Ex Bromley and England defender, Carl Jenkinson has announced his retirement from football.
Jenkinson’s decision to retire comes nearly two months after he left Bromley following the expiration of his two-year contract, having made 18 appearances in total and helped the Ravens achieve promotion to League One as League Two champions at the end of last season.
In an open letter on his Instagram account, Jenkinson thanked everyone who he had met on his footballing journey and joked that he wished he could delete various moments from his career.
“Thank you to everyone who played a part in my journey, from my Charlton days as a kid through to my last time playing football at Bromley. From the age of 8 football has been my life, it’s given me a lot, and I have also given it a lot back. In fact I’ve given it everything.
“It’s for that reason that I can look back over my career with no regrets. Do I wish certain things went better? Without a doubt. A lot of things. I once scored an own goal from 30 yards out. I certainly wouldn’t mind deleting that from history. But were these tough moments ever because of a lack of effort? No. Like I said, I gave football everything. Everyday.”
The 34-year-old proceeded to address footballer imagery issues as he advised young people to assert application and listening skills, and be more confident as he opened up on his own confidence struggles.
“And I guess I’m writing this because I can see that’s getting lost a bit these days. I don’t know if it’s social media painting a certain picture of what a footballer looks like, but I want to be clear, behind the scenes these top players train like their life depends on it.
“Alexis Sánchez, wow. Every training session he trained like it was his last. The ones that don’t, they fall by the way side eventually. Even when they’re really, really good. I’ve seen it happen to too many young pros and scholars, trying to make a name in the game.
“Apply yourself everyday, listen to your coaches and learn from the players who have already been where you want to get to. Because if you don’t make it, and it’s because you got carried away with yourself, it’ll be a heavy burden to carry later in life.
“I suffered a lot with confidence throughout my career, which I found strange because my Dad always backs himself to the hilt. I saw loads of people, to try and unlock something within me and find that inner belief.
“Take the chains off” Arsène Wenger would say to me. “I’m trying boss”, I would say to myself. But I’m certain it was that same insecurity that gave me the drive I have, that would make me run harder and train harder than everyone else.
“Ultimately that’s what gave me a career at the top level, because physically I was a machine and I took a lot of pride in that. Was the way I am a blessing or a curse for me? A bit of both I think. But you can only play the cards you’re dealt and try and make the best of them.
“I’m writing all this because I hope some young players might read it. You guys have so much confidence these days! I wish I could nick some of it and take it back in time, but confidence without application and having that fire in your belly to improve everyday won’t get you far.
“I see less young players doing extras, working on their craft, doing extra running after training. Trust me, you won’t have a career if you neglect this aspect.
“Try and find the sweetspot. That’s why I love guys like Bukayo Saka. He’s got that swagger, but you only need to listen to him in a post match interview to see he’s never lost his humility. Find the sweetspot.”
Jenkinson added that the reasoning behind his above message was his desire to not write an ordinary retirement message that many players do.
“Hopefully the above has some value to someone out there. I didn’t want to write the generic retirement ‘thanks for everything’ post as it seemed like a missed opportunity.
“Although of course I am very grateful to my friends, family, coaches, managers and of course the fans who have been with me on my journey. I’m looking forward to seeing what life has in store for me next.”
Jenkinson began his career at Charlton and enjoyed loan spells at Welling United and Eastbourne Borough during his time at The Valley, before he went on to score one goal in 70 appearances for Arsenal between 2011-19 despite spending 2014-15 & 15-16 seasons on loan at West Ham where he scored two goals in 59 appearances.
He also spent time on loan at Birmingham City during the 2017-18 season before he spent 2019-22 at Nottingham Forest, during which he joined Australia’s Melbourne City during the 2021-22 season with three goals in 28 appearances on loan.
A two-year spell at Newcastle Jets followed before he returned back to England in summer 2024 to join Bromley, where he ultimately concluded his career despite missing the first half of last season with a hip injury.
Jenkinson also earned one international cap for England which came as a substitute in a 4-2 friendly loss to Sweden in November 2012.
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