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Calgary born 21-year-old midfielder Charlie Trafford is an up and coming Canadian player who has recently been playing professionally with De Graafschap in Holland and IFK Mariehamn in Finland.
RedNation recently had the chance to catch up with Trafford to discuss his recent experiences playing in the Veikkausliiga with IFK Mariehamn and his developmental years with the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency and York University.
RedNation Online (RNO): Like long time Canadian International Kevin McKenna, you are from Calgary, Alberta. What type of youth development did you have as a young soccer player in Calgary?
Charlie Trafford: I was very fortunate to have worked with some great coaches and clubs. Being exposed to European coaching throughout my youth was very influential. First with Nick Koev and then a very important spell with Foothills (4years) under Tommy Wheeldon Jr before making my move to Vancouver to play in the Whitecaps Residency.
RNO: You played CIS men's soccer at York University. How was it playing under Head Coach Carmine Isacco?
Charlie Trafford: I have nothing but great things to say about Carm. A great person and an incredible coach and it shows in the success that he's had. He was great for my development and exposed me to new coaching, situations and challenges.
RNO: Your path to a professional career is a little bit different than that of many other players. Often players who have been on the cusp of going professional but who have found their options limited have then opted to go to a Canadian University. Interestingly, you appear to have used your collegiate career as a springboard to professional soccer in Europe. How well did your training at university prepare you to go abroad and compete in the very competitive environment that is Europe?
Charlie Trafford: I was a very late developer physically, although I was technically and tactically very strong. But the physical setback made it tough to make the jump over to Europe before now. Carmine had me playing in the CSL during my time there as well. So together, it just gave me that extra time I needed to develop physically and pick up all the final tools before heading over. It was also very important to me to get a university education during that period.
RNO: You played previously in Holland with de Graafschap and are now in the middle of your first season with IFK Mariehamn in Finland. A number of Canadian players – David Monsalve, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Tosaint Ricketts, Mason Trafford - have played in Finland in recent years and excelled while there. Do you think there a particular reason why so many young Canadian players have been choosing to ply their trade in the Finnish league?
Charlie Trafford: Finnish football, as well as the culture in Finland, is quite similar to that of North America. This makes the transition quite easy. As well, with a less strict foreign player rule, I think a lot of foreigners use it as a stepping stone to the European standard. It is a great spot for players to be exposed to 1st division European football and to get their foot in the door into the European market.
RNO: Your cousin Mason Trafford previously played for Mariehamn and is well regarded at the club. Is it a coincidence that you are now playing for the same team or did the Trafford name make a difference when you were negotiating to join the club?
Charlie Trafford: This was no coincidence. Mason Trafford set up my move to IFK. He spent nearly 3 years at IFK so he has a very good relationship with the club. With a few injuries at the club and after seeing some video on me, they invited me out to see the club and train. Within two days they wanted to make an offer. After talks with Mason, we thought it would be a good move for my development and for getting lots of game experience. So I chose to sign.
RNO: What did Mason tell you about Mariehamn prior to your going to Finland? Did his experience there play any role in your decision to join Mariehamn?
Charlie Trafford: Mason had nothing but good things to say about the club. As I mentioned, he set up the move and sold it as a great club and a good stepping stone for my career. It did help that he had played there. That made the transition very easy, almost like the team knew me before arriving. He did set up some big shoes to fill but I enjoy the challenge.
RNO: You joined Mariehamn in the middle of the summer. How long did it take you get integrated into the team and when did you start playing regular minutes?
Charlie Trafford: I flew into Mariehamn on Monday morning and played 90 minutes on Wednesday. So I was getting regular minutes right away. It was really nice actually and allowed no time to think too much. I was just thrown straight into the action. A debut win was ideal and adding a goal it made even more special. The group of boys at the club are brilliant and something you don't find very often in professional football - a family, tight nit group. Within the first day, I was integrated in and the transition was very smooth.
Charlie Trafford Highlights in Veikkausliiga debut vs JJK:
RNO: What are your thoughts on how the club has performed since your arrival and do you think you will be staying with Mariehamn for 2014?
Charlie Trafford: I think the 4th place is very disappointing. With the players we have, a top 3 finish and a Europa league birth was definitely within reach. Like any team we had our ups and downs. We performed well. But in the end, I would have to say I was disappointed with the finish. I haven't signed for next season, but I’m still in negotiations with the club. I really enjoyed my time at the club, so we will have to see what happens in the next couple weeks.
RNO: Your current Mariehamn teammate Roger Thompson played with a different club in the Finnish 2nd division last year. How beneficial has it been to have another Canadian on the roster who already has experience playing and living in Finland?
Charlie Trafford: Again, the group is so close that you don't need to stick to a "clique" per say. I got along really well with Roger Thompson and it was nice to have another Canadian on the team for a little extra banter, but it wasn't something that I would I say I was desperate for to make the transition easier.
RNO: Just looking at the experiences of the previously mentioned Canadian players, it appears that the Veikkausliiga is a good league for the development of a young player such as yourself. What has the experience there been like compared to your time in soccer environments in North America?
Charlie Trafford: It is a first division European league and has the possibility of Champions League and Europa league qualifications. With a similar style of play to that in North America, it is also a great league for players to get their foot in the door and try to break into the European market. It makes for a nice transition into Europe, adapting to the speed of play, physical aspects and the atmosphere of European football, without feeling to out of place from a North American lifestyle and style of football.
RNO: What are your future goals? Are there other leagues in Europe that are of particular interest to you?
Charlie Trafford: Lots of goals and dreams. For now I'm just working hard and enjoying the football. I want to play consistent footbalI and really focus on my development. I’m just trying to get better every day and see where the career can take me. I would love to represent my country one day, Canada or even Poland. And finally, in the back of my mind, one day I would love to play at Old Trafford. Trafford at Old Trafford.
RNO: Mariehamn have finished 4th in back to back seasons and have established themselves as a club near the top of the table. What do you think it will take for the team to make that next jump into the top 3 spots in the Veikkausliiga?
Charlie Trafford: They were very unlucky with injuries this year, which is unfortunate but part of the challenge. I think they just need a bit of consistency. They seem to cycle players in and out every season, which creates the challenge of building a solid core, trust and chemistry within the team and coaches. The Veikkausliiga is a competitive league and I think IFK will break into that top 3 spot very soon.
Charlie Trafford Highlights vs Club Brugge:
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