Dec 07,2001

CARL Brown, the man who has played second fiddle to three Brazilians over the past seven years, is to finally get his chance as technical director of Jamaica's football.

In making the "bombshell" announcement yesterday, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, captain Horace Burrell, said Brown would first be required to spend a year's attachment with the English Premier League club, Bolton Wanderers, before taking up his contract.

During Brown's period of "apprenticeship" in England, assistant coach, Peter Cargill, will act as head coach of the national senior programme.

On his return, Brown will be in "full-time" charge of Jamaica's qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

He will be hoping to emulate the achievement of Rene Simoes, who made history by guiding the Reggae Boyz to the 1998 World Cup in France. Like his Brazilian predecessors, Simoes, Sebastiao Lazaroni and Clovis de Oliveira, he will also supervise Jamaica's age-group national teams as well as the various national coaching programmes.

Burrell had steadfastly insisted in recent months -- following the sacking of de Oliveira -- that he would again be contracting a foreign technical director because of the lack of professional experience among local coaches, including Brown.

But yesterday he said the training stint with Bolton "in a full time professional" environment would leave the 51-year-old Brown fully qualified for the job.

"No doubt there will be tremendous challenges ahead but I am pretty confident that on his return from his one-year stint in England the private sector, the government, the people of Jamaica and more importantly, our players, will have total confidence and respect in our new technical director.

"The Jamaica Football Federation will be putting full support behind coach Brown as we are confident that he can do the job ...," Burrell said yesterday.

Brown enjoyed success as Jamaica's head coach in 1990-94, winning the Caribbean Cup in 1991 and shocking the CONCACAF region by guiding then lowly Jamaica to third place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1993.

In 1998 in the absence of Simoes, the former national captain also guided an under-strength Jamaica team to the Shell Cup title against hosts and many-time winners, Trinidad and Tobago in that country.

Brown told journalists yesterday he considered himself up to the task of taking "Jamaica's football a little further".

"I have always felt that it is something that I want to do. It is something that I feel I can do," Brown, who served as deputy to Brazilians Simoes, Lazaroni and de Oliveira, insisted.

Burrell said Brown would sign a contract for the technical director's post following his return from England in a year's time.

Having signed as technical director, Brown would receive a salary comparable to that of his Brazilian predecessors, Burrell appeared to suggest. De Oliveira was said to be receiving in excess of US$30,000 per month at the time of his dismissal.

While in England, Brown, whose attachment with Bolton followed intense negotiations led by British football agent, Phil Graham (who was at yesterday's press conference), will scout for English-based talent and remain in touch with national players there, Burrell said.

Brown will also use his "contacts" to set up training camps for national teams on English soil.

Sunday, September 02, 2001
Johnson's Signing to Bolton

PROMISING Jamaican midfielder, Jermaine Johnson, should be a full-time professional with English Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers, by Friday.

 Football agent, Phillip Graham, made the disclosure at a press briefing at the National Stadium's hospitality room yesterday.

 Last Thursday, Johnson was granted a three-year work permit. He now has to pass a medical test to seal the deal, which he'll take after his return to England following Jamaica's World Cup game against Honduras on Wednesday.

 Johnson was snapped up by Bolton from Tivoli Gardens FC for a whopping tranfer fee of £750,000. Tivoli will see a percentage of this sum immediately, with the rest to be paid over a period of time, depending on the youngster's performance. "It could take up to 40 games," Graham suggested.

 Graham, however, was not giving away any detail of Johnson's contract but said the player had worked very hard.

Jermaine's Debut

Sam Allardyce heaped praise on the shoulders of Jermaine Johnson after the Jamaican made an impressive debut at Arsenal on Saturday.

While it was an afternoon to forget at Highbury for Reggae Boyz team-mate Ricardo Gardner, it was a memorable debut for the talented midfielder.

The 21-year-old only finalised his move to the Reebok Stadium earlier in the week, but he was handed a shock debut after injuries robbed Allardyce of some of his more experienced midfielders.

However, Johnson did not disappoint with a fine performance, and he could now retain his place in the side for this Saturday's visit of Sunderland.

"Everyone played their part at Arsenal but Jermaine was outstanding," enthused Allardyce. "I brought him in because I didn't want to change our system because of the injuries to Per Frandsen, Gareth Farrelly and Nicky Southall.

"Jermaine allowed me to do that. He had a fantastic debut and got into some great positions." 

Barry Hayles to retire?

BARRY Hayles could give up his international career with Jamaica as he looks to put club before country and concentrate on his Cottagers career.

The 29 year-old attacker missed several games for Fulham last season because he had to travel to the Caribbean for World Cup qualification matches.

