PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Less then two weeks ahead of the start of the new Pro League season, Guyanese international Charles Pollard has made a surprise departure from Joe Public after failing to secure a guarantee of regular playing time. The veteran defender joined Joe Public from Caledonia AIA in January with the hopes of ending his career with the reigning Pro League champions.
But with Joe Public having signed a plethora of younger defenders during the off-season, Pollard said it was clear he would have less time on the pitch than he preferred.
“I wasn’t guaranteed much playing time. I think it’s hard to accept less playing time in a league that I’ve dominated for the past years,” Pollard said.
“We have ended our relationship on mutual consent and I’m now a free agent. I know that with my leadership qualities and knowledge of the game it can be a great contribution to any team but I want to play out this year because I’m looking at coaching next season.”
The 36-year-old, hard-tackling Pollard featured in two matches for Joe Public in the first round of the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship last month in St Vincent, where the T&T club made a clean sweep of Group C.
He was also expected to feature in the second round which began last evening here against Walking Boys of Suriname and System 3 of St Vincent.
Joe Public coach Derek King conceded it would have been difficult to afford Pollard added playing time especially with the new signings the club had made.
“Pollard left on good terms. We just couldn’t assist him right now,” King said.
“We have young legs in players such as Abu Bakr and Kareem Moses and Pollard wasn’t of that fitness. We really brought him in to fill gaps during the League and the CONCACAF Champions League which we intend to be a part of.”
Pollard, who has in the past played for top sides San Juan Jabloteh and W Connection, said while the lure of Champions League was tempting, he wanted his final season to be played out on the pitch.
“It’s unfortunate to an extent because I could have contributed a lot in the CONCACAF tournament but as I said before I wasn’t ready to retire to the bench,” he stressed.
Pollard said he was currently in talks with another club and would be joining them within a week.