This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Jamaica at World Cup 1998 |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index
Jamaica is known for its fine athletes. Lennox Lewis, Usain Bolt Donovan Bailey, etc all came from Jamaica. Several Jamaican-born footballers such as England's John Barnes became star players in the UK and the United States. However, its national football team never made almost any impact in the international stage until 1997. In 1998, the Reggae Boyz qualified for the World Cup Finals in France. Their success story was a mixture of a golden generation of homegrown talents and the mobilization of British Jamaican footballers in the English Preimer League. I have written a blog about the British-Jamaicans on Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team.
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| Bob Marley playing against Alan Cole |
At the time of writing, David James is the third all-time Premier league appearance record holder. He starred for Liverpool as one of the "Spice Boys" in the 1990's. However, his reputation suffered after a series of blunders, earning the nickname of "Calamity James". He later played for Aston Villa, West Ham, Portsmouth, Manchester City, etc. He picked up 53 caps for England. He was the starting keeper at the European Champions in 2004 and the World Cup Finals in 2010.
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| David James |
Warren Barrett played for Cornwell college before becoming a professional. He played mostly for Violet Kickers F.C., but also played one season for Wadadah F.C. in Jamaica. He captained his nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. According to the Jamaica Football Federation, Barrett earned 127 caps between 1990 and 2000 for the Reggae Boyz, but this figure has not been officially acknowledged by FIFA.
GK: Andre Blake (Jamaica)
Since 2016, Andre Blake became the starting goalkeeper for Philadelphia Union. At the time of writing, he was voted as the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year three times. Before that, hge played NCAA football. For Jamaica, he earned his first cap in 2014. He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Glove Award in 2017 as Jamaica reached the final. He had over 70 caps for Reggae Boyz.
RB: Viv Anderson (England)
In 1978, Viv Anderson became the first Black player to play for the English senior national team. He would earn 30 caps between 1978 and 1988. He was on two World Cup team: 1982 and 1986, and two European Championshiop team: 1980 and 1988. He was a part of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forrest team that won back-to-back European Cup in 1979 and 1980. He also played for Arsenal, Manchester United and and Sheffield Wednesday.
RB: Kyle Walker (England)
Kyle Walker started with boyhood club Sheffield United and made his name with Tottenham Hotspurs after loan spells with Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa. In 2017, he joined Manchester City for one of the most expensive fees. At the time of writing, he has over 30 caps. He went to the European Championship in 2016 and the World Cup Finals in 2018.
RB: Viv Anderson (England)
In 1978, Viv Anderson became the first Black player to play for the English senior national team. He would earn 30 caps between 1978 and 1988. He was on two World Cup team: 1982 and 1986, and two European Championshiop team: 1980 and 1988. He was a part of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forrest team that won back-to-back European Cup in 1979 and 1980. He also played for Arsenal, Manchester United and and Sheffield Wednesday.
RB: Kyle Walker (England)
Kyle Walker started with boyhood club Sheffield United and made his name with Tottenham Hotspurs after loan spells with Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa. In 2017, he joined Manchester City for one of the most expensive fees. At the time of writing, he has over 30 caps. He went to the European Championship in 2016 and the World Cup Finals in 2018.
RB/CB: Frank Sinclair (Jamaica)
Frank Sinclair started his career with Chelsea where he spent 8 seasons. He won the FA Cup in 1996-1997. And he won a League Cup with Leicester Town in 2000. He played for many clubs all over England in the lower division at the end of his career. His performance in England led him to be call-up by Jamaica for the 1998 World Cup Finals in 1998. He was one of 7 English-born Jamaican players on the team. He played 28 caps for Jamaica between 1998 and 2003.
CB: Sol Campbell (England)
Sol Campbell was one of the greatest English defenders. He was a member of Arsenal's "Invincibles" that went undefeated in 2003-2004 season. At the club level, he spent 9 seasons for Tottenham Hotspurs and served as its captain before moving to its rival Arsenal on a free transfer that sparked a controversy. He later played for Portsmouth. For England, he earned 73 caps in 11 years. He went to three World Cup Finals: 1998, 2002 and 2006.
CB: Des Walker (England)
Des Walker played 59 times for England between 1988 and 1993. He started in all of England's games at the World Cup Finals in 1990. He was rated as one of the best defender at that Finals. For club football, he mainly played for Nottingham Forrest between 1984 and 1992, and Sheffield Wednesday between 1993 and 2001. He played one season at Sampdoria in Italy after the 1990 World Cup Finals. He was even named in their PFA Team of Century between 1977 and 1996.