But Jamaica have not reached the finals in Japan and Korea next summer, leaving Hayles re-thinking his future with The Reggae Boyz.

The Lambeth-born forward revealed: "We didn't qualify and the long journeys have caught up with me.

"I've got to sit down and have a think about whether I make the journeys if I'm called up again. Travelling over there can lead to me missing games for Fulham and I need to think about that."

Dec 20, 2001
Hearts Deal for Impressive Fuller

Hearts have offered Jamaican striker, Ricardo Fuller, a deal to stay until the end of the season -- and expect a decision in the next 48 hours.

The player's agent has been in Edinburgh since last Friday negotiating the fine details of Fuller's contract extension with Chris Robinson and Craig Levein.

The Tivoli Gardens hitman has been a roaring success at Tynecastle since arriving on a three-month loan deal from the Caribbean in October. Hearts are desperate to hang onto him and expect a positive answer from Fuller -- by pledging himself to Gorgie Road until May.

Despite scoring just twice for Hearts, Fuller is a firm favourite amongst supporters of the improving Gorgie club.

His ability to bring others into the play in the attacking third is a commodity which has been missing for too long at Tynecastle.

He is also the type of player who brings extra supporters through the turnstiles. Fuller is undoubtedly an entertainer, and there are times in matches when it seems the player himself does not know what he's going to do with the ball next -- prompting one teammate to liken him to former Rangers enigma, Gabriel Amato.

Levein does not have anyone with comparable ability at his disposal and it would be a major blow if Fuller was to surprise everyone and fail to reach agreement with the club.

Yet, it is understood that both clubs have already agreed that Fuller can see out the remainder of the season at Tynecastle, but with a price of £1 million on his head it is likely that May will see the end of Fuller's association with the club.

Jan. 2002
Wales wants Ricardo to stay

Striker Gary Wales believes that it would be in the club's best interests to keep Ricardo Fuller at Hearts beyond his season-long loan.

Wales has been the Jamaican's regular striking partner since the recent injury to Stephane Adam, and the two are now beginning to develop that telepathic understanding that any prolific strike partnership needs.

Both were on the scoresheet at Tannadice yesterday in a comfortable 2-0 win for Craig Levein's side - a result which atones for an early season defeat to The Tangerines.

Afterwards, Wales admitted that he believes it was vitally important Hearts brought in an entertainer after all the recent big-money, big-name departures from Gorgie.

Wales admitted: "Ricardo's been exactly what Hearts needed, I think. We've got a few similar players up front with myself and Andy Kirk and Ricardo brings an extra dimension to our play.

The two of us have played together in the last few games so we're starting to get to know each other a bit."
"He's a bag of tricks and sometimes you don't know yourself what's going to happen, but you've just got to get in the box and hopefully you get something off him," claimed the former Hamilton hitman.

Wales also admitted it was reassuring to fill the void left after Juanjo's departure to Bradford. He said: "You can see the fans have taken to him. He's a fans favourite.
“After losing Juanjo the big man's come in. People weren't actually sure of him after the Hibs game but you can see, with a bit of patience, the big man can do a great job."

And in a plea to the Tynecastle money-men Wales insisted: "Ricardo can only keep doing what he's doing.
“His long-term future out of the players hands and obviously the gaffer would love to keep him but it's up to the chairman. We'd love to see him stay here."

Editor: Ricardo has scored 7 goals for SPL Hearts so far.

Hall offered QPR Trial

Second Division QPR have offered a trial to the out-of-favour Paul Hall, who last week turned down a loan move to Port Vale.
Hall could have made a temporary switch to Vale Park but decided to turn down the offer even though his first-team chances at Walsall look slim to say the least.
Despite the fact he played a key role in helping The Saddlers win promotion via the play-offs last season, he has gone down the pecking order this term.
Rangers boss Ian Holloway has been desperately trying to bring in at least one pacy, direct winger - the type of which he currently lacks - and the 29-year-old Hall certainly fits into that category, and could be set for a move to Loftus Road.
Hall has effectively had more match action for Jamaica than Walsall this season after deciding to come out of international retirement for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras.

Editor: Paul Hall has since signed with 3rd Div. Rushden and Diamonds along with Onandi Lowe.

Lowe still lot to learn - Talbot

Brian Talbot has hailed the arrival of loan star Onandi Lowe but admits he still has much to learn about playing in the lower divisions.

Following his loan move from MLS outfit Kansas City Wizards, Lowe has appeared twice for The Diamonds, scoring on his debut in the 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers.
And the Jamaica international has received special praise from Talbot as the big hitman begins to find his feet in English football.
However, The Diamonds chief is adamant that the striker still has much to learn and said: "I think he'll learn about the pace of the game, he'll learn about the players that make tough physical challenges against him, but obviously everyone else can see the boy has got ability.

