Ex-keeper 'upset over disability'

Mr Carter was an academy coach (photo courtesy Sunderland Echo)

A former Sunderland Football Club goalkeeper who killed himself had a "difficult time" after his son was born with cerebral palsy, an inquest heard.

Tim Carter had hoped for a son who could become a professional footballer, his brother told the hearing.

The body of the ex-Black Cats player was found in bushes in Stretford, Greater Manchester, on 19 June.

South Manchester deputy coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded a verdict that he had taken his own life.

The hearing at Stockport Magistrates' Court was told a week-long family holiday to Spain started badly over a row with an airline about seating arrangements for his son.

It culminated in a "domestic situation" when Mr Carter, 40, left his wife, Gina, his son and his daughter, behind as he flew back, the inquest heard.

What Tim wanted was a son to follow in his footsteps Stephen Carter, deceased's brother

His wife returned the following day on 18 June and alerted police when there was no sign of her husband at the family home in Durham.

There were also some concerns about text messages Mr Carter sent to her shortly before his death, the hearing was told.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police began searching a stretch of the A57 in Greater Manchester early on 19 June after the text messages were traced to the location.

His body was found a few hours later with an obvious neck injury. Post-mortem tests showed he died as a result of asphyxia.

Four hand-written notes to family members were found in his room which showed Mr Carter "had an expectation of death", the hearing was told.

The deceased's brother Stephen Carter told the hearing the football coach had found it "very difficult" to deal with his son's disability.

"What Tim wanted was a son to follow in his footsteps," he said.

'Mr Nice Guy'

Mr Carter said his brother had also spoken about being "effectively demoted" by Sunderland from first-team goalkeeping coach to the youth team.

He added: "His attitude to his job had changed. He had lost all interest to a certain extent at that time."

Recording a verdict that Mr Carter had taken his own life on 18 June, Ms Kearsley said: "It is clear to me considering the notes left and the text messages sent that there were matters playing on his mind at that time.

"Whatever the reason, it is clear that this came out of the blue to his family."

Mr Carter was employed as Sunderland AFC's academy goalkeeping coach at the time of his death.

He played 50 games for the club between 1987 and 1992.

After his death, Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn described him as "Mr Nice Guy" and said his death had "devastated" everyone at the club.

He was capped three times with England's youth squad in 1985 and made his Football League debut for his local team Bristol Rovers aged 18.

Mr Carter joined Sunderland on Christmas Eve in 1987 and went on to appear for Newport County, Carlisle United, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Hartlepool United, Millwall, Blackpool and Oxford.

He ended his playing days in 1999 at Halifax Town.