CB: Wes Morgan (Jamaica)
Rejected by Notts County, Morgan was playing for non-league team before being discovered by Nottingham Forest in 2002. In 2012, he moved to Leicester Town. In the 2015-2016 season, he played every minute of Leicester Town's historical Preimership winning year and also served as the team's captain. At the time of writing, he had 30 caps for Jamaica.
LB/LW: Ashley Young (England)
Young started his career at Watford. In January 2007, he transferred to Aston Villa. He established himself in the first team at Villa Park and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2009. In 2011, Young signed for Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. He has gone on to win every trophy available in English football. He also played for Everton, Inter Milan and Aston Villa. He played 39 times for England between 2007 and 2018.
LB/LW: Ricardo Gardner (Jamaica)
Gardner started with Harbour View at home. His performances for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup attracted English First Division side Bolton Wanderers. He played 14 seasons for Bolton Wanderers of which 11 were spent in the Premier League. Gardner earned 112 caps for the Jamaica national football team, scoring 9 goals and playing at four CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He had 112 caps and went to the 1998 WC Finals.
DM/CM: Kalvin Philips (England)
Philips made his debut with Leeds in 2015. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for Championship in 2020. In 2022, he was transferred to Manchester City. He was a part of the team that won the treble. In 2020, he earned his first cap with England. Later, he had a starring role at the Euro 2020 after England reached the Final. He was named England's 2020–21 Men's Player of the Year.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the son of former England international Mark Chamberlain. He made his name with Southampton. He signed for Arsenal in 2011 after a single season at the senior level. Between 2017 and 2023, he played for Liverpool, winning the 2018–19 Champions League and 2019–20 Premier League. In 2023, he joined Besiktas in Turkey. Between 2012 and 2019, he had 35 caps. He participated at the European Championship in 2012 and the World Cup Finals in 2014.
Frank Sinclair started his career with Chelsea where he spent 8 seasons. He won the FA Cup in 1996-1997. And he won a League Cup with Leicester Town in 2000. He played for many clubs all over England in the lower division at the end of his career. His performance in England led him to be call-up by Jamaica for the 1998 World Cup Finals in 1998. He was one of 7 English-born Jamaican players on the team. He played 28 caps for Jamaica between 1998 and 2003.
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| Frank Sinclair |
Sol Campbell was one of the greatest English defenders. He was a member of Arsenal's "Invincibles" that went undefeated in 2003-2004 season. At the club level, he spent 9 seasons for Tottenham Hotspurs and served as its captain before moving to its rival Arsenal on a free transfer that sparked a controversy. He later played for Portsmouth. For England, he earned 73 caps in 11 years. He went to three World Cup Finals: 1998, 2002 and 2006.
CB: Des Walker (England)
Des Walker played 59 times for England between 1988 and 1993. He started in all of England's games at the World Cup Finals in 1990. He was rated as one of the best defender at that Finals. For club football, he mainly played for Nottingham Forrest between 1984 and 1992, and Sheffield Wednesday between 1993 and 2001. He played one season at Sampdoria in Italy after the 1990 World Cup Finals. He was even named in their PFA Team of Century between 1977 and 1996.
CB: Wes Morgan (Jamaica)
Rejected by Notts County, Morgan was playing for non-league team before being discovered by Nottingham Forest in 2002. In 2012, he moved to Leicester Town. In the 2015-2016 season, he played every minute of Leicester Town's historical Preimership winning year and also served as the team's captain. At the time of writing, he had 30 caps for Jamaica.
LB/LW: Ashley Young (England)
Young started his career at Watford. In January 2007, he transferred to Aston Villa. He established himself in the first team at Villa Park and won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2009. In 2011, Young signed for Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. He has gone on to win every trophy available in English football. He also played for Everton, Inter Milan and Aston Villa. He played 39 times for England between 2007 and 2018.
LB/LW: Ricardo Gardner (Jamaica)
Gardner started with Harbour View at home. His performances for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup attracted English First Division side Bolton Wanderers. He played 14 seasons for Bolton Wanderers of which 11 were spent in the Premier League. Gardner earned 112 caps for the Jamaica national football team, scoring 9 goals and playing at four CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He had 112 caps and went to the 1998 WC Finals.
