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Hall says Reggae Boyz need experienced players<DIV class=KonaBody>
contributed - Paul Hall
reuters - Russell Latapy of Trinidad
by Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
It is the norm for a career in professional football to start winding down at about the age of 30. There are, however, those who break that mould such as West Ham United's Teddy Sheringham, who at 40, is still playing in the English Premier League.
It is the performance of people such as Sheringham that has given former Reggae Boy Paul Hall even more reason to believe that he still has many days in the game ahead of him. And Hall believes some of those days can be spent with the new Reggae Boyz.
"Jamaica's team right now is at a state where it needs help from experienced players and if I am called I would not say no". Hall said.
journeyman
The 34-year-old, who has been described as a journeyman, is now with Chesterfield in English League One following spells with Portsmouth, Rushden and Diamonds (alongside Onandi Lowe) and Tranmere Rovers with Ian Goodison.
"I turned 34 recently. Most people stop playing earlier but I am feeling good. I am not slowing down so I intend to play as long as I can," said the player who is fondly referred to as 'ninja'.
With two goals in three games in the just-started season, he appears to be in good form and if the performance of 38-year-old Russell Latapy for Trinidad and Tobago in the recently-concluded World Cup is anything to go by, then maybe he could be on to something.
veteran Inspiration
Hall explained that he is inspired by other veteran professional athletes to play as long as possible.
"People such as Paul Ince who is 38 and still playing and Teddy 40-year-old Sheringham, who is still playing in the premiershipare role models for me. They have looked after their bodies and I have to do the same or even better," said the speedy player, a part of the England-born trio of Fitzroy Simpson and Deon Burton who played a crucial role in Jamaica's qualification for the 1998 World Cup.
While a lot has not been heard of the player who was capped 40 times by the national team and scored 15 goals, Hall said he has been doing well since last representing Jamaica against South Africain 2003.
"I went to Chesterfield last year and finished as top scorer there playing either right midfield or up- front if things are not going well with one of the strikers. I had 15 goals and the previous season I had 12 goals for Tranmere where I was second top scorer," said Hall, who added that he was also top scorer at Rushden and Diamonds while playing alongside Lowe.
decent living
Unlike his two close associates, Simpson and Burton, Hall never had a taste of the English Premiershipbut said he has managed and continue to make a decent living from the game.
"I have a good reputation so they pay good money for players like myself. They pay for experience. I left Tranmere, which is a bigger club, to come to Chesterfield because they gave me an offer and an opportunity I could not refuse," explained Hall while giving an indication of his next move, coaching.
At Chesterfield, Hall said he got the opportunity to develop his coaching skills with the youth team and the reserves.
"I am preparing myself for life after football, having achieved my UEFA B (coaching) licenCe last year and looking forward to my A licenCe next June. All of this is to help me climb up the ladder to becoming a coach," said Hall who also noted he has a desire of coaching in Jamaica but knows he has to pay his dues.
In England, Hall said most coaches work with a lower League te
contributed - Paul Hall
reuters - Russell Latapy of Trinidad
by Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
It is the norm for a career in professional football to start winding down at about the age of 30. There are, however, those who break that mould such as West Ham United's Teddy Sheringham, who at 40, is still playing in the English Premier League.
It is the performance of people such as Sheringham that has given former Reggae Boy Paul Hall even more reason to believe that he still has many days in the game ahead of him. And Hall believes some of those days can be spent with the new Reggae Boyz.
"Jamaica's team right now is at a state where it needs help from experienced players and if I am called I would not say no". Hall said.
journeyman
The 34-year-old, who has been described as a journeyman, is now with Chesterfield in English League One following spells with Portsmouth, Rushden and Diamonds (alongside Onandi Lowe) and Tranmere Rovers with Ian Goodison.
"I turned 34 recently. Most people stop playing earlier but I am feeling good. I am not slowing down so I intend to play as long as I can," said the player who is fondly referred to as 'ninja'.
With two goals in three games in the just-started season, he appears to be in good form and if the performance of 38-year-old Russell Latapy for Trinidad and Tobago in the recently-concluded World Cup is anything to go by, then maybe he could be on to something.
veteran Inspiration
Hall explained that he is inspired by other veteran professional athletes to play as long as possible.
"People such as Paul Ince who is 38 and still playing and Teddy 40-year-old Sheringham, who is still playing in the premiershipare role models for me. They have looked after their bodies and I have to do the same or even better," said the speedy player, a part of the England-born trio of Fitzroy Simpson and Deon Burton who played a crucial role in Jamaica's qualification for the 1998 World Cup.
While a lot has not been heard of the player who was capped 40 times by the national team and scored 15 goals, Hall said he has been doing well since last representing Jamaica against South Africain 2003.
"I went to Chesterfield last year and finished as top scorer there playing either right midfield or up- front if things are not going well with one of the strikers. I had 15 goals and the previous season I had 12 goals for Tranmere where I was second top scorer," said Hall, who added that he was also top scorer at Rushden and Diamonds while playing alongside Lowe.
decent living
Unlike his two close associates, Simpson and Burton, Hall never had a taste of the English Premiershipbut said he has managed and continue to make a decent living from the game.
"I have a good reputation so they pay good money for players like myself. They pay for experience. I left Tranmere, which is a bigger club, to come to Chesterfield because they gave me an offer and an opportunity I could not refuse," explained Hall while giving an indication of his next move, coaching.
At Chesterfield, Hall said he got the opportunity to develop his coaching skills with the youth team and the reserves.
"I am preparing myself for life after football, having achieved my UEFA B (coaching) licenCe last year and looking forward to my A licenCe next June. All of this is to help me climb up the ladder to becoming a coach," said Hall who also noted he has a desire of coaching in Jamaica but knows he has to pay his dues.
In England, Hall said most coaches work with a lower League te
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