Former England Striker Andy Carroll Sent Off on Dagenham & Redbridge Debut

Andy Carroll, the former Premier League striker known for his time at Newcastle United and Liverpool, had a challenging debut for his new club Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South. After recovering from a hamstring injury and making a substitute appearance in a heavy defeat, Carroll started his first full match wearing the captain's armband but was sent off with a straight red card just before halftime for a foul during an FA Cup second qualifying round match against Bedford Town. His sending off reduced Dagenham to ten men, allowing Bedford to come back from a one-goal deficit to draw, forcing a replay that Carroll will miss. Carroll's move to Dagenham coincided with the club's takeover by Qatari investors, and as part of the deal, Carroll reportedly acquired a minority ownership stake. Despite the setback, Carroll expressed excitement about joining the club, which is conveniently located near his family. The red card marked the third consecutive game in which Dagenham & Redbridge were reduced to ten players, highlighting ongoing disciplinary issues.