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| Ricardo Gardner |
Philips made his debut with Leeds in 2015. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for Championship in 2020. In 2022, he was transferred to Manchester City. He was a part of the team that won the treble. In 2020, he earned his first cap with England. Later, he had a starring role at the Euro 2020 after England reached the Final. He was named England's 2020–21 Men's Player of the Year.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the son of former England international Mark Chamberlain. He made his name with Southampton. He signed for Arsenal in 2011 after a single season at the senior level. Between 2017 and 2023, he played for Liverpool, winning the 2018–19 Champions League and 2019–20 Premier League. In 2023, he joined Besiktas in Turkey. Between 2012 and 2019, he had 35 caps. He participated at the European Championship in 2012 and the World Cup Finals in 2014.
CM: Peter Cargill (Jamaica)
Peter Cargill also played for local sides Swallowfield FC, CC Lions, Hazard United and Harbour View and also spent 8 years in Israel with Maccabi Netanya from 1987 and 1994 and Hapoel Petah Tikva for a season. He captained the Reggae Boyz and was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He collected a total of 84 caps from 1984 to 1998 and scored 3 times.
AM/CM: Theodore Whitmore (Jamaica)
Whitmore is considered one of the greatest player who had played for Jamaica. He started his club career at Montego Bay Boys Club, and has since played for Violet Kickers and Seba United in his native Jamaica. He was signed on a free by English league side Hull City, but an accident in Jamaica cut short his Hull career. Scottish team Livingston acquired his services in 2003, and in June 2004 he signed for Tranmere Rovers. He had 127 caps for Jamaica.
FW/RW: Raheem Sterling (England)
Sterling broke into the Liverpool lineup as a 17 years old in 2012, where he became their star players until 2015. In the spring of 2015, he had a contract disputes with the club. He moved to Manchester City for 44 million pounds. He made his national team debut in 2012. He played at Brazil 2014. In 2019, he won the FWA Player of the Year. Liked John Barnes, he was born in Jamaica.
AM: Alan Cole (Jamaica)
At the peak of his powers, Cole was a midfield maestro local fans compared to Pele. He remains the Jamaica's youngest senior football international, donning national colours against a Brazilian team when he was only 15 years old. Cole played in the NASL with the Atlanta Chiefs in 1968, and in Brazil with Náutico around 1972. He is largely known as one of Jamaica's greatest footballer. In addition to his football career, Cole was also the manager of the Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley and his band The Wailers. He was credited as co-writing the 1976 song "War".
FW: Lindy Delapenha (Jamaica)
Delapenha was discovered while serving in the British Armed Force. In April 1948 he joined Portsmouth. There, he became the first Jamaican to play professional football in England. In 1950, he transferred to Middlesbrough where his career took off. He became Boro's leading scorer in the 1951–52, 1953–54 and 1955–56 seasons. He moved to Mansfield Town in 1958. Delapenha played non-league football, Hereford United and Burton Albion. He won the Southern League Cup in 1964 with Burton.
FW: Gil Heron (Jamaica/Canada)
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to Canada as a youth. He played for Detroit Corinthians and Detroit Wolverines, where he was top goalscorer in the 1946 season. He was spotted by a scout from Glasgow Celtic where he became the first Black to play for Celtic. He also played for Third Lanark and English club Kidderminster Harriers before moving back to Detroit Corinthians. At Celtic he earned the nicknames "The Black Arrow" and "The Black Flash".
ST: Ian Wright (England)
Wright was a legendary striker with Arsenal. Before joining Arsenal, he was a hero with Crystal Palace. At the time of writing, he was their highest goal scorer since the War. In 1991, he joined Arsenal. He spent 7 seasons with them, winning all three domestic trophies and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Despite being a top scorer in the domestic league(he scored over 20 goals every season from 1991 to 1998), he only played 33 times for England and was never selected for any of the major tournaments.
ST: Alberto Spencer (Ecuador)
Alberto Spencer was known as "Cabeza Mágica" (Spanish for magic head). He is still the all-time leading scorer in the Copa Libertadores' history. He is considered one of South America's greatest strikers. He won three Libertadores Cups and two Intercontinental Cups with Uruguay's Penarol. He was elected the 20th best South American footballer of the 20th century in a poll by the IFFHS in 2004. He also played for Everest and Barcelona at home.
ST: Dean Burton (Jamaica)
Between 1994 and 2016, Dean Burton played for numerous clubs in English football including Portsmouth, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday. In 1997, he became the first group of British-born footballers to play for Jamaica. He was their hero as Jamaica qualified for the World Cup for the first time. He was named Jamaican Sportsman of the Year in 1997. He had a total of 62 caps between 1997 and 2009. He was an important player for the Reggae Boyz.
