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Few winners following H View, Taylor saga
Published: Saturday | August 29, 2009
Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
Before his dream return here against Ecuador recently, Jermaine Taylor's last memory in a Jamaica national football jersey was mostly a blurry nightmare.
A blow above his eye against Honduras left him with a cut, knocked him groggy and out of Jamaica's World Cup qualifying campaign last year. Then Taylor's own decision, following a continuing feud with his then club Harbour View, kept him out of Jamaica's top league for the 2008/09 season and plunged him into the wilderness away from the international game.
The one-two combo that buckled Taylor's football career is still fresh, despite some temporary memory loss from the injury. But the 24-year-old is battling back. He missed two vital tournaments for Jamaica, which could have helped stake his claim to professional scouts abroad, but the blow that caused him to squint repeatedly did not obstruct Taylor's vision of what his future should look like. And he was determined to be fully in charge of it.
"Yeah, I regret (sitting out) in terms of not playing for the national team, due to missing the Gold Cup and the Digicel (Caribbean) Cup," he said in a lingering tone of defiance. " ... (Harbour View) never did a go tell me what to do with my life ... everybody a big man."
So Taylor can 'fess up. By his own admission, Harbour View Football Club (HVFC) was within its rights to deny any demands he made outside his contractual agreement. But Taylor said HVFC refused to increase his compen-sation package despite his frequent, costly trips from home in Buff Bay, Portland to the east Kingston club for training and games. The club said it was willing to meet some demands, but Taylor may have been trying to shift the spotlight from his own flaws.
"He was offered increases in those areas as well," said Clyde Jureidini, HVFC's general manager in an e-mail response to several questions about the issue. "But clearly was not going to change in preference of blaming others."
Taylor also said HVFC declined to send him on loan to another club. HVFC also refuted the claim, saying it received only a transfer request. HVFC said it sought overseas professional assignments in Europe for the player. Clubs from Norway showed interest. But Taylor's "lack of serious actions to accept anything outside of England" stymied any move, said Jureidini. And Jamaica's then low FIFA rankings made the player's preference "impossible" to accommodate.
Despite the ongoing tussle, Taylor was still under contract with HVFC, had been for years, and he knew his hands were tied. It didn't matter if he thought HVFC was being fair. But he could not contain his unhappiness. St. George's, a club from his hometown where he got his early start, had made it to the Digicel Premier League, and he wanted to join them. Furthermore, Taylor claimed he was frustrated with his last two seasons at Harbour View. The pay dispute was one thing, but, as Taylor said, he did not feel comfortable among the Stars of the East. For him, it was simply time to go home. Harbour View, however, wasn't ready to let him leave.
"The principle of just walking out on a contract/responsibility was wrong and should not be encouraged," said Jureidini.
That decision Taylor made himself.
"Me just say 'cho, a better me just give up everything until me ready to get back on track," Taylor explained.
That meant he would not play out his last contracted season with Harbour View. It also meant he could not play anywhere else. Harbour View believes Taylor was being influenced by others to leave the club.
"Jermaine decided not to honour his contract to Harbour View F.C. but requested a transfer only to St. Georges S.C. immediately," Jureidini stated. "I cannot tell if it was his decision only but we were reliably informed he was being heavily influenced and supported by others as well, for some time since late last season 2008-09 not to represent HVFC anymore.
"Harbour View's decision was to have him respect and honour the correct principles of his contract, in that we continued to offer, and openly support him to represent the HVFC as long as we possibly could."
Without active club duty, his chances of playing for Jamaica disappeared. That hurt Taylor. It also stirred deep resentment in the player, who claimed others at Harbour View were being treated better. It slowly sapped his passion.
"Every time me and them (Harbour View) deal me just get more (angry)," he said. "That's why me just leave it alone. Believe me, after a while, I just didn't care."
But according to Jureidini, Taylor also failed to honour club guidelines, which did not sit well with coaches and players.
"We had no real problem with Jermaine except his regular absence to train regularly and especially during the week before HVFC away games," the G.M. stated. "...Coaches and other players were frustrated by his seemingly deliberate actions as he knows of the Coaches Rule, which disqualifies players from selection who do not attend training in the week's preparation and added unacceptable excuses."
loyalty
Still, Taylor's home community was ready to stand behind him. But while flattered by his loyalty to St George's, many were concerned about the damage he could do to his career. At age 23 when his problems with HVFC reached a head, Taylor was not just giving up a game, but a chance to succeed in a sport he hoped would secure his future.
"It was always a concern amongst both the players and the administrators of the sport in the parish," said Raymond Grant, president of the Portland Football Association and Jamaica's head of delegation for the Ecuador game.
"Wanting to come back to his home town and being held up based on some transfer negotia-tions, between St George's and Harbour View, the parish was a bit disappointed. But we respected the position that Harbour View had taken."
