A few decades ago, many local footballers played for their community and club for years with nothing but pride; There was little to no expectation nor immediate aspiration to play on an international scale, as that wasn’t a very common occurrence especially if you weren’t a national team selection.
A new day is dawning, as on the eve of our 42nd Anniversary we continued the strong tradition of exporting our talented players such as our most recent, 21 year old Jorginho James to USL’s Rio Grande Valley FC. Since 1987, over forty players have been transferred and loaned to professional clubs and academies worldwide.
Our first introduction came when we first traveled to Trinidad and Tobago in July 1979 to play against Everald ‘Gally’ Cummings of San Fernando, where he spotted 18 year old central defender Keith ‘Keithy’ Cunningham to offer him a trial in the USA where he was playing. It never materialized, but the insight was informative.
The 1987 break came through with a creative young 19 year old midfielder, Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler, who was just out of Dunoon Technical School and transferred from HVFC while playing in CFU Club Championships against L’Etoile in Guadelope. He next moved over to Europe to experience the French League and later, the USA.
Another 11 years would pass until 19 year old Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner transferred to Bolton Wanderers on June 30, 1998 following his national team appearance in Jamaica’s inaugural trek to the FIFA World Cup in France.
Later on, Keith ‘Bravo’ Kelly followed to PSG Academy in France, Damani Ralph to Chicago Fire in the MLS, Damion ‘Stewpeas’ Stewart to Bradford City in Britain, and Luton Shelton to Helsingborgs IF of Sweden. The train had gathered speed and had taken a route down the tracks to open a new pathway for about forty players to travel over the years.
Many players have had two, three, four or five loan and transfer outings in their careers, but most single selections to a wide range of countries in Europe, North America, Central America, Asia and the Caribbean.
Far more have gained academic scholarships for both males and females to universities, colleges and schools, largely in USA and a few in Canada. This past year alone has boasted Kemar Lawrence’s move to MLS team the New York Red Bulls, Brian Brown to NASL’s Indy Eleven shortly after his MLS stint at the Philadelphia Union, and players going to the USL such as Martin Davis promoted from the Toronto FC Academy, Rennico Clarke to Portland Timbers, Jermie Lynch to Saint Louis FC, Kevaughn Frater to the Real Monarchs and Jorginho James to Rio Grande Valley FC.
* Featured photo (L – R): Altimont Butler, Ricardo Gardner, Keith Kelly, Damani Ralph, Damion Stewart, Luton Shelton