English players eye Reggae band

[Dunny]

English players eye Reggae band
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor

Sunday, September 11, 2011






MARVIN Elliott's story is not new to those who follow football. Similar tales have been heard before, and as sure as the sun will shine, more will be told.

He's an England-born footballer with Jamaican ancestry, and like many of his fellow Britons, desperately wants to don the Jamaican colours.


ELLIOTT... I have wanted to represent Jamaica for as long as I can remember

ELLIOTT... I have wanted to represent Jamaica for as long as I can remember 1/1


It's been a long wait for the 26-year-old Bristol City midfielder — a wait he hopes will end soon, especially now that Reggae Boyz coach Theodore Whitmore has promised a shake-up of the team — dissuaded by "the attitude of some players".

The six-foot-one-inch player who qualifies for Jamaican citizenry through his grandparents, told the Sunday Observer his passion for Jamaica is fanned in no small measure by his parents, who kept him in tune with the island's customs and culture.

Elliott's many visits to Jamaica, particularly to Westmoreland and St Elizabeth — the parishes of his grandparents — gave him a first-hand look at life of his "island home". And he has soaked it all up.

Having two teammates at Championship side Bristol who have played for Jamaica and who are still considered to be in the pool has also heightened his anxiety.

Having heard stories from England-born Jamal Campbell-Ryce and local-bred Damian Stewart about their national exploits has both frustrated and educated Elliott.

"I want to represent Jamaica because I love the country and I would thrive on the opportunity to represent the island. It would be an honour to be to play if called upon," he said.

"I have wanted to represent Jamaica for as long as I can remember. I have made attempts in the past to make the local federation aware of my availability, but nothing has ever moved forward," added Elliott, a former regular at Millwall FC.

While Jamaica is pregnant with footballing talent, Elliott believes he and other UK-born players can offer a lot in the quest for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil, and the broader football programme.

"England-born players do not all necessarily possess better qualities to help Jamaica reach another World Cup Finals, but I believe a mixture of both is the best way to make that dream happen again," he told the Sunday Observer from Bristol on Friday.

Jamaica's only appearance at a senior FIFA World Cup occurred in 1998, and three England-born professionals — Deon Burton, Paul Hall and Fitzroy Simpson — brought in by the iconic Brazilian Rene Simoes, played crucial roles in that achievement.

But what are the odds of lightning striking in the same way and same place twice?

"I definitely think that this method could work this time round because you have a lot of quality players who have the desire and hunger to represent Jamaica but are not being given the opportunity," argued Elliott, who is also comfortable playing at right-back.

The instrumental player and Bristol City favourite says he would bring to the Boyz set-up a wide-range of skills.

"I believe the qualities that I bring to the table are my tackling, passing, pace, aerial strength and leadership. I play in the centre of midfield and can attack as well as defend," he said.

In a classic case of versatility, Elliott was employed as an emergency right-back in the 2004 FA Cup final against England powerhouse Manchester United when Kevin Muscat was unavailable due to injury.

There is one test all foreign-born players have to sit: the public examination of their patriotism. Elliott says he's ready for any scrutiny as far as that is concerned.

"I would say to people who might question my patriotism specifically that 'yes, I was born in England, but my family comes from Jamaica', so primarily I would be representing them and the island and I would never take that lightly," he said.

Elliott notes that the increased number of Jamaican players operating in the UK, the rest of Europe and the USA has boosted the national football stock, and he's delighted with this development.

"It's great to see the number of Jamaicans playing in the U... it gives so much encouragement to the youths back in Jamaica who dream of playing in the world's top leagues," he said.

"I think the success that Ricardo Fuller and (Ricardo) Gardner have had in England in particular shows the type of quality Jamaica has if given the chance. They are both great ambassadors for Jamaican football," Elliott pointed out.

Born in Wandsworth in the Greater London area, Elliott has been the constant target for Premiership clubs, but Bristol is reluctant to release the man they signed in 2007.

Fulham, Wolves, Blackburn, Portsmouth and West Brom have made pitches for the towering utility player, but all bids have been rejected. Elliott has a deal with his current employers which would keep him at Bristol City until 2012.

