Jamaica's football history
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Interview with Reggae Boy Bradley Thomas
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Mosiah talks with Bradley Thomas before the Under-23 team left for Mexico for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers.
Name: Bradley Thomas
Date of Birth: March 29, 1984
Place of Birth: Newham (East London)
Club: Peterborough United F.C. (Div. II) (since 15 yrs old), Milwall (13-14 yrs old), Leyton Orient (14-15 yrs old)
Position: Centre back (or right back)
MM: How did you get the call up?
BT: My agent, Gus Nwanokwu, arranged for a training camp for Jamaica to see me and for me to see them. I owe him a lot for giving me the opportunity to play for Jamaica. It probably would not have happened otherwise.
MM: What are you Jamaican connections?
BT: Both grandparents on my dad's side are from St. James and Westmoreland. On my mom's side, my granddad is from Kingston. They came over (to England) in the fifties and sixties.
MM: How have you settled in since?
BT: Played my first game in Cuba (1-1), then I was called up against Cuba at Arnett Gardens, where we won 1-0. Then Guatemala at home, we won 2-0. Then I was suspended for away leg. So, I was involved at every stage.
MM: I hear the other players teasing you about your accent.
BT: Oh, that's no problem at all.
MM: Where is Peterborough in the league right now?
BT: We are currently 17th. Recently I have been on loan to a team in the Conference, Aldershot. They are in third place right now.
MM: What surprised you most about being here?
BT: The raw talent of every player.
MM: Anything negative?
BT: The facilities, that's the only negative, really.
MM: Which players do you admire?
BT: Rio Ferdinand. Since I was growing up, people say I look like him and that I play like him, and he is one of the best defenders in the world. And Bobby Moore.
MM: What about locally?
BT: They are all really good - Keith Kelly, Omar Daley, Shavar, Damion Williams - but really, the whole team. Even people on the bench. For instance, Lenny (Hyde), (who was not selected to go to the qualifying tournament) is also quite good.
MM: How do you view training sessions here?
BT: They concentrate more on technical work as opposed to shape work, where the players should be in relationship to the ball. And there are more passing drillings in England. Going forward, no worries, we just need to learn more positional play and being more disciplined.
MM: At what stage in England was that kind of training stressed?
BT: From 15 upwards.
MM: How did the team do against Guatemala?
BT: Really well. We should have won by 4 or 5 goals. We should have won the tie there.
MM: What about yourself?
BT: So far, I think I have done really well and hopefully I can continue to do well.
MM: What are your expectations for this upcoming tournament?
BT: Obviously, every team will be decent. I'm not sure what to expect.
MM: Bradley, Thank you for kindly consenting to this interview. Best wishes for you and the rest of team.
BT: Thank you very much.
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