"He can spring and he's got a good left-foot, he's got a lot of pace for a big man and some of the passing he has shown is excellent.
"The player is good, you don't play 55 times for your country if you're an idiot, he is obviously a decent player and he is a lovely lad."

Talbot also believes that the arrival of Lowe will benefit the other players around him, non-more-so than fellow hitman Scott Partridge. He added: "Another good thing is that he has fitted in very quickly with the lads and Scott needed a big player with him, he's not the biggest and you don't get much bigger than Onandi Lowe."

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Brown fancies Boyd's return
Dec. 20,2001

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) -- Jamaica's football technical director designate, Carl Brown, declared Tuesday that temperamental striker, Walter Boyd, is in his plans for the future.

Brown, who was speaking on the KLAS Radio programme, Scoreboard, said Boyd, who is representing defending champions, Arnett Gardens, in the National Premier League, was enjoying good form and he hoped he will continue that form for a long time.

"I've always said that Walter is a good player and he has a future in the national programme," said 52 year-old Brown.

"Walter has to realise, however, that he is closer to 30 now and his options are running out. I have him in my plans for the future because he is a good player who can serve his country well," said Brown.

Boyd has been in and out of the national programme in recent years, and has had many clashes with former technical director, Rene Simoes, and to a lesser extent, fellow Brazilian technical director, Clovis deOliviera.

He has not been a regular member of the squad in recent World Cup qualification matches.

However, his relationship with Brown has been good over the years and it is widely felt that when the Jamaica Football Federation announced Brown as the technical director designate on December 5, Boyd was even more motivated to lift his game.

"It has been said that he has improved his game because of my appointment and that would be a good feeling," said Brown.

Wolde Harris out of the MLS

MLS has decided not to renew the contract of New England forward Wolde Harris, following his subpar 2001 season.
According to the Jamaican forward’s agent, Ken Neal, MLS informed them on Wednesday of their decision not to renew Harris’ contract with the league, which owns all player contracts under the single-entity system.

Harris, 27, finished with only three goals and five assists in a disappointing year for both he and his club, especially in light of his spectacular debut with the Revs in 2000, when he scored 15 goals and added seven assists. The five-year MLS veteran, who played his first three years in Colorado, scored 44 goals over 135 games played.

The Clemson University grad has also appeared numerous times for his country, including during the Jamaican’s successful qualifying campaign for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the first in the country’s history.

There are two scenarios in which Harris could return to the league: if he were to re-sign to a lower salary or if he was “re-discovered” by another MLS club while playing in another league and brought back to the league as a Discovery Player.
New England and Major League Soccer were unavailable for comment at the time of this report. The decision makes Harris a free agent as of January 1, 2002.

 

Hearts have softened to Fuller
Jan 12,2002

CRAIG Levein admits that Scottish Premier League side, Hearts, are considering attempting to keep Jamaican international striker, Ricardo Fuller, but that financial restraints will dictate any transfer progress.

The wily forward has won the backing of Hearts fans with a string of impressive displays since his arrival at Tynecastle on loan from Tivoli Gardens, and his performances have gone a long way towards reviving enthusiasm at Hearts and helping the club begin to climb the SPL once more.

And that has led to a shift in position at Tynecastle, with Levein suggesting that the club may attempt to come to a deal with the player's club, but insisting that they will not meet the £1 million price tag which has been suggested.

The Hearts boss said: "I do detect a willingness at the club to do something. I don't want to get people's hopes up from the point of view that something is going to happen, it is a long way away from that.

"We were not expecting to have to pay £1 million for Fuller, that was the furthest thing in our minds when we brought him here.

"And obviously we have already made commitments to the bank to reduce the costs at the club, but there is movement towards doing something."

Reggaeboyz Clubs

English Premiership

Derby County FC 
Darryl Powell, Deon Burton
Chelsea
Frank Sinclair
Boldon Wanderers
Ricardo Gardener
Jermaine Johnson
Fulham FC
Barry Hayles

Nationwide 1st Div.
Wimbledon 
 M. Gayle
Bradford City 
J. Lawrence

Nationwide 3rd Div.
Hull City FC
Theodore Whitmore
Ian Goodison
Rushden & Diamonds
Paul Hall
Onandi Lowe

Scottish Premier League
Hearts
Ricardo Fuller

MLS (USA)
N. E. Revs. - A. Williams
Colorado Rapids - C. Dawes

France
Paris St. Germain - (K. Kelley)

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