Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League has announced the retirement of defender and club captain, Mason Trafford, who will now be full-time in the front office as the club’s Commercial Director.

Joining the club in its inaugural season back in 2019, Trafford made a total of 77 appearances across all competitions for Cavalry FC, helping lead the club to four consecutive playoff appearances, along with capturing the inaugural 2019 and 2020 regular season titles.

Trafford was a key signing in the inaugural season to help form the start of Cavalry’s leadership team alongside former teammate and captain, Nik Ledgerwood. His experience would prove to be a valuable asset both on and off the field. In 2022, he was handed the armband, becoming the club’s captain, and led the side as they set a new league record for longest unbeaten run with 11 games undefeated.

“Mason is a fantastic human being that has been a key fabric of our club identity from day 1,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Head Coach and General Manager, Cavalry FC. “What teammates, management, and supporters will have seen on the pitch is his commitment, intelligence, and leadership. It’s these traits that will serve him and our club well as he steps into a new and exciting chapter as he helps us grow further as a club”.

The graduation of Trafford from the field of play into the business side of Cavalry FC emphasizes the continued strategy to create further opportunities in the growing industry as Cavalry FC continues to develop professional soccer in Calgary and across Canada. As part of this succession plan, Trafford was key during the pandemic era of the club, in being able to combine his playing commitments with his support and pursuit of business operations. From the 2021 off-season onwards, he became more actively involved in leading the business side of Cavalry FC through forming relationships with new and existing partners and sponsors, whilst also starting to direct the marketing and sales strategy for the club. At the end of the 2022 season, it was mutually agreed that it was time to hang up the boots and become the club’s Commercial Director on a full-time basis as the club enters a new and exciting chapter.

For 14 years, I’ve lived out my childhood dream,” said Trafford. “Soccer has shaped me and made me into the person I am today. My life, since I was 4 years old, has been spent on a soccer field. I’m going to miss it. But I’m also ready for the next chapter, and my new role as Commercial Director of Cavalry FC. The biggest emotion in all of this is gratitude. I’m grateful for my family, my teammates throughout the years, all the staff I’ve been lucky enough to work with, and the fans. It’s been an amazing journey,”  he shared. “Thank you to Tommy Wheeldon Jr., our President and COO – Ian Allison, and our ownership. This club brought me to Calgary–now my home–and from day one, put a long-term plan in place that sees me leave the pitch and enter the front office in a role I’m passionate about. Soccer has given me so much in my life. My first love. Thank you to everyone who supported me over the years, that will stay with me forever.”

“I would like to congratulate Mason on his retirement from playing and his full-time move to Cavalry FC’s front office as Commercial Director,” said CPL commissioner Mark Noonan. “As a league, our mission is to provide opportunity for everyone in our ecosystem, so I am pleased to see the likes of Mason, Oliver Minatel, and other former players moving into front-office and off-field roles. Our hope is not only to develop players to grow the game on the field in Canada, but to create opportunities for advancement off it as well.”