Pender announces retirement

Derek Pender, captain of Bohemian FC has announced his retirement from the game.Tomorrows (Friday night) game V Sligo Rovers will be his last in the red and black.

Detser joined Bohs in 2012 (after spells at Shels, Dundalk, Shams, Bray and Pats). A true Bohemian legend for the role he played during pretty grim times at Dalymount, he will leave with the strongest best wishes of all at Bohemian FC and, I'm sure, most throughout the League.

we look forward to having him back at Dalymount in some capacity next season.

Great stalwart of the league, I see he's just turned 36, which is about 80 in modern football years! I do remember a brief career at Dundalk way back in 2004 in the First Division. If memory serves me right he looked very good but suffered a bad injury in a match against Dublin City at Santry.

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Originally Posted by seand

Great stalwart of the league, I see he's just turned 36, which is about 80 in modern football years! I do remember a brief career at Dundalk way back in 2004 in the First Division. If memory serves me right he looked very good but suffered a bad injury in a match against Dublin City at Santry.

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Yep, I think the enthusiasm is still there to play but the recovery time after matches is beginning to lengthen ! Expect we will find a non playing role for him at Dalymount, great example to young (and maybe not so young ;)) players but at 36 and after a long career (all of it part time) its time to hang up his boots.

A player who has always shown tremendous spirit and drive, along with no little skill.

I had actually forgotten the amount of different clubs Derek had. I remember him in 07 in the top flight when we played Shamrock Rovers in Tolka. What a stalwart he has being!

He could easily still do a job now but Bohs have enough young lads coming through at full back that its probably good timing, not many of his age still going in the league at his age anyway, particularly outfielders.

Great player though was Pender, very reliable and consistent full back. Goes forgotten since he's made Bohs his home but he was very good for us for a couple of seasons before Ger came in and was to us what Pender was similarly to Bohs.

Always gave it 100% at Bray, scored a great goal against Drogs, think it was the only one he got for us.

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Originally Posted by seand

Great stalwart of the league, I see he's just turned 36, which is about 80 in modern football years! I do remember a brief career at Dundalk way back in 2004 in the First Division. If memory serves me right he looked very good but suffered a bad injury in a match against Dublin City at Santry.

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Was digging deep to remember him at Dundalk! 36 is no age ;) even in LoI #denial

Best of luck to him in his retirement. He was an honest player who always gave you 100%.

He must be one in a significant minority playing now to have played for Dublin City. Heard some mad story today from Stewie Byrne in the mirror about his time in Dublin City!

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Originally Posted by Martinho II

Heard some mad story today from Stewie Byrne in the mirror about his time in Dublin City!

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I'll be honest this conjured a very weird image in my head.

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Originally Posted by marinobohs

Yep, I think the enthusiasm is still there to play but the recovery time after matches is beginning to lengthen ! Expect we will find a non playing role for him at Dalymount, great example to young (and maybe not so young ;)) players but at 36 and after a long career (all of it part time) its time to hang up his boots.

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I'd say the recovery would have to be it because at full tilt he's a terrific player. Watching him play you'd think he's still at the level where he can cut it with a top four team, but good luck to him bowing out on top.

I would have hoped Detser would have fancied one more season but not a bad way to bow out. An excellent player and servant for the club during some of our darkest days. A top guy too. Enjoy your retirement.