With no match this past week and Rhode Island on the horizon we bring you this week’s podcast with Steve Padernacht and center back Charlie Dickerson, who is no stranger to The Ocean State, having played at Providence College. The Norwich, England, discussed his soccer journey from a small rural village to the US college game, including stops at Jefferson College, Bradley University, and Providence, and now with Westchester Soccer Club. He highlighted his family’s influence — particularly his older brother who sparked his love for the game and his father who played non-league football — as well as his faith in God as a guiding force throughout his career. Charlie emphasized the mental demands of defending, the importance of team trust and community connection, and his full-throttle playing style. He shared his personal season goals of maximizing minutes, keeping clean sheets, and helping the club reach the playoffs. In rapid fire, he chose Messi for talent, Sergio Ramos as his favorite player growing up, Camp Nou as his dream stadium, and gospel into house music as his pregame routine. Charlie expressed his excitement for his first professional season and his commitment to giving everything for the Westchester fans.
Growing Up in Norwich, England
- Charlie shares that he is from a rural village about 10 minutes outside of Norwich, with a population of roughly 4,000–5,000 people.
- He describes his childhood as free-range and community-driven — playing street football daily, no cell phones, and spending all his time outdoors.
- Steve draws a parallel between Charlie’s upbringing and his own childhood in the Bronx, noting that childhoods across the world share more similarities than people realize.
Family Influences & Path to the USA
- Charlie credits his older brother as his initial spark for playing soccer, and his father — a non-league player for Dereham Town and Sheringham — for providing harsh but necessary feedback.
- He recognizes his mother’s significant sacrifices in getting him to practices and academies while managing three other siblings.
- Charlie discusses Todd Cantwell as the most notable player from his local area and reflects on the possibility of putting his own village on the map.
- He explains how he self-funded his move to the US at 18 by working through a gap year after completing a BTEC sports diploma at a soccer-specific college in England.
College Journey & Adjustments in America
- Charlie walks through his three college stops: Jefferson College (JUCO, Missouri), Bradley University (D1), and Providence College (top D1), describing the steady improvement in facilities, friendships, and experiences at each step.
- He reflects on the biggest adjustments moving from England to the US, including the education system, food, city size, and the necessity of owning a car.
- Charlie shares a standout moment of cultural diversity — having a Spanish roommate who is now a model associated with Real Madrid’s national setup.
- He discusses how each new environment made him more resilient and self-sufficient, and how grateful he is for the opportunity to travel across different US states through soccer.
Playing Style & the Art of Defending
- Charlie describes his game to Westchester fans as full-throttle, high-energy, and leader-driven, with a focus on organization and preventing goals.
- He identifies the most misunderstood part of defending as the mental exhaustion — constantly checking shoulders, evaluating threats, and communicating for 90 minutes straight.
- Charlie shares that his favorite part of defending is the physicality — hard tackles, throwing his body at the ball, and getting under opponents’ skin.
- He explains how a backline builds trust through quality time spent together off the field, citing his roommate Tim Timchenko as an example of that bond.
- Charlie outlines his personal standard: “don’t mess up,” and holds himself accountable to his teammates whenever he falls short.
Westchester Soccer Club & Community Connection
- Charlie discusses the importance of community connection, citing the 914 Infantry and the Ambleside Pub as early examples of the bond he is building with Westchester fans.
- He reflects on what makes somewhere feel like home, sharing stories of meaningful relationships built at every stop — including a host family in St. Louis where he met his girlfriend.
Listen and watch the full episode HERE:
