LIFE for Silvio Spann at Wrexham has been anything but a Caribbean cruise.
But Spann insists he still has no regrets, even if he has swapped the golden beaches and clear blue seas of home for life in the lower reaches of the Football League.
Having already plied his trade in countries such as Japan, Italy and Croatia, Spann has made a career living out of a suitcase.
So, coming to terms with any culture shock comes as second nature to the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago midfielder as he embarks on the next stage of his career in Wales.
“I knew it would be tough coming here. But I came to Wrexham for a challenge and that is what I’m getting,” said Spann, who completed his move from W Connection last month.
“The results haven’t been what we would have wanted but we know we are capable of far more. There’s no reason, though, why we can’t climb the table with the players we have here.”
He added: “I’ve played in a few different places but I always wanted to play in Britain.
“To have the chance to play all over the globe has been great, but coming here has been my ultimate aim. I’ve settled in and I’m enjoying every minute of it, apart from the cold weather.
“But football is football wherever you go, it’s just a case of trying to adapt your game slightly to suit the team’s style of play.”
Things have certainly not gone entirely according to plan for Spann, who has failed to hold down a regular place under Brian Carey in a stop-start spell to life at Wrexham.
But under-pressure boss Carey will need some of Spann’s mental toughness and fighting spirit if he’s to save himself from the chop and help the beleaguered Wrexham side climb from the lower reaches of League One.
“I have suffered enough setbacks through my career not to take anything for granted and I need to work hard,” he said.
“I missed the 2006 World Cup in Germany with a hamstring injury but you get over it, move on and look to your next challenge. And that’s to play well with Wrexham and help us move up the table.”
Spann – who will be joined in North Wales by his wife Sivonne next month – follows in the footsteps of fellow Trinidadians and ex-Racecourse favourites Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence in making the move from the Caribbean island.
He added: “They played a big part in me moving to Wrexham. Their heart is still at Wrexham and I speak to them regularly.
“I considered the move long and hard with my family and we decided I should take my chances at a good club like this. At the moment it looks a good decision for me as I’m loving every minute of it.”