Rohan Ricketts is now a Dempo Sports Clubplayer after plying his skills in the leagues of England, Canada, Hungary, Germany and Republic ofIreland. Life could have taken a different turn had he not been a victim of achange in policy at Tottenham Hotspur in 2003.
Ricketts, now aged 29, was a talentedyoungster back in 2002 when he moved from Arsenal to their fiercestNorth-London rivals Tottenham then managed by Glenn Hoddle. Ricketts underlinedhis committment to Spurs with skillful displays and went on to become Player ofthe Month and was also talked about as England senior team prospect. But followingHoddle‘s sacking in September 2003, in came new manager David Pleat, who haddifferent plans for the club.
"In football, managers change and yourfortunes can change. I was now out of the team. Different philosophy, differentideas, no more passing, just long balls." explained Ricketts.
As his career went spiralling downward, hetravelled from one country to the other, also putting paid to his prospects forthe national team. " I played for England under-18 level, when I was atArsenal. Everything was going amazingly well. But after I went to Spurs andwhen Hoddle was replaced by Pleat, I did not get enough opportunities toprogress to the England senior team," recounts Ricketts with a tinge ofsadness in his voice.
Now that he is in India, Ricketts findshimself playing with the most successful club coach in this part of the world “Armando Colaco. "His philosophy, his ideology is exactly what I believe inwhile I was raised at Arsenal. I am very lucky to be in contact with a coachwho plays that style in India" says Ricketts with utmost modesty.
"My main priority now is to play well andhelp Dempo to retain the title. It is a new beginning for me," quipsRicketts on the new innings of his football career.
