Bhutto settling with Vancouver Whitecaps

Stalwart Vincy Heat defender Wesley “Bhutto” Charles has in a matter of three weeks, become a key player in the Vancouver Whitecaps in the United Soccer League (USL).{{more}}

Charles shifted his professional career to the North American country of Canada last month, and has quickly fitted in team’s line up in the centre of the defence.

The move represented a break in Charles’ alignment to clubs in Ireland.

It was there back in 1998, that the former Pastures and Brighton All Stars goalkeeper, began his professional football journey, with Sligo Rovers.

After spending three years with the Rovers, he then spent four seasons with Bray Wanderers. A one year stint with FC Rostov of Russia in 2005 to 2006, chequered his Ireland path.

The 2001 to 2005 period with Bray Wanderers though, proved his watershed years, as he became a fixture in the club, and in 2003 was voted Wanderers’ player of the year.

Charles, who turns 33 in December, moved back Wanderers for one more year, and last year signed on to Galway United, where he was appointed the team’s captain.

Also a fixture in this country’s national senior team for the past twelve years, accumulating close to 100 caps, Charles last month signed a one year contract, plus an option with the Whitecaps.

The well built Charles has played at every position in the Vincentian defence, with his last appearances against Canada in the World Cup qualifiers in June, being in the central defence.

Playing in the left back position, he, along with Ezra Hendrickson, Burton Forde and Cornelius Huggins, in the 2006 world cup campaign formed what many say was one of the best backlines this country has produced in recent times.

Hendrickson and Forde have formally retired from national duties. Hendrickson is still active, playing in the US MLS for the Columbus Crew, and Huggins is the vice captain for Malaysian 2007 triple crown champion Kedah FC.

Apart from Charles, other Vincentian footballers are being pursued by clubs in the USL, as well as the MLS.

The North American interest in the players heightened after they were seen versus Canada, although losing 7-1 on aggregate.