HVFC, through Jureidini's response, called Taylor's conduct during the impasse "unprofessional and unfortunate." There was, according to Jureidini, some frustration with Taylor's actions. But some teammates understood and respected Taylor's position. Either way, his absence meant HVFC would have to do without one of its most influential players.
"It was a major loss, owing to the fact that he is also a young player, but has a vast amount of experience internationally," said HVFC player and national teammate Richard "Shortman" Edwards of Taylor, now 24. "... Passing on that to the other players in the club would be a great asset. But the majority of the players understand ... His decision is his decision, you know. It's not that we support it, but we cannot fight against him towards what his heart is leading him to."
For other teammates, the personal bitter cannot be separated from the sweet. That will not change.
"It's not as if I was happy (Taylor left)," said Lovel Palmer, another Jamaica representative who is a senior player at Harbour View. "But Jermaine is still my friend and I support whatever move he makes. No hard feelings between me and Jermaine."
HVFC insists it wishes Taylor well. The club, however, would like to see him change his ways ... for his own good.
"(Taylor) knows fully well, that we always want the best for Jermaine and all players," stated Jureidini. "... He will achieve it because he is a good enough player but must correct the wrong attitude and behaviour in a professional manner as he is a capable leader/captain on and off the field)."
easy choice
Taylor, whose Harbour View contract expired last month, is registered to play for St George's this season. Throughout his self-imposed exile from the local league he kept in shape training on his own. So when the national team called, he was ready. He was needed. With Ian Goodison and Tyrone Marshall expected to retire from the national team, and other regulars also ageing or no longer guaranteed spots in a Reggae Boyz rebuilding effort, Taylor's call-up was an easy choice, according to coach Theodore Whitmore.
"Jermaine was one of our better centre halves and unfortunately we didn't have him for the Gold Cup," said Whitmore. "But I'm very happy to have him back. And his performance, his whole attitude since he's back, spells good for the team."
That did not mean there weren't concerns before the Ecuador game on August 12. While Taylor looked sharp in training and two practice games against local teams, according to the team, the South American power was a far more sophisticated test.
"Playing in competitive games as opposed to practice sessions is a totally different thing," said national manager Howard Bell, who played for Jamaica some 70 times, before the game at Giants Stadium here.
But according to Whitmore, Taylor emerged with an "excellent" performance in the 0-0 draw. The central defender also captained Jamaica against St Kitts and Nevis in an August 16 friendly. The coach promised Taylor will "always be around" for future national games. The player, too, senses it's time to push on. Just watching the league and missing the action has him revved up and ready to go.
"It's good to be back," Taylor said.
Published: Saturday | August 29, 2009
Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
Before his dream return here against Ecuador recently, Jermaine Taylor's last memory in a Jamaica national football jersey was mostly a blurry nightmare.
A blow above his eye against Honduras left him with a cut, knocked him groggy and out of Jamaica's World Cup qualifying campaign last year. Then Taylor's own decision, following a continuing feud with his then club Harbour View, kept him out of Jamaica's top league for the 2008/09 season and plunged him into the wilderness away from the international game.
The one-two combo that buckled Taylor's football career is still fresh, despite some temporary memory loss from the injury. But the 24-year-old is battling back. He missed two vital tournaments for Jamaica, which could have helped stake his claim to professional scouts abroad, but the blow that caused him to squint repeatedly did not obstruct Taylor's vision of what his future should look like. And he was determined to be fully in charge of it.
"Yeah, I regret (sitting out) in terms of not playing for the national team, due to missing the Gold Cup and the Digicel (Caribbean) Cup," he said in a lingering tone of defiance. " ... (Harbour View) never did a go tell me what to do with my life ... everybody a big man."
So Taylor can 'fess up. By his own admission, Harbour View Football Club (HVFC) was within its rights to deny any demands he made outside his contractual agreement. But Taylor said HVFC refused to increase his compen-sation package despite his frequent, costly trips from home in Buff Bay, Portland to the east Kingston club for training and games. The club said it was willing to meet some demands, but Taylor may have been trying to shift the spotlight from his own flaws.
"He was offered increases in those areas as well," said Clyde Jureidini, HVFC's general manager in an e-mail response to several questions about the issue. "But clearly was not going to change in preference of blaming others."
Taylor also said HVFC declined to send him on loan to another club. HVFC also refuted the claim, saying it received only a transfer request. HVFC said it sought overseas professional assignments in Europe for the player. Clubs from Norway showed interest. But Taylor's "lack of serious actions to accept anything outside of England" stymied any move, said Jureidini. And Jamaica's then low FIFA rankings made the player's preference "impossible" to accommodate.
Despite the ongoing tussle, Taylor was still under contract with HVFC, had been for years, and he knew his hands were tied. It didn't matter if he thought HVFC was being fair. But he could not contain his unhappiness. St. George's, a club from his hometown where he got his early start, had made it to the Digicel Premier League, and he wanted to join them. Furthermore, Taylor claimed he was frustrated with his last two seasons at Harbour View. The pay dispute was one thing, but, as Taylor said, he did not feel comfortable among the Stars of the East. For him, it was simply time to go home. Harbour View, however, wasn't ready to let him leave.