"Any offer that has been made for me has never been turned down by me personally, but by the club itself. So as a professional I try not to let any of that faze me and I just keep trying to improve every day in training as I strive for the ultimate goal of Premiership football," he explained.

For Millwall, Elliott made 144 appearances between 2003-2007 and scored three goals, while banging in 17 for Bristol City in 161 caps since he first put pen to paper.

Elliott said he was inspired by former England international Ian Wright, former Arsenal and France regular Partick Veira and former Reggae Boy Jamie Lawrence.

"On a personal point, it would be Jamie Lawrence who has helped me a lot in my career and who has become a very close friend," he said.

Another player said to be eligible for Jamaica is Leicester City frontman Beckford. The 27-year-old, 6ft 2in striker, had a bountiful spell at Leeds between 2006-2010, scoring 72 goals in 126 appearances. For Everton in less than a year, he bagged eight goals in 34 appearances before moving to his current club.

Beckford is also eligible to play for Grenada, but well-placed sources say he prefers the black, gold and green of Jamaica. A football agent who did want to be named said "Beckford is the most famous of the promising" emerging talents of the England-born players of Jamaican ancestry.

Also waiting in the wings:

Nathan Smith, 24, Chesterfield (English League One), left-back.

Luke Hubbins, 19, Birmingham (Championship), right-winger.

Daniel Gordon (German-Jamaican), 26, FSV Frankfurt (Bundesliga Two), midfielder.

Darren Pratley, 26, Bolton Wanderers (EPL), midfielder.

Gareth McLeary, 24, Nottingham Forest (Championship), winger.

Jobi McAnuff, 29, Reading (Championship), midfielder.

Christopher Humphrey, 23, Motherwell (SPL), winger.

Zavon Hines, 22, Burnley (Championship), midfielder.

Daniel Sturridge, 22, Chelsea (EPL), forward.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, 25, Wolves (EPL), forward.

Karl Henry, 29, Wolves (EPL), midfielder.

Remie Street, 16, Newcastle (EPL), defender.

Marl Little, 23, Peterborough (Championship), defender.

Jermaine Pennant, 28, Stoke (EPL), midfielder.

Nile Ranger, 20, Newcastle (EPL), forward.

Jay Simpson, 20, Millwall (Championship), forward.

Sanchez Watt, 20, Arsenal Reserves (EPL), winger.

Nigel Neita, 17, Arsenal (EPL), forward.

Andre Wisdom, 18, Liverpool Reserves, defender



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1aPqgewLf

[HL]

What the 'ell is Whitmore waiting for?

I read where the local senior squad lost 1-2 to an NPL team~~~sigh~groannn~~ SAD!!

Quite and impressive list of potential players. I have more confidence in them than I have in the local outfit.

Nile Ranger of Newcastle!! now he is a wiley player.

Sturridge? The good Cap'n Burrell should get down on his knees and court he and the rest of this impressive list.

Would not mind if I don't see Shelton play for the squad again!!

[Bruce]

There you have it....The RBSC Dream Team in front of Donovan Ricketts.

[Jawge]

HL Tappa may get Sturridge as it will be hard for him to get first team on the English squad. Possibly sturridge road to fame lies with the Rboyz.

One thing I can say is this; I've seen videos of Raheem Sterling and there is no way on earth, he will play for Ja. To me he is the British version of Robinho. It's up to Capello to figure out how to use him.

That said, why is everyone crying for British payers? What happen to the abundance of talent from JA? I know why. We are lazy in Ja and because it will take time and money to develop a player, no one wants to do it. It's fact that the high school league is substandard to what the academies in S.America,Europe and even Africa has to offer.

Funny thing I don't see Ja poaching England for sprint talent. Why?

[Bricktop]

We don't need any UB 40's remember?

[TheDread]

HL Tappa may get Sturridge as it will be hard for him to get first team on the English squad. Possibly sturridge road to fame lies with the Rboyz.

One thing I can say is this; I've seen videos of Raheem Sterling and there is no way on earth, he will play for Ja. To me he is the British version of Robinho. It's up to Capello to figure out how to use him.

