General
- Tuesday October 21st, 2003 @ 14:00
Mbabazi Livingstone Retires
It is with great regret that St Patrick's Athletic FC announces the retirement of its Ugandan international, Charles Mbabazi Livingstone. Last Friday, during the league match with Bohemians, the player felt very unwell and was brought to St James' Hospital where he underwent rigorous tests. While the player has recovered fully and was well enough to leave hospital today, the medical advice was that he should retire from competitive sport.
The Chairman of St Patrick's Athletic, Andy O'Callaghan, said the club's only concern was for the player's well being.
"Charles has been a wonderful servant of this club. It is a huge shock and disappointment to him that he has been forced to retire so suddenly but he has a young family and the consultations with the doctors left him in no doubt that this was the correct course. We are upset to lose him as a player.
However, our loss is nothing compared to the cruel way in which his career as a professional footballer has been cut short. St Patrick's Athletic will retain his services in a coaching and promotional capacity."
St Patrick's Manager, Eamonn Collins acknowledged that the loss of such an influential player was significant in the week of the Cup Final.
"Naturally we will miss him from the side. He brought something a bit special and would have helped our cause on Sunday. However, I concur fully with the Chairman that what matters most is that Charles is well and in a position to establish a new career in Ireland. Everyone at this club will do their best to help him on that road."
The club has issued this statement in order to establish the position as clearly as possible. It understands that in the week of the Cup Final the level of public interest in the welfare of any player involved is going to be very high.
Allowing for that, we would respectfully request that the media simply report this statement and avoid speculating beyond the fact that the player has been forced to retire on the basis of medical advice. The exact nature of that advice and any other issues relating to the player's predicament are and should remain the business of his family and the club.
