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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by Karl[/i] [br]Instilling a sense of pride I RAN into former Seba United and Jamaica goalkeeper Devon "Kid Harris" Dunkley earlier this week and had a most interesting discussion with him, comparing the state of football in western Jamaica with the era in which he was one of the region's undisputed stars. Listening to Dunkley's voice as he recalled pulling off a string of fine saves in the 1987 Premier League final against Boys' Town, which set the stage for Seba United's historic win - the first championship success for a rural team - I could not help but being impressed by the pride and passion in his voice. Reflecting on that epic game, played before a full house at the National Stadium, the most powerful memory was Alton "Noah" Sterling booting in the winning goal during a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. However, looking back with Dunkley, I recalled the fabulous saves he made off Hugh Bailey and Thomas McLean to keep Seba in the game. Someone needs to get hold of a tape of the game and give it to one of the local cable television stations in Montego Bay. Maybe this could be a great source of encouragement and motivation to the current crop of footballers, who seem to lack the drive and determination which drove players such as Dunkley to success. While Dunkley might not have achieved the lofty heights of fellow western Jamaica-based goalkeepers Warren Barrett and Aaron Lawrence, who have both paraded their skills at the World Cup level, it should be remembered he became national goalkeeper at a time when rural players rarely got invited to trial, let alone make the team. Truth be told, Dunkley had to be exceptional when he made the national team. At the time, Jamaica was blessed with an exceptional crop of goalkeepers such as Orville Edwards (Santos), Ken Bailey (Boys' Town), Clive "Spiderman" Weddderburn and Donavan "DV" Hayles (Harbour View). Listening to Dunkley recall the many hours he spent in training and the tough drills he went through, it strengthened my long-standing belief, which a number of current players don't share, talent without discipline and dedication amounts to very little. These players, despite little or no returns, really gave their all in a bid to bring glory to western Jamaica's football. Looking back at the sacrifices which went into Dunkley's career, one probably should also pay some tribute to former Wadadah goalkeeper Stennett Samms, who rose through the ranks of St. James' football to become national goalkeeper during the early 1990s. While I could not state it as a fact, I strongly believe such players must have inspired the likes of Barrett and Lawrence, who came to the fore much later. As Seba United, Wadadah, Reno FC and Village United commence their preparation for the 2002-2003 National Premier League, I believe it would serve them well to get some of these former stars to lecture the current crop of players as part of their preparation. I believe this could be one way to instill discipline, commitment and the passion which has gone out of our football. I don't believe the western region is properly utilising the vast experience of the likes of former national players Noel King, Wendell Downswell, Samms, Dunkley, Winston Anglin, Cassman Williams, Paul Davis and other stalwarts of the past. I can't see how sharing their knowledge with today's players would hurt. I believe it would be just fabulous if the Western Confederation could arrange special confederation seminars for the Premier League teams with the likes of Dunkley, Samms and Wedderburn working with the goalkeepers, Durrent Brown and Noel King with the defenders, Anglin and Theodore Whitmore with the midfielders along with Downswell, "Tegat" and Williams with the strikers. With the 'A' League no longer around to cushion the teams falling out of the Premiership, I am hoping the four western teams will do whatever is needed, including utilising the former nationals to ensure that history and pride will play a part in the upcoming season. Karl [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.