That said, why is everyone crying for British payers? What happen to the abundance of talent from JA? I know why. We are lazy in Ja and because it will take time and money to develop a player, no one wants to do it. It's fact that the high school league is substandard to what the academies in S.America,Europe and even Africa has to offer.

Funny thing I don't see Ja poaching England for sprint talent. Why?

Jawge, you see Sterling and him mother dun say a Jamaica them want to play senior ball for despite playing under 17 for England. If him get way (JA born non the less) that will be on the JFF since them publicly state this.

I'm completely against excluding Jamaicans from our national set up based on where them born. All eligible Jamaicans need to be considered. And yes, the rasta ********** JFF needs to do a much better job of developing local talent.

[Jangle]

Bwoy I agree with everything you said except taking a dig at high school football. I have said it here many times before that high school sports is under no obligations to feed our national programs.

[Gamma]

it is a de facto situation though ...

[Jawge]

Still hurting from that David Johnson fiasco. I think we should leave stirling alpne; he was developed in Europe and a lot was invested. I think the investors want their returns.

[Bricktop]

"While Jamaica is pregnant with footballing talent"

Pregnant wit pure jacket...

[Dunny]

Still hurting from that David Johnson fiasco. I think we should leave stirling alpne; he was developed in Europe and a lot was invested. I think the investors want their returns.

Raheem Stirling came up through QPR academy and was then transferred to Liverpool for a descent sum when he was 15 years old, the England national set up had nothing to do with is development so why should we give up on him just like that?

[Jawge]

Not a dig boss. Back in the days, I too would revel in the high school sports rivalry. Over time by listening to what Prof. Simoes had to say about football, on the professional and INT'L level (and even through my sunday morning coachings); I saw the light.

I've concluded that if players such as Anthony "tuffy" Barnes, Paul "tegat" Davis, Sweetie smaith, Bryan "bly" Anderson et al were in an Academy Ja would have benefitted immensely. The above players that were mentioned; did not belong in a high sch school system. Matter of fact this is where Europe and S.America build the gap with the likes of Ja; which shows at the int'l level. I didn't see Dago Gordon and others from the east play but you may come to the same conclusion.

What is holding back Ja is that we do not understand the science of the game. Ja has to understand that it requires a certain football intelligence to play. I was watching a game last week; one team had mostly Jakan players and the other from upstate mostly hispanics. Guess what the Yaad ballers were doing? Everytime they won the ball via a turn over, the player that wins the ball would hold on to it, not making any telling passes but just moving with th ball in his instep. Yes you are gonna get time with the ball because the defence and mid are repostioning to take it away. The most crtical part of the game is transition, when a team attacks and loses the ball they are in a very vulnreable position. A simple quick pass up to an attacking player can put a forward right in front of the goalie (demonstrated this over and over to my team when coaching).

Funny thing is that the hispanics did this effortlessly, to the point where I had to point it out to another yaadie who was watching (he said ah chue yuh ah talk enuh bass). The yard team refuse to use the passing game they wait around for opponets to cut and try to dribble. The hispanics were just moving the ball effortlessly all over the place ( said some of them must be Brasilians). This also comes about when you live and see professional football around you.

Ja has a lot of work to do. being individually technical with the ball is not enough to paly at the int'L level. To quote Prof. Simoes; "talent alone cannot beat Romario and Dunga".

[Jawge]

let's take a guess where would QPR and Liverpool would want to see stirling play? Ja or England? Who now controls the purse strings attached to him?

[Dunny]

let's take a guess where would QPR and Liverpool would want to see stirling play? Ja or England? Who now controls the purse strings attached to him?

QPR got no relevance in the matter,i am sure Liverpool would like to see him play
for England, simply because of the long distant travelling involved with playing for Jamaica. However the only thing that matters is who the young man would like to play for, how deep is his desire to represent his country of birth. Dont you
think it is in our interest to ask the kid the question?

[Jawge]

Okay, lets say you were born in Ja and your parents move to Brasil since you were three years old. You went to the Sao paulo youth academy and is now acquired by Santos. You are picked for Brasil's U17. Everyone in Ja begins to notice you, it will be only a matter of time before you get called to the senoir men's team. Who would you want to play for Brasil or Ja?