Jamaica's football history
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Richard Langley - Reggae Boy Extraordinaire
Monday, November 03, 2003
The RBSC speaks with Reggae Boyz midfielder, Richard Langley, on experiences and perspective gained on becoming a Reggae Boy.
BIO FOR RICHARD LANGLEY
Name: Richard Langley
Date of Birth: December 27, 1979
Position: Midfielder (Central & Right)
Caps: 12
Current Club: Cardiff City (English Division 1)
Previous Club: Queens Park Rangers
Weight: 159 Lbs (72Kg)
Height: 5'-10' (178cm)
Achievements: First represented the Reggae Boyz against Nigeria in a friendly international played in London in May 2002.
Richard has since shown his commitment to the Reggae Boyz by turning out to represent in full FIFA sactioned games in the Copa Caribe competition and later the CONCACAF Gold Cup which was played recently in the summer of this year. Richard has two international goals to his credit and hopefully hopes to increase his tally in the upcoming World Cup Qualifying competition.
INTERVIEW
RBSC: You described the call to represent the Reggae Boyz as 'A chance in a lifetime'. What were your feelings on being called and why did you describe the opportunity to play for Jamaica, 'A chance in a lifetime'?
RL: It was a privilege and I'm very proud. My family were proud too and it's been a great experience for me playing with Jamaica's top players.
RBSC: Here is a quote from your website, 'Ian Holloway gave me a bit of stick for my decision. He was upset that I was going. . .'.
Who is Ian Holloway?
RL: He was my manager at QPR.
RBSC: Why do you think your acceptance of the JFF's invitation to represent the Reggae Boyz was upsetting to Mr. Holloway?
RL: I don't think people realise how serious Jamaican football is. If they did they'd realise how important it was to me. It was a positive move for me. I think people need to respect the Jamaican team and realise that we are a footballing nation now and we can compete against the other leading countries. We're not just there to make the numbers up and we showed that against Brazil. We're not just a 'carnival country' as some people call us.
RBSC: If invited, do you believe your present club will willingly allow you time off to represent the Reggae Boyz during World Cup 2006 qualifiers?
RL: I hope so. We've talked about it and come to the agreement that playing for Jamaica not only benefits me but benefits Cardiff City and that's the difference with QPR. The way they see it is completely different to the way QPR saw it. Cardiff sees it as benefiting them that they have another international in their team. There's quite a few Welsh internationals, a couple of Irish, one Australian and me. They see it as a bonus, and if the times and dates are working for the club then it's no problem.
RBSC: What do you attribute to Mexico’s record in the Azteca?
Why have the Reggae Boyz not performed in the Azteca?
Why do you think we were so horrible in the Gold Cup match?
RL: The number one factor is the altitude. We played there in the summer and I'd heard a lot of rumours about what it's like. It looked like it was just another sunny day, but as soon as you make a run that's it, you can't breathe. They were making run after run and not tiring and that was the difference between the sides.
RBSC: Here is another quote from your website: 'First, a few words about my time away with Jamaica, which was superb. I played with and against some amazing individual. . .'
What exactly did you mean by playing with and against amazing individuals and who were these amazing individuals?
RL: Ricardo Gardner. Every time I train with him I learn something. And Ricardo Fuller. He never ceases to amaze me. The other players told me what a great player he is and he hasn't stopped scoring this season.
RBSC: Your words again: on playing with the Reggae Boyz; 'I experienced a whole different style of football out there and I think I learned a lot from that.' What exactly do you mean by 'different style of football'? How would you describe what you learned?
RL: It's more of a passing game than I was used to at QPR. The manager tells us to be patient and plan our attacks very precisely. It was a lot more direct at QPR, but with Jamaica and Cardiff it's a patient passing game.
RBSC: You were part of TEAM Reggae Boyz in that match against Brazil. Tell us what was like to step on the field with the defending World Champions?
RL: Very exciting and a real privilege. It's what you dream about as a kid.
RBSC: Do you have a copy of the tape of that match?
RL: No, but I'm getting one.
RBSC: How did you think the TEAM performed?
RL: I thought we defended well but Brazil being Brazil they had most of the possession. They scored an amazing goal through Roberto Carlos, which there was nothing we could do about that really.
RBSC: Where you satisfied with our result?
RL: It shows how far the Reggae Boyz have come that we held our own against the World champions.
RBSC: How did you see your performance?
RL: I thought I worked hard and did OK and that's all you can really do.
RBSC: As a player, what do you think you bring to the TEAM Reggae Boyz?
RL: I think other people should be the judge of that.
RBSC: The way you have been used presently by our present technical team, do you feel this has allowed you to impose your skills on the fortunes of the team?
RL: Yes, I do.
RBSC: If you were Reggae Boyz coach for a day in an important World Cup Qualifier, what role would you give Richard Langley, and what other midfielders would you use with him?
RL: Central midfield role, alongside Thoeodore Whitmore and Jamie Lawrence.
RBSC: The qualifying for the 2006 World Cup Final competitions is on the mind of every single Jamaican wherever he or she resides. Jamaica had been to the World Cup in ’98. The talk on the RBSC’s 'free flowing discussion forum' is 'been there, done that'. . .suggesting that on any repeat visit to the World Cup Finals competition the Reggae Boyz should produce superior results to those produced in ’98.
How do you rate the Reggae Boyz chances of fulfilling those expectations, and what must be done to ensure TEAM Reggae Boyz live up to the expectations?
RL: The more and more time goes on the more organised we become. We've realised as a team that to do well we need to be organised at the back and we're looking more and more solid each time we play with each other. If we continue to progress we stand a chance of doing well.
RBSC: Are there any final thoughts you would like to leave with us?
RL: Watch this space. We're going for it!
RBSC: Thank you Mr. Langley.
RL: My pleasure.
Click HERE to visit Richard Langley's official website.
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