Farewell Clayton - Thanks for the memories
saddlers.co.uk
AFTER a glittering professional career that has spanned more than two decades, two continents, promotions and a World Cup, Clayton Ince is finally hanging up his gloves.
The 37 year-old's career has been full of twists and turns, taking him to places he could only dream of as a youngster growing up in The Royal Borough of Arima, the fourth largest town in Trinidad and Tobago.
Back then, the impressionable youngster had only one dream and it was a small dream at that. He wanted to play football for his local team. Ironically for a guy whose career has surpassed even his wildest of dreams, he didn't quite achieve that - but he definitely doesn't have any complaints.
As a teenager Ince enrolled in the T & T Army. As with many of the more athletic cadets, he started to play for Defence Force FC, the nation's most successful football club, who have strong ties with the armed forces (hence the team name).
He soon earned a reputation as one of the Caribbean's hottest goalkeeping prospects and, alongside the likes of Dwight Yorke, enjoyed his first football experience outside of his homeland when he represented T & T at the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championships.
That was the start of big things for the then 19 year-old.
"Looking back I can't believe that was nearly 20 years ago," he recalls. "I remember my early years in football quite well. It was different back then. At first I always wanted to play for my local team.
"After playing for Defence Force I got into the national team and played in a couple of tournaments in the Caribbean. I played in the World Youth Cup in Portugal with Dwight Yorke in 1991 and just couldn't believe my luck. I was a teenager and I was playing football and travelling around. It was a great time."
Ince's travels certainly didn't stop there. After a few years in the National League and in tournaments for his country, he arrived on these shores in 1997. His destination wasn't the most obvious at first glance - Wrexham - but in the late 1990's it became synonymous with T & T's rising stars. Ince was, in fact, the catalyst for this. His profile back home had risen and he now had an agent - Mike Berry.
By sheer coincidence, Berry's cousin was Joey Jones, the former Liverpool and Wales defender. Jones was on the coaching staff at Wrexham and Berry convinced him to take a look at his young protégé. That was the start of a strong, if unlikely, bond between the Red Dragons and the Soca Warriors.
"I was the first player to come over from Trinidad to link up with Wrexham," he continued. "I had a season, sort of on loan, and it went really well. I had a few friends back home who were all very good players. It was me who recommended the likes of Carlos Edwards, Dennis Lawrence and Hector Sam.
"Mike Berry acted as an agent for us all and that's why, for a few seasons, Wrexham became a little part of the Caribbean!"
From Wrexham, Ince made the move to Crewe Alexandra in 1999. He was understudy to Jason Kearton and had to bide his time for a regular spot in the Alex line-up. He did just that though and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Gresty Road club. It was in the days of Dario Gradi and Championship football and was a time that Ince 'loved', culminating in him meeting his hero.
"From Wrexham I went to Crewe. I loved it there. We were playing in what is now known as The Championship against big teams. It was amazing. My time at Crewe meant I could tick off another box. We played against Manchester City in the FA Cup. They had Nicolas Anelka up front, who was their biggest star. For me though, it was Peter Schmeichel. He was in goal (for City) that day and he was my idol. It was amazing to be on the same pitch as him."
Ince went on to make 123 appearances in six years and also began to establish himself as a member of the T & T senior team. They were great days but, with the World Cup of 2006 on the horizon, he decided to try his hand elsewhere. A move to Coventry City in 2005 followed but things didn't work out as planned. The move almost scuppered his World Cup dreams but thankfully T & T coach Leo Beenhakker kept faith with him and Ince made it to Germany. Although he didn't play in the Tournament, it is the 'proudest achievement' of his career.
"When you play for a country like Trinidad, you never think of the World Cup. To get there with my country, the smallest to ever be in the Finals, is something you take real pride in.
"All the players who represented Trinidad & Tobago always say it's their proudest achievement and I'm the same.
"I grew up with Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy and Shaka Hislop. That team was the best Trinidad & Tobago have ever had.I was part of that generation of players. We came through things together and were the first group of players from back home to really go out and play in Europe.
"That made a difference and meant we could perform on the International stage. We seemed to click and had a great coach, who showed us how to play.
"Things hadn't worked out at Coventry. After Crewe I wanted a new challenge. I went there but didn't play.
"After the World Cup I was on a high and wanted a move from Coventry to a club that wanted me."
Step forward Walsall.
Fresh from relegation to League Two, and with a new manager in Richard Money, The Saddlers needed a reliable stopper. In truth the club had never really replaced Jimmy Walker, who left in 2004.
Ince was charged with stepping into 'Wacka's' shoes. He did just that.
His first season brought about the League Two title. His form that year also earned him a place in The PFA Team of the Year and a place back in T & T's starting XI.
It was the start of a great four years for the 'keeper who has since gone on to pick up the 2008/09 Player of the Season Award and the adoration of the Walsall faithful.
"I wanted a new challenge and Walsall came up. The team were going through a bit of a bad time. They'd been relegated from The Championship and then from League One but I was excited by the move.
"That League Two Championship-winning season was a major thing. People still talk about that season. A lot of players stick out for me. Dean Keates, Scott Dann and Dan Fox all had quality, Mark Kinsella was a great leader on the pitch, and Anthony Gerrard was a very good player. It was a good team.
"I was back playing for my country too. Shaka (Hislop) had retired and I was playing a lot of games for them - including a game against England. That was a good year."
Ince has continued to play a big part at Walsall during his four-year stint at Banks's Stadium. Now though, turning 38 in the summer, he admits it's time to call a day on his professional career and return home. "My body is calling for it," he said. "I've had a good career. I've had 25 years in the game and enjoyed every minute.
"You don't decide when to call it a day, your body does. My body has decided it's time to move on. I've been having aches and pains every day. I'm 38 nearly and I think it's my time."
After a lifetime in football, though, Ince couldn't - and wouldn't - just walk away from the sport. In preparation for life outside of the pro game, he set up a Sports Academy a few years ago. After watching it blossom from afar, Ince is looking forward to keeping a closer eye on its progress during the years ahead.
"I want to put something back. I've had a fantastic career and made a good life for myself.
"Now, like a lot of my generation of players, I want to go home and help football at grassroots level. I have the Clayton Ince Sports Academy and I'll go home and put more time into that. We work with kids aged five to 15 and I'm looking forward to being more hands on. I want to pass on my knowledge and experience. I might not be playing football but I'll still be in it. I've been away from family for a long time. My wife is over here with me, so is my daughter who is studying, but we are a big family and I'm looking forward to being reunited with them all.
"It's the next chapter in my life but I'll stay in touch. You never know, I might have a few players who are good enough to come through my Academy and play for Walsall in the future."
If they are as good as him, with the same zest for life and endearing personality, the club would snatch his hands off.
Clayton Ince - 25 years, 310 English League appearances, 102 League clean sheets, an abundance of International Caps and, finally, out.
