December 20, 2023...'Nothing Beats Playing for your Hometown Club': Captain Roger Thompson Announces Retirement (from York United FC website)

December 20, 2023...'Nothing Beats Playing for your Hometown Club': Captain Roger Thompson Announces Retirement
(from York United FC website)

'NOTHING BEATS PLAYING FOR YOUR HOMETOWN CLUB': CAPTAIN ROGER THOMPSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
The 32-year-old has been a crucial part of The Nine Stripes since the club's inaugural season.

LEADER, CAPTAIN, OG.
Long-time York United FC skipper Roger Thompson has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32.

The centre-back has been an integral part of The Nine Stripes since the club's inaugural Canadian Premier League season in 2019 and has contributed enormously over his five campaigns.

Overall, Thompson made 60 appearances for the side and although injuries interrupted him quite regularly, he managed over 1,000 CPL minutes across the past two seasons under Martin Nash - the most he played for the side since 2019.

A leader both inside and outside the locker room, Thompson was handed the captain's armband ahead of the 2021 season and subsequently led the team into many high-profile battles, including the 2021 Canadian Championship clash with Toronto FC at BMO Field and the quarter-final away clash with Pacific FC the following year, when he popped up with a towering header in the 2-2 draw that his side eventually went on to win a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

But he arguably saved the best until (almost) last.

BIG PLAYER, BIG MOMENTS.
With the club pushing hard to make the 2023 playoffs, they headed to Halifax knowing a victory would give them a big chance of reaching the postseason for just the second time in York United FC history. However, things didn't go according to script and they conceded after half an hour. Before half-time, Austin Ricci levelled affairs and on 63 minutes, Thompson - who had already revealed to the coaching staff that he needed to be replaced because of injury - slowly made his way forward, one last time, to lend his imposing frame to a free-kick on the right side. Mo Babouli expertly floated it to the far stick and Thompson dispatched superbly via the inside of the near post. It was his very first CPL goal and what a time to get it. The visitors held out for a gutsy road win and would seal their place in the playoffs with back-to-back wins in their final two regular season fixtures.

Ultimately, Thompson was unable to participate in the showdown with Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium due to fitness issues but that special moment at Wanderers Grounds will live long in the memory. As will his overall dedication to the club.

"Roger is a fantastic person who was a great leader for this club," says Martin Nash, Head Coach of York United FC.

"When I arrived here, I wanted to get him on the pitch more and try to manage the injuries a little bit. We were careful with him, just because we recognized the impact he had when involved with the group and the influence he wielded on and off the field. In the locker room, he was a quiet leader - there was no screaming or shouting because he didn't have to say much for it to carry an impact: he carried that much respect from his team-mates. As a player, he was a calm presence and always so comfortable on the ball with a terrific range of passing. It's always frustrating when injuries take their toll but I know how much Roger valued playing at home and I hope he made some special memories during his time with us. Everyone at the club wishes him nothing but the very best."

THE NEXT CHAPTER
"It’s never easy to step away from what I love and been doing for the past 12 years but the injuries over the past two years slowed me down from playing week in and week out," Thompson says.

"It’s been great being a part of the club for its 5-year history during the ups and downs but appreciated the fans sticking around through it all. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to win a title together but I will be around to see us accomplish that in the near future. Nothing beats playing for your hometown club. My plan is to stay connected and help us grow in any way I can, building relationships and showing our young kids that they can dream of playing for York United someday."

Thank you, Rog. For everything.

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