“Coming from Wallsend, I was always going to do something in Newcastle.”

Upon hearing those words from Michael Carrick, Newcastle United fans will lament that “doing something” did not involve showcasing his skills in a black-and-white shirt.

It is a blight on NUFC that one of the most-gifted players ever to have emerged from the region and who was on their books as a youngster never represented his boyhood club.

Carrick himself does not hold any regrets about a career which took him from West Ham United, to Tottenham Hotspur and eventually to Manchester United, where he won 12 major trophies in 12 seasons at Old Trafford.

Rather, he acknowledges that his immense success in the North West is the main reason why he has been able to drum up the funds and support to launch the Michael Carrick Foundation.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

His testimonial at Old Trafford last year raised more than £1.5million for his registered charity - and he plans to use that money, plus future funds generated, to finance football projects in Manchester and “back home” in the North East.

Carrick is one of the many famous footballers to have progressed through Wallsend Boys Club, while he was profiled on BBC Live and Kicking back in February 4, 1995, as a future star.

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Back then he was a centre-forward, but it was as a midfielder that Carrick went on to represent his country and star for Man United in the Premier League.

Now Carrick is determined to offer Tyneside children the same opportunities he enjoyed during his childhood.

For me, Wallsend Boys Clubs was a massive part of my childhood,” the recently-retired midfielder said as he launched his ‘Carrick’s Kicks’ programme at North Shields’ The Parks.

“I was fortunate enough to have that on my doorstep. It was a place to grow and develop. It was safe and enjoyable. I learned so many different things, responsibilities and discipline.

“It wasn’t just about the football, it was about growing as a person. I’ve always been conscious of how lucky I was, and I wanted to give something back in some way. This is why we’re here.

“I’ve been thinking for quite some time now how I could give something back. The two cities - Newcastle and Manchester - are close to my heart for so many different reasons. I’ve thought for quite a long time about doing it. It’s something I’m passionate about.

“Coming from Wallsend, I was always going to do something in Newcastle. It was just about putting things in place and doing it right.

“Now we’re in a really good situation. I’m fortunate to be in a position to put things together.”

It was his father, Vince, who first got the midfielder involved with Wallsend Boys Club through his role as a volunteer.

Carrick Snr was present in North Shields alongside his two sons, Michael and Graeme, to officially launch the initiative on Monday - and it was evident that this project means a lot to all three of them.

“The North East was massive for me and I knew from an early age when I was playing I would give something back to the area,” Carrick added.

“I wanted to do something in Manchester, because that’s a massive part of me and where I got the opportunity to launch the Foundation through the testimonial.

“My mum and dad, my brother, my wife and all her family are still here. I get up here as much as I can.

“My kids love coming here. It’s just part of my life, a big part of my life. Even though I left when I was 15 or 16, it’s never left me.

“This was always going to happen. Thankfully, we’ve done it.”

Carrick’s Kicks will officially start in August at sites in both North Shields and Byker.

Delivered by the Newcastle United Foundation, which actually runs programmes at 12 sites across the area, the programme aims to engage young people aged between eight and 19 in playing and coaching opportunities in an effort to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Without the financial support provided by The Michael Carrick Foundation - as well as the far-reaching social media presence of the brand, which is orchestrated by the former Manchester United midfielder’s wife, Lisa - the NUFC Foundation would not be able to provide the support it does to disadvantaged children across Tyneside.

“Michael’s commitment to providing opportunities to the disadvantaged young people living in the same area he was born in and where he started his football career is really special,” Kate Bradley, head of NUFC Foundation, said.

“We are really looking forward to working with the Michael Carrick Foundation to engage even more young people and make an even greater impact with our programme as a result of this support.”

Having retired from playing at the end of last season, Carrick has taken a coaching position at Old Trafford among Jose Mourinho’s staff.

Yet he intends to take a hands-on approach to his charity’s work, too, and has confirmed he will attend Carrick’s Kicks sessions in both Newcastle and Manchester whenever he can.

“It’s good. I can’t believe it’s a year since the testimonial, when it was the major launch of it, really, and where most of the funding came from,” Carrick added.

“Time’s flown by. There’s a lot of work gone on behind the scenes to get to this stage. We’ve set up a scheme in Manchester as well as this scheme along with the Newcastle United Foundation.

“We hope to do some more work in the North East. It’s exciting. It’s a good feeling to be able to give something back. Hopefully, the kids enjoyed it.

“It’s about the kids, it’s not about me or anything like that. It’s about them having fun and developing as human beings.”

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Carrick may have spent the majority of his career away from the North East, but his Wallsend routes have always remained strong - and he hopes his most-important contribution to the area is yet to come through his Foundation’s work.