HVFC Academy Programme gathering steam internationally with many young players grasping opportunities to excel on the heels of 2013 MLS Combine success of former HVFC players, Number #1 Draft Pick, Goalkeeper Andre Blake and Number #8 Pick, defender Damion Lowe.
Harbour View FC through former player now FIFA Agent, Damani Ralph, continued the trend in 2015 with Number #3 choice, of striker Romario Williams, supported by defender Oniel Fisher and striker Akeil Barrett also making the cut. Read more about them here.
JUNIOR PLAYERS
MARTIN DAVIS:
18 year old Martin, departed to further his football career development at the Toronto FC Academy in late January 2015 following the failed young Reggae Boyz Under 20 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Jamaica, where he played a few games.
He had gone for trials in the Summer of 2014 and did well to be invited to return from January to August 2015. He has settled in and is making the adjustments at the Academy while, living with family in the Canadian city.
RENNICO CLARKE:
The lanky 19 year old St. Thomas native showed his intent with outstanding performances at Wolmer’s to take the Walker Cup 2014, then stepped up from the HVFC Youth Leagues and graduated into the Premier League squad, scoring while securing the back line position at Centre Half.
‘Reno’ earned selection at both the Reggae Boyz Under 23 and Under 20 teams and lead the line in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers in Jamaica recently. Spotted by the alert Portland Timbers Technical Staff, in early February he departed to train and accepted a two (2) year contract to continue his development with the secondary United Soccer League (USL) PRO division, which is currently being transformed into a much more professional environment to possibly merge with the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Both clubs agree there is a lot of opportunities here to work with in the future.
JORGINHO JAMES:
20 year old ‘Moon Man’ has been in Finland over the last two weeks on trial offered to him through a FIFA Agent, to display his skills and hopefully earn a contract.
The midfielder, who played at Kingston College and Wolmer’s has always been a standout in the HVFC Junior teams from his early scoring days at the Under 14/16/20/21 and now the Premier League adventures still in it’s infancy.
Scoring the only goal for the senior Reggae Boyz at the National Stadium at age 17 years in Jamaica’s friendly against Cuba, as a substitute, it was a big jump for the youngster. He offered a stint in the Japanese J-League where he again signaled his potential, there after playing a 2013-14 season in Antigua and short stays in the 2012 summer Premier Development League (PDL) in the USA.
Awaiting the club’s decision in a few weeks, Jorginho continues to work toward his goals.
SENIOR PLAYERS
KEMAR LAWRENCE:
‘Taxi’ at age 22 years has made his mark locally in the Premier League for over four years and currently a regular player in the senior Reggae Boyz squad under Coach Winfred Schaefer. Playing consistently with the team since November 2013, he captured the first major title at the international level in November 2014 by hoisting the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup in Montego Bay to qualify automatically for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA in the summer.
Winning the Premier League, both Knockout Competitions, and contesting the CFU Club Championships are but a few of the high notes he has hit at HVFC, topped only by his elevation to the ambassador status in year-long 2014 Pepsi Futbol Now Marketing Campaign, with the likes of Lionel Messi.
His current two-week trial at the New York Red Bulls MLS Franchise has gone well, and he is now at the club looking at completing training and talks to hopefully reach an agreement within the next week as the MLS opening date draws close on Sunday, March 8th against DC United.
BRIAN BROWN:
‘Rambo’ plied his trade in the MLS in the second half of last season with the Philadelphia Union to score two goals from five appearances, a very good scoring ratio but his option to renew the contract was not taken up.
The 22 year old then went on trail in Norway in January 2015 at Stabaek Futbol Club but was unsuccessful, but was quickly invited to play until August 2015, maybe extended to November 30, at Indy Eleven of Indiana, USA in the North American Soccer League (NASL) for Professional Players.
HVFC agrees to have the striker on loan to exhibit his tremendous goal scoring talent on the international club market in the fast growing USA Soccer network to be seen globally.
He will complete his paperwork and processing to depart over the next week.
JERMIE LYNCH:
‘Zlatan’, the towering 6’2” forward departed the island a week ago to take up a contract offer with USL PRO Franchise, the Saint Louis FC in Missouri, USA.
At age 24 years he wants to explore more overseas options after his taste of 2013 Premier League club football in El Salvador, where he notched two goals in a short second half of season stay between August and November.
He scored four (4) goals in this season’s Premier League games to reach the semi-finals in both the islands FLOW Champions Cup and the KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout.
Final discussions will be had between both clubs over the next week.