Albion captain Charlie Oatway has called time on his 13 year professional career after suffering a serious knee injury in his quest to regain match fitness.
Oatway was on the road to recovery after he returned to pre season training at the beginning of July from an ankle injury which had ruled him out for 18 months. But he sustained a knee injury against Billericay two weeks ago and today it was confirmed that the injury is more serious than first thought.
The news of his retirement is a sad one, as he was part of an extremely successful era for the club and has played a very key part in our three promotions, two of which were title winning seasons. It was unlikely he would ever regain his place in the first team although his presence around the training pitch and dressing room will be missed by all around the club as he was such an instrumental figure within the team.
However, Charlie will not be ending all association with the club at all. In fact, he will take on a major role in our community programme so we will still see him around the club. He was offered a job for life by Dick Knight just a few months back for his loyal service as a player and Knight has stuck to his word and awarded him an important role within the club.
Oatway has spoke of his tough decision and told www.seagulls.co.uk:
‘It has been a nightmare over the past year and a half. Having come back from one major injury I was hopeful of making a full return to action but to suffer another just as serious left me facing a difficult decision.
‘It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have made the decision to quit the professional game as I always felt I had a few more years left to offer but I have very little choice for the sake of my future health.
‘The last 18 months or so have been very tough for me but I have been helped through it by my family, friend and the club’s medical staff.
‘The club doctors Tim Stevenson and Alistair Raiman; and the medical staff, Malcolm Stuart, Matt Miller and Kim Eaton, have all been incredibly supportive throughout that time and I cannot thank them enough.’
On behalf of everyone at Vital Brighton, we would like to thank Charlie for his effort and loyalty throughout the years and wish him the best of luck for the future.
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