by Michael
Bascombe
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 22, 2011 - Another stalwart in Grenadian football has announced his retirement
at the international level.
In a tweet
on Wednesday, Midfielder Ricky “Curry” Charles thanked all those who have
assisted him in his football career spanning about two decades.
Charles’
announcement follows that of his long-standing captain Anthony “Nixon” Modeste
who informed peers and officials about his retirement from international
football after playing against Guatemala in Grenada’s final group stage game in
the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup last Monday.
“I finally
decided to call it a day at the international level. I just needed some time to
think about it,” said Charles.
Charles,
who turned 36 last Sunday, played high school football for the Happy Hill
Secondary School under coach Franklyn “Nat” Simpson and continued playing club
football for Queen’s Park Rangers.
The stylish
midfielder also played college football in the United States for Bryant &
Stratton and the University of South Carolina-Spantanburg, and was inducted
into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Soccer Hall of
Fame in 2007. He also played for the then New Hampshire Phantoms and the
Brooklyn Knights in the Premier Development League.
In 2001, he
won the Most Valuable Player Award when Bryant & Stratton defeated Yavapai
College 3-2 to win the NJCAA Division 1 Championship.
The
Grenadian international also played semi-professional football in Trinidad and
Tobago (St Ann’s Rangers) and in Antigua (Parham FC).
Charles,
who also had a trial with English team West Bromwich Albion in 1996, has played
in 12 qualifying matches for various FIFA World Cups, scoring eight goals.
Charles
said that he will continue to play a role in developing football in his country
and is prepared to assist if called upon.
“It was a
great 20 years of representing my country to the best of my ability and I’ll
continue to do so in any way possible,” he said.
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