Charlie Trafford Retires On A High With Cavalry

After helping Cavalry make Canadian football history by scoring in a first leg victory against Liga MX giant PUMAS this spring, Canadian midfielder Charlie Trafford is announcing his retirement to focus on a flourishing urban farming business taking root in the Calgary area.

The 32-year-old had an eleven year career of which the last three seasons came in hometown Calgary, where he suited up 84 times under the guidance of head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr and laid claim to the club’s first-ever playoff championship win last year, and a regular season win the year before.

Trafford first arrived on a two-year deal back in 2022, later extending that through the current season with a club option for a further year, though he now leaves early on good terms with the side. His retirement comes eleven years after making his first professional appearance with Finnish side IFK Mariehamn. He would play through three other clubs in Finland before testing himself in Poland with Korona Kielce (where Dominick Zator now plays) and Sandecja Nowy Sacz, later jumping to Scotland to join Caledonian Thistle, whom he helped to a Scottish Challenger Cup in 2018.

In the last few years before Cavalry called him home, Trafford also suited up for Hamilton Academical and Wrexham AFC, who were famously purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. He also made three appearances for the Canadian national team, replacing Kyle Bekker on a roster in 2015 and making his debut against Ghana.

“It has been an honour being part of Charlie’s playing journey,” says head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, who played a large part in both the launch and end of Trafford’s playing career.

“I got to work with him as a young player at Calgary Foothills, then watch him embark on his professional journey overseas with admiration, until I was finally able to convince him to return home and help us continue to grow the game here and win some trophies together. He has made a huge impact on my life as a coach and a human being. As a truly exceptional character with an incredible competitive edge, he passes on the number six jersey to the next generation with a huge sense of pride.”

When Trafford signed with Cavalry in 2022, it didn’t take him long to make an impression: he donned the armband while team captain Marco Carducci was sidelined at the start of the campaign, featuring for 26 matches and getting the opportunity to play alongside his cousin Mason Trafford.

The following season saw him up that to 29 appearances, including every minute of the club’s playoff journey to an extra-time final, with last season seeing him suit up 27 times, including four matches against MLS opposition like during the Cavalry’s continental debut against Orlando City. Trafford featured in both legs against them, and this year did the same against Pumas, scoring the winner in the first leg and making CPL history in the process.

Despite reaching new career highs on the pitch, Charlie now ventures off it – but big career ambitions aren’t over for the entrepreneur, who launched Trafford Farms with his sister in 2023.

The Canadian midfielder’s journey from pitch to produce has been simmering for a long time, as it turns out. While the company itself is fairly young, the Trafford siblings’ launch of the gourmet mushroom company was a project which took over five years before the first mushroom sprouted.

“It’s incredible,” Trafford said on a podcast session with Jeff Humphreys. “We want to make high quality food accessible year-round and not have to ship it at all, so we’re trying to grow locally and grow affordable, high quality stuff that is attainable for people here.”

The company, which got its start when Trafford and his sister grew frustrated with the quality of local produce while visiting hometown Calgary earlier in their careers, launched in Calgary two years ago and now opened a second location in Didsbury. Supplying gourmet mushrooms to the restaurant side, they’re also tackling the retail market with sustainably grown, local produce – and so far, it’s proving a hit – and what’s Calgary’s gourmet gain will have to be Cavalry’s loss.

“It’s hard to put this emotion into words. I’m sad, scared, proud, and excited all at once,” says Trafford.

“Soccer has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. It gave me unforgettable joy and equally tough pain. It taught me everything that I know and helped me grow through setbacks and celebrate triumphs. It’s made me who I am and given me the tools and community to step into my next chapter. I’d like to thank my parents, the entire Spruce Meadows organization, Tommy, every teammate, and brother I’ve shared the locker room with, my family, wife, friends, coaches, and mentors, and Cavalry’s incredible fans. I’m stepping away from playing, but the game will always be a part of me.”

It’s no secret that Charlie Trafford’s absence will be felt by Cavalry, but it seems the 32-year-old Calgary native won’t be too far from ATCO Field. We imagine there’ll be no short supply of fans keen on buying him a beverage whenever he takes in a match.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques