The schoolboy football season has ended, and St George's College successfully defended their Manning Cup title, while Jamaica College finally got their hands on the Walker Cup trophy. St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) were the highlight of the rural area boys competition, walking away with the daCosta Cup, while an ever-strong Glenmuir contingent copped yet another Ben Francis Cup title.
Even though football is a team sport there has always been that one player who distinguishes himself from the other 21 on the field on any given match day.
These outstanding players have not only caught the eyes of TEENage with their breathtaking shooting, eloquent link play and effective shot stopping, but have also left pundits' and coaches' awestruck.
So after serious deliberations, TEENage have decided to share with you our picks for best 11 players of the schoolboy football season.
Ashani Walker -- Jamaica College
The Jamaica College maestro is one of the many schoolboy footballers who stood out this season. Imitating the skills of his idol Ronaldinho, Walker was a menace to the many defenders he encountered . Playing from an attacking midfield position, he was able to find the back of the net on 17 occasions, while creating over 30 assists for his team. Already a Manning Cup veteran, the 17-year-old Jamaica College student and rising star from Waterhouse FC, who has already made his way into the national youth programme, is definitely a bright prospect for the future.
Ricardo Webb -- Glenmuir High
Like all captains should, Ricardo Webb led his Glenmuir High teamates from the front. Acting as the engine of his team, Webb powered Glenmuir to the Ben Francis Cup title. At only 18 years old, Webb already possesses leadership qualities that can only improve as the years go by and he gains more experience.
Guided by the well-respected Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, Webb was able to score on six occasions, while creating 25 opportunities for his fellow teammates. With scouts and local coaches on the lookout for young talents across the island, this ambitious and hardworking young man is bound to draw some attention.
Omar Holness -- Wolmer's Boys
Though only 15 years old, Holness has shown character on the football field that far exceeds his age. Being among the elite youths of our country to have undergone English Premier League trial, his impressive statistics for the season justify him being chosen . Despite playing for barely half of the season as a result of injury, his 10 plus assists and three goals provided great support in Wolmer's' progression beyond the group stages. Eagerly awaiting another call-up from the managing team of the Sunderland Football Club, Holness is determined to improve his game.
Oneil Fisher -- St George's College
"We conceded less goals this season because this young man improved," were the words uttered by Neville 'Burtis' Bell during a brief interview last week. The subject of this bold statement was Oneil Fisher, the sweeper and the heartbeat of the defensive line of back-to-back Manning Cup champions St George's College. With Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand as his role model, we can see why the champions recorded an impressive nine clean sheets during the course of the season. With aspirations to become a professional footballer, a level head and a drive to to be the best can turn Oneil into one of the best defenders the country has ever seen.
Deshorn Brown -- STETHS
It must be an amazing feeling to be able to boast that, across the island, you are the leading scorer for an entire schoolboy football season. Well, Brown is one player in such a position as he fired his team to rural area schoolboy supremacy -- the daCosta Cup. Despite missing his target of scoring 40 goals for the season, the 26 goals he scored and the countless chances he created for his fellow teammates are nothing to be disappointed about. On the local circuit, he admires the Harbour View Football Club and aspires to deck their colours and rub shoulders with his local footballing hero, the relentless Lovell Palmer. With the proper guidance, our local shores may prove to be too small a playground for him to showcase his talents.
Macauley 'Jimmy' Tulloch -- St George's College
For many seasons, Tulloch has been touted as one of the most prolific and unstoppable strikers of urban area schoolboy football. If ever there was a season for him to fulfil this potential it was the just-concluded one, as he was an integral member of St George's College's (STGC) title challenge. Making the journey across the border from Kingston College, he achieved what he had failed to do with the purple-and-white-clad men -- win the Manning Cup. In scoring 22 of his team's 57 goals, STGC got a good replacement from their neighbours to compensate for the loss of their striking duo Kemar Malcolm and Shamar Shelton. With a body structure similar to that of former national striker Onandi Lowe and with a similarly powerful strike, the future looks bright for this young talisman. Already proving to be a "big moment" player, he won the decisive penalty in the Manning Cup Finals and converted it to give his team the title. This he states was his most memorable moment. At present, he says he is linked with clubs in the US, Norway and Portugal.
Andre Blake -- Glenmuir High
One of the most outstanding feats by any goalkeeper is a save from the penalty spot. Well, one particular occasion in which Blake felt proud of himself was a save against Garvey Maceo -- his team ran out 2-0 victors. This was one of the 15 clean sheets the Glenmuir custodian kept for the entire season, which is by all means a superb accomplishment. At only 19 years old, his experience and talent are beyond his yers and he has proved that he is indeed ready for top-class action. He has been incorporated into the fold of Digicel Premier League team Sporting Central, where he was started in seven games to date. He was a member of the Jamaican U-20 squad, which made it to the final round of the World Cup Qualifiers, so he has also been tested on an international scale.
Jamiel Kevon Hardware -- Bridgeport
Hardware was one of the key midfield players in the team from the Sunshine City, Bridgeport. With eight goals and countless assists, Hardware was always the go-to man for Bridgeport when everyone else failed. The Bridgeport team was so dependent on his defence-splitting passes and breathtaking finishes, that after scoring in the Manning Cup finals and going down injured , the Bridgeport coaching staff refused to take him off the field and his inefficiency for the rest of the game led to the downfall of the boys from Portmore. At 17, the young man is currently eyeing the Boys' Town Premier League team as his next stepping stone and he is bound to raise some international eyebrows in the near future.
Allan Ottey -- St James High
From the bloodline of a great sporting personality, Allan Thimmoy Ottey is without a doubt one of Jamaica's brightest prospects for international stardom in the football arena. Last season's leading goalscorer in schoolboy football, Ottey was closely watched by all defenders this season. That, however, did not prevent him from scoring 17 times. A player who admires the likes of Barcelona's Thierry Henry, Ottey's monster-like figure and venomous strikes from in and around the 18-yard box puts him amongst the best to ever grace the schoolboy arena. As if rubbing shoulders with the likes of Theodore Whitmore at Seba United was not enough, Ottey took it one step further and is now a regular feature in the Digicel Premier League for Village United. Under the tutelage of another legendary striker Paul 'Tegat' Davis, the club seems to be on the up since the injection of Ottey and a few other Western schoolboys.
Marvin 'Mr Man' Morgan -- St George's College
Voted the Most Valuable Player of the Manning Cup finals, Marvin Morgan is arguably the player of the season. Transferred from Mona High School, his success has proven that Neville 'Bertis' Bell is not only tactically inclined, but also has a keen eye for talent. Already being touted as the black Lionel Messi, Morgan left his opponents astounded with knitting passes and unbelievable goals, two of which propelled his team to the Manning Cup title, and left fans speechless. The main man behind the success of teammate Macauley Tulloch, Morgan took time out from assisting to score 17 goals . Following in the footsteps of his father and role model Marvin Morgan Snr, 'Mr Man' is determined to make it to the top. At 17, Morgan has already made strides overseas with his name being linked to English Premier League outfit Birmingham City. Jamaica has been unable to qualify for the World Cup after 1998 and with the current crop of players seemingly too old for the next World Cup any qualification campaign in the near future could fall in the hands of the diminutive figure.
Darren Mattocks Bridgeport High
So close yet so far. This most be thought invading the mind of the five-year veteran of the Manning Cup who had his eyes set on claiming urban area footballing glory. He was only able to lead his team-mates to the final of the prestigious competition. With a personal target of 35 goals for the season, Darren was only able to score 23, but should certainly be proud of his achievement as he was the leading goal-getting of the competition. He is described by his coach, Anthony Patrick, as a true leader and a role model for his team-mates.
"You just cannot replace a player like Darren", was the words he shared when sharing with the TEENage Sports team that he would be without his captain for next season's competition. His prowess has allowed him to claim goals for Waterhouse Football Club in the local U-21 football league in addition to cameo appearances for Waterhouse in the Digicel Premier League. With the characteristics he is boasted to possess and a keen eye for goal, Darren seems to have what it takes to excel on the football pitch.
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Registered: 03/25/01
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Very interesting list.......and hopefully they can do damage at the CONCACAF U20 level but they will need to gain more experience at a higher level schoolboy at least starting with the DPL.
Omar Holness is easily the most naturally talented player ive seen in Jamaica. He NEEDS to get some top level coaching a.s.a.p. Sunderland shud snap him up!
Registered: 03/25/01
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Holness should try to complete his high school education at a English or Spanish club academy. If he is already a top schoolboy at 15, he does not need to waste his time at that level for another 2-3 seasons. Forward my yute.
These yutes are the same age-group and skill-levels that the academies of the world's top clubs, either at home or abroad, are looking for right now.
The clubs won't know they're there in Jamaica unless someone markets them.
That's the 'raw material' of the football business right there in Jamaica an man an man still finding excuses why Jamaica nah move up in the football world.
These yutes are the same age-group and skill-levels that the academies of the world's top clubs, either at home or abroad, are looking for right now.
I don't know that I agree with the veracity of this sentiment, Ric. And it's not just you, it's just about everyone that's posted in this thread.
How many years have we been watching or playing schoolboy football in Jamaica? Haven't we been seeing (what we thought was) absolutely astonishing talent, since "Whappi was a boy?" So this is nothing new, then, is it? If they are as good as we think they are, how come only a precious few usually progress beyond this stage?
I'm not saying the yutes aren't talented or show tremendous promise, but we need to temper our enthusiasm and have it fall more in line with reality.
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Think you hyping them up a little too much Ric. But i hear what you saying. Omar, although is a kid ive known all his life is no Sterling. He's special relative to what we have here though. and ye given the proper training he could become a big player for us oneday. What i would love to see is some of our youngsters get a good run out in the senior team. Maybe not 15 yr old omar (altho eto'o debuted at 14) but guys like johnson,orgill,blake,morgan
Registered: 03/25/01
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We have called some of these schoolers to the senior national team camps this year. But in terms of international game experience, let us see what they can do at the u21/u20 level, first.
My comments have nothing to do with 'hyping up' or 'over-enthusiasm'.
Last weekend, Birmingham City signed up their under-9 squad to their contracts in a half-time, public ceremony at the Everton match; under 9s on contract, mind you.
My comments have to do with showing how disconnected Jamaica is to the world-wide international football professional system that is in place and has been for many years now.
If these yutes were planning a career in football, their parents would already be in contact with whichever football agents that work in or with Jamaica.
They wouldn't be waiting for Burrell, the JFF or any football club to get their sons on the football market.
What makes these yutes any different from Freddie Adu when they do get into a proper professional set-up ?
They will either succeed or fail on their own merits.
Jamaica has no connection or system to provide them that opportunity and that is my point.
Agree with you Ric, especially on the point you suggest parents needs to take some initiative. I am from the Birmingham area and I have seen countless number of kids (under 12)and over who are in the blues academy. It does not matter how talented they are their parents did not sit around waiting for the FA or some club to come snap them up. The parents are always trying to make some contact with some league or coaches to put their kids in the shop window so others can see them.
There is already enough talent to do better than 1998, what JFF does to cultivate that is another question, all these players should have been called and have been playing together, if JFF cant get it toghether now then what hope do we have for 2014.
I agree that parents of to do some marketing of the players if football is the chosen path. I know parents who schedule their life around their kids soccer practise and games. They spend their cash to get the kids into camps organized by scouts, sponsor their kids soccer team's so they can go to youth tornaments in Europe and the States, buy plane tickets so their kids can go on trials. etc and nothing is guaranteed
We can talk about these players all we want but they need the help to improve their game and to market their skills. The clubs have no concept of player development and only care about winning now.
Nuff man sitting down waiting on the JFF to call them but not everyone can play for Jamaica to get exposure. People need to stop this sitting down waiting for someone in power to help. Why have an ongoing hunger when you can go plant your own seeds.
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Originally Posted By: Ric
These yutes are the same age-group and skill-levels that the academies of the world's top clubs, either at home or abroad, are looking for right now.
The clubs won't know they're there in Jamaica unless someone markets them. That's the 'raw material' of the football business right there in Jamaica an man an man still finding excuses why Jamaica nah move up in the football world.
Excuses neva put food pon no one's table yet !
Use your contacts nuh!
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