"The principle of just walking out on a contract/responsibility was wrong and should not be encouraged," said Jureidini.
That decision Taylor made himself.
"Me just say 'cho, a better me just give up everything until me ready to get back on track," Taylor explained.
That meant he would not play out his last contracted season with Harbour View. It also meant he could not play anywhere else. Harbour View believes Taylor was being influenced by others to leave the club.
"Jermaine decided not to honour his contract to Harbour View F.C. but requested a transfer only to St. Georges S.C. immediately," Jureidini stated. "I cannot tell if it was his decision only but we were reliably informed he was being heavily influenced and supported by others as well, for some time since late last season 2008-09 not to represent HVFC anymore.
"Harbour View's decision was to have him respect and honour the correct principles of his contract, in that we continued to offer, and openly support him to represent the HVFC as long as we possibly could."
Without active club duty, his chances of playing for Jamaica disappeared. That hurt Taylor. It also stirred deep resentment in the player, who claimed others at Harbour View were being treated better. It slowly sapped his passion.
"Every time me and them (Harbour View) deal me just get more (angry)," he said. "That's why me just leave it alone. Believe me, after a while, I just didn't care."
But according to Jureidini, Taylor also failed to honour club guidelines, which did not sit well with coaches and players.
"We had no real problem with Jermaine except his regular absence to train regularly and especially during the week before HVFC away games," the G.M. stated. "...Coaches and other players were frustrated by his seemingly deliberate actions as he knows of the Coaches Rule, which disqualifies players from selection who do not attend training in the week's preparation and added unacceptable excuses."
loyalty
Still, Taylor's home community was ready to stand behind him. But while flattered by his loyalty to St George's, many were concerned about the damage he could do to his career. At age 23 when his problems with HVFC reached a head, Taylor was not just giving up a game, but a chance to succeed in a sport he hoped would secure his future.
"It was always a concern amongst both the players and the administrators of the sport in the parish," said Raymond Grant, president of the Portland Football Association and Jamaica's head of delegation for the Ecuador game.
"Wanting to come back to his home town and being held up based on some transfer negotia-tions, between St George's and Harbour View, the parish was a bit disappointed. But we respected the position that Harbour View had taken."
HVFC, through Jureidini's response, called Taylor's conduct during the impasse "unprofessional and unfortunate." There was, according to Jureidini, some frustration with Taylor's actions. But some teammates understood and respected Taylor's position. Either way, his absence meant HVFC would have to do without one of its most influential players.
"It was a major loss, owing to the fact that he is also a young player, but has a vast amount of experience internationally," said HVFC player and national teammate Richard "Shortman" Edwards of Taylor, now 24. "... Passing on that to the other players in the club would be a great asset. But the majority of the players understand ... His decision is his decision, you know. It's not that we support it, but we cannot fight against him towards what his heart is leading him to."
For other teammates, the personal bitter cannot be separated from the sweet. That will not change.
"It's not as if I was happy (Taylor left)," said Lovel Palmer, another Jamaica representative who is a senior player at Harbour View. "But Jermaine is still my friend and I support whatever move he makes. No hard feelings between me and Jermaine."
HVFC insists it wishes Taylor well. The club, however, would like to see him change his ways ... for his own good.
"(Taylor) knows fully well, that we always want the best for Jermaine and all players," stated Jureidini. "... He will achieve it because he is a good enough player but must correct the wrong attitude and behaviour in a professional manner as he is a capable leader/captain on and off the field)."
easy choice
Taylor, whose Harbour View contract expired last month, is registered to play for St George's this season. Throughout his self-imposed exile from the local league he kept in shape training on his own. So when the national team called, he was ready. He was needed. With Ian Goodison and Tyrone Marshall expected to retire from the national team, and other regulars also ageing or no longer guaranteed spots in a Reggae Boyz rebuilding effort, Taylor's call-up was an easy choice, according to coach Theodore Whitmore.
"Jermaine was one of our better centre halves and unfortunately we didn't have him for the Gold Cup," said Whitmore. "But I'm very happy to have him back. And his performance, his whole attitude since he's back, spells good for the team."
That did not mean there weren't concerns before the Ecuador game on August 12. While Taylor looked sharp in training and two practice games against local teams, according to the team, the South American power was a far more sophisticated test.
"Playing in competitive games as opposed to practice sessions is a totally different thing," said national manager Howard Bell, who played for Jamaica some 70 times, before the game at Giants Stadium here.
But according to Whitmore, Taylor emerged with an "excellent" performance in the 0-0 draw. The central defender also captained Jamaica against St Kitts and Nevis in an August 16 friendly. The coach promised Taylor will "always be around" for future national games. The player, too, senses it's time to push on. Just watching the league and missing the action has him revved up and ready to go.
"It's good to be back," Taylor said.
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