January 20, 2023...Wonderful Mr Wilson: A Celebration of a Club Leader, Warrior and Hero (from York United FC website)

WONDERFUL MR WILSON: A CELEBRATION OF A CLUB LEADER, WARRIOR AND HERO

The charismatic midfielder has announced his retirement from the game.

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND

For all of York United FC's local players, informal training sessions have been underway since last
Monday. It's a chance to dust off the cobwebs, reconnect with team-mates and slowly build towards
the 2023 campaign.

It says a lot about Jordan Wilson that even though he decided on retiring a few months ago, he's still
turned up to every single session. And until he's told to politely head off into the sunset, he's going
to keep turning up to every single session.

The reason? He wants to see his friends, he wants to keep pushing them and motivating them. And he also
can't quite shake the love for this game and this group.

"There’s nothing like it," he says, reflecting on his decision to step away.

"The boys every morning before training. All the jokes and good vibes. You become brothers really quickly
and those bonds last even after you stop playing or play for different teams. It’s special."

It's hard to explain the impact Wilson had on The Nine Stripes in just two years with the club.

Arriving as an experienced name, he proved an inevitable mentor for a collection of raw and developing
youngsters. That role is a demanding one. It requires a discipline, an innate patience and a particular
communicative style. Wilson was a natural. Never did he undermine or talk down. It was a conversation.
Mutual. Collaborative. He built a trust, a bond. So subsequently, when he spoke, it was to a captive
audience. His words carried a special significance. And he was their biggest cheerleader too, constantly
name-checking and praising younger players and their performances during interviews or post-game
press conferences.

Perhaps most importantly, Wilson was also the go-to team cbarber. Anyone needing a quick, bespoke trim
would seek him out after training and take their seat in the hastily-assembled, makeshift salon deep
in the bowels of Ontario Soccer Centre. Footballers are notoriously protective of their hair, so it speaks
volumes that so many teammates - especially the immensely picky younger ones - respected and trusted
Wilson's shaping and styling skills so much.

Over the past two seasons, his charisma and charm has led to him becoming a standout personality for
the club. Arguably, this began even before he played a single minute with York. After all, it takes
somebody with a great deal of self-confidence to perform a Magic Mike routine during his initiation.

Air Jordan: a man for the big occasion but there was more to Wilson than impressive numbers.

STANDING TALL

With dashing good looks, a killer smile and an intellect to match, he's effortlessly blossomed into
an excellent TV analyst. His eloquence and sharp insights have led to numerous media appearances
over the past few years and his opinions are always astute, cogent and refreshing. But sometimes
it's easy to just be a talker: a big presence and loud voice. But that's why Wilson was adored
by the more experienced members of the York United squad too. He wasn't only a mouth or a motivator.
He could play too.

Signed as a central midfielder, he spent much of his two seasons as a centre-back owing to injuries,
suspensions or both. And regardless of his position, he was a consistently impressive performer.
In total, across all competitions, he managed 57 appearances (fifth in the club's all-time list)
and scored six times (eighth all-time).

When it came to finding the net, he was a man for the big occasion. The circumstances of his final
strike - in his final appearance for the team last October - were fitting. On the road in Ottawa,
the side trailed 2-1 to Atletico with ten minutes remaining. Coming back from two goals down,
the group had rallied magnificently in the second half with Osaze De Rosario pulling one back just
after the hour mark. And then it was left to Wilson to pounce from about six yards after a ball bounced
generously into his path. He controlled expertly and calmly slotted to the net. It was yet another
decisive moment from him, following on from a winner in the 3-2 home victory against FC Edmonton back
in August. His goal contributions in 2021 tell a similar story. There was an injury-time equalizer
at home to Atletico and an 82nd-minute headed leveller in a 2-2 clash with Pacific FC during the early
stages of the campaign.

When the team needed help and their back was against the wall, Wilson stood tall. And his team-mates
followed.

Jordan Wilson is retiring from the game but his legacy as a York United FC legend has long been cemented.

A SPECIAL PERSON

The numbers only tell half the story.

Wilson's legacy is his impact and influence on those around him. He energized every room he walked into.
When he dispensed advice, everybody listened. No word was wasted. He had their backs, always.

Before Diyaeddine Abzi's final home game for the club ahead of his move to French second-tier side Pau FC,
Wilson wanted to show his respect. He hunted down Abzi's first ever York shirt - from back in 2019
- and wore it to the game. Because, of course.

“Jordan is a really special guy and if you look at social media you’ll see so many of our young players
showing huge love, respect and affection for him," says Angus McNab, York United FC's CEO/President and GM.

"His ability to be hard as nails and demand more from teammates, yet do so with real warmth and care for
everyone was an absolute superpower in our dressing room. We’ll all miss him but he assures me he won’t
be far away - and that’s something I’m really glad to hear."

When Martin Nash arrived as the team's Head Coach, he found Wilson's work ethic and general demeanour
to be a blessing. He was a reliable player and person, always giving and always willing.

"Jordan was a coaches' dream," says Nash.

"A quality player and warrior that gave everything he had every day. A great person and fantastic teammate,
both on and off the pitch."

When you speak to players about Wilson, there's one word that crops up quite a bit: special.

"Jordan was a player everyone would want in their team," says goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos.

"He's someone who always looked at the glass half-full. When you're trying to establish a positive team
culture, it's so important to have a guy like Jordan. He was a fighter. And when times were tough, you knew
you could rely on him - both on and off the field. When we were in a particularly tough game, you could
look to an experienced player like Jordan, make eye contact with him and you'd just know you could get
through it. There was always a positive spin. You could always lean on him for advice, and a lot of the
young guys would gravitate towards him for that and you can never underestimate and undervalue how crucial
that is for our club."

"I love the guy. I really hope he continues to be involved in the game because he's just a special person
and I'm glad I got to share a couple of seasons with him."

We all are.

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