Eve, 1987, where he stayed until 1992. But he was back in the West again when he played three games for Bristol City, as a loan player.
The 40-year-old was Sunderland's first-team goalkeeping coach before the arrival of ex-Manchester United star Raimond Van Der Gouw last summer, and later became academy goal-keeping coach.
Mrs Carter's brother-in-law John Redfern told the inquest he and his wife met up briefly with the couple in Majorca.
He said they had "not had a good week" which ended in the "domestic situation" when Mr Carter travelled home alone after the holiday.
"Gina was upset that he had gone to the airport without her and the kids," he said.
He added he did not believe Mr Carter had got over the incident involving the airline and his four-year-old son.
After his death, four hand-written notes to family members were found in his laptop computer case.
The contents of the notes were not read out at the inquest held at Stockport Magistrates' Court, but Acting Chief Inspector Robert Tonge, of Greater Manchester Police, said they showed Mr Carter "had an expectation of death".
The deceased's brother, Stephen Carter, said he saw Mr Carter at a family party about a month before his death and did not detect any cause for concern. However, he said he was aware that he had experienced problems over his son's condition.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Ms Kearsley said: "It is clear to me considering the notes left and the messages sent that there were matters playing on his mind at that time."
www.atthegate.co.uk/news/Bristol-City-and-Rovers-keeper-s-suicide.aspx
