Disgraced footy player Todd Carney has inked a deal to captain-coach part-timers Byron Bay Red Devils next season.
Carney, 32, who made his first grade debut with Canberra in 2004, was an undoubted talent, but a series of alcohol related indiscretions at numerous NRL clubs halted his progress.
After Carney was sacked by the Raiders in 2009, he moved to Sydney, signing with the Roosters.
He quickly produced his career best form, winning the Dally M Medal as well as guiding the Tricolours to the grand final.
Todd Carney (centre) with Mercedes Corby and Schapelle Corby (right) at a Bali bar – the former NRL star will turn out for Byron Bay in 2019
A vile ‘bubbler’ incident in 2014 which was widely circulated on social media, saw Carney (pictured) sacked by Cronulla
Todd Carney (pictured) in his playing days with Cronulla – the 32-year-old will captain-coach Byron Bay next season
The five-eighth then linked up with Cronulla, before the club ripped up his contract in 2014 after a vile ‘bubbler’ incident at a pub, which generated unwanted global headlines.
With the NRL refusing to register future contract offers, Carney moved to the English Super League, representing Catalans, Salford and Hull KR up until this year.
Carney’s impending move to the NSW north coast town will raise plenty of eyebrows.
As Twitter user Aj Stewart cynically pointed out, Byron is a ‘nice quiet town with no temptations.. it is a good option for him, hope he does well. ‘
Todd Carney (right) with Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce – the two played together at the Roosters
Twitter user Aj Stewart has questioned the logic behind Todd Carney’s move to captain-coach Byron Bay next year
Another twitter user believes Carney’s move to the NSW north coast could be a disaster
Veteran channel 9 journalist Danny Weidler tweeted the news on Wednesday night
‘It’s an exciting opportunity for me to put something back into the game and I’m looking forward to it,’ Carney told Wide World of Sports.
‘I would have loved to play on in the NRL but then this chance came up and I decided to take it.’
Ben Webber, the Byron Bay Red Devils president, believes securing the services of Carney is ‘a great thing for the club.’
‘We have been in talks with Todd on and off for a few months,’ he said.
‘We’ve known each other for a while now, and I’d suggested to him that when he was finished with the NRL, he should come to Byron Bay.
‘There is life after (professional) football.’
Todd Carney (second from right) with NRL players Wade Graham (left) and Mitchell Pearce
Todd Carney (right) with Knights duo Mitchell Pearce (left) and Shaun Kenny-Dowall (second from right)