HAVING battled adversity through virtually every stage of his professional life, Ryan Garry’s measured and articulate response to the most cruel of blows should have come as no surprise.

Stood in the unfamiliar surroundings of Wimborne Town’s Cuthbury home, he conducted an interview about an all-too-familiar topic – injuries.

But this was different. Garry was talking for the first time as a former footballer after a persistent nerve-related problem in his lower leg had forced retirement.

At 27 – and after seeking medical advice – he revealed he had been left with little alternative other than to call it a day.

For many, having to hang up their boots when they should be entering their prime would have come as the most bitter of pills to swallow.

Yet despite the painstaking decision the Cherries defender had been given no choice but to take, a realistic Garry had clearly come to terms with his fate.

He spoke openly about his retirement in a relaxed manner and, to his credit given the circumstances, there was no hint of self-pity. Far from it, in fact, as he refused to dwell on negatives.

In an interview with the Daily Echo, Garry said: “You get people saying ‘what would have happened if you didn’t get injured?’. But you can’t live your life thinking ‘what if’. You have just got to play the card that you have been dealt.

“I’m not going to stand here and start complaining because I still think I managed to achieve a lot in my short career that a lot of people haven’t. I am not going to think ‘what if’ because you can’t do that in life.

“I have good memories from football and I am not going to let anything tarnish that because I think that would be a shame.”

It was not supposed to end like this. As a bright young prospect at Arsenal, Garry had looked destined for big things.

In helping the Gunners to FA Youth Cup and junior Premier League triumphs, he built a reputation that also yielded nine England caps at youth international level.

But injuries struck – particularly multiple stress fractures in both shins – and the cultured defender was given a chance to rebuild his career with Cherries.

Signed by then manager Kevin Bond in 2007, he demonstrated his quality but endured more than his fair share of time in the treatment room.

By starring in Cherries’ relegation escape and League Two promotion campaigns, Garry became a popular figure among supporters.

Injury, however, came back to haunt the Londoner and led to Tuesday’s announcement.

But a determined and defiant Garry prefers to see it as the start of a new career, rather than the end of his previous one.

Having been handed a role on Lee Bradbury’s staff, he is now Cherries’ first-team coach, defensive co-ordinator on matchdays and reserves manager.

“I have made the decision to retire, which is a shame, but the positive out of it is I have been given a great opportunity to coach,” said Garry.

“Coaching is something I would have wanted to have done once my career was over at an older age. I am only 27 but that is the way the cookie crumbles sometimes and I am really grateful for the opportunity I have been given by everyone at the club.”

He continued: “It is a fantastic club to be at. There is a lot going on on the back of a good season last season and everyone is looking forward to a good year.

“There are a lot of very friendly, helpful and caring people at the club and they have been very good to me.”

Reflecting on his playing career, Garry readily reels off the good memories.

Ranking high is his league debut for Arsenal at Highbury aged 19, winning silverware with the north London club and amassing England youth caps. For Cherries, promotion and the miraculous relegation escape understandably register at the top of his list.

The bad times are simple – his injuries.

But Garry added: “It is a new chapter in my life. It is a bit of a shock that the new chapter comes now but I have got my head round the fact that I won’t be playing football any more.

“I look back on my career and feel lucky that I have been able to play at the places I have and among the teams I have.

“I have experienced good times and bad and it is a lesson in life sometimes when you have ups and downs. You only get stronger for it and this is another opportunity for me and I am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into it.

“I am really thankful for this coaching opportunity being given to me at the young age of 27. It is fantastic.”

n Garry wished to acknowledge the support of a number of people and expressed his thanks to his fiancée Carla, Cherries’ medical staff and physio Steve Hard, club chaplain Andy Rimmer and his team-mates.