Honorable Mention
Selwyn Murphy (Jamaica), Don Clarke (Jamaica), Orville Edwards (Jamaica) Aaron Lawrence (Jamaica), Alex Williams (England), Luther Blissett (England), Kieran Tripper (England), Jermaine Taylor (Jamaica), Tyrone Marshall (Jamaica), Adrian Mariappa (Jamaica), Chris Smalling (England), Resse James (England), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Danny Rose (England), Rodolph Austin (Jamaica), Kalvin Phillips (England), Mark Chamberlain (England), Jermaine Pennant (England), Aaron Lennon (England), Andros Townshed (England), Darius Vassell (England), Paul Davis (England), Claude Davis (Jamaica), Robbie Earle (Jamaica), Marcus Gayle (Jamaica), Paul Hall (Jamaica), Walter Boyd (Jamaica), Jeff Cunningham (USA), Robin Fraser (USA), Mark Chung (USA), Julian Guzman (Canada), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (England), Andros Townsend (England), Jack Leslie (England), Daniel Sturridge (England), Andy Cole (England), Darren Bent (England), Aaron Lennon (England), Onandi Lowe (Jamaica), Trevor Sinclair (England).
Squad Explanation
-- When I first started to work on this team in 2017, I wanted to reward Jamaican superstars such as John Barnes, Alberto Spencer, Sol Campbell and Laurie Cunningham. I thought that the team would be more interesting to include overseas Jamaicans. I redid the entire team in December, 2023. Then, I realised that I neglected a lot of great Jamaica international players. They deserved their own team without the overseas players. So I create an All-Time Team for Jamaican international players. Meanwhile, I did a blog entry on British-Jamaicans on Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, but at the time of creation, I did not have enough players to form a British Jamaican All-Time team. I did not have candidates for goalkeepers. However, in 2023, I reworked on it and created a British Jamaican All-Time team. I also did a review of Black Players who played for England at the same time.
-- Leon Bailey is an emerging player as of 2023. His future seemed bright. I usually gave priority to Jamaican international players, but Bailey is still fresh at this moment. Theo Walcott was only 17 years old when he went to the 2006 World Cup Finals, but he was passed over every other World Cup Finals during his time. Even with 47 caps, his career seemed unfulfilled. However, he played 564 senior games in the English league, scoring 129 goals largely from the right wing, and played 47 times for England. He remains England's youngest debutant and the youngest scorer of an international hat-trick. But in the end, I could not drop anyone else for him. I had to leave him out of the team. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain also played on the right side of the field in Arsenal. So he could serve as a backup winger.
Whitmore is considered one of the greatest player who had played for Jamaica. He started his club career at Montego Bay Boys Club, and has since played for Violet Kickers and Seba United in his native Jamaica. He was signed on a free by English league side Hull City, but an accident in Jamaica cut short his Hull career. Scottish team Livingston acquired his services in 2003, and in June 2004 he signed for Tranmere Rovers. He had 127 caps for Jamaica.
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| Theodore Whitmore |
Sterling broke into the Liverpool lineup as a 17 years old in 2012, where he became their star players until 2015. In the spring of 2015, he had a contract disputes with the club. He moved to Manchester City for 44 million pounds. He made his national team debut in 2012. He played at Brazil 2014. In 2019, he won the FWA Player of the Year. Liked John Barnes, he was born in Jamaica.
LW: John Barnes (England)
John Barnes was widely considered to be one of the greatest Liverpool players, where he formed one of their greatest team playing alongside Ian Rush, Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge and Ray Houghton. Before joining Liverpool, he played for Watford. At Watford, he also helped them to the Final of the FA Cup in 1984. He was voted PFA Player of the Year in 1988 and FWA Player of the Year in both 1988 and 1990. He played 79 times for England between 1983 and 1995. He helped England to reach the semifinal of Italia 1990.
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| John Barnes |
LW: Laurie Cunningham (England)
Cunnugham was considered to be the first Black star player in England and an icon for a generation of Black players in England. With Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, they formed an all-Black attack that was known as "The Three Degrees" with West Bromwich Albion in the late 1970's. In 1979, he became the first British player ever to play for Real Madrid. He returned to Manchester United in 1983. He was only capped 6 times by England and was overlooked for Euro 1980, despite starring at La Liga the season before.
Cunnugham was considered to be the first Black star player in England and an icon for a generation of Black players in England. With Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, they formed an all-Black attack that was known as "The Three Degrees" with West Bromwich Albion in the late 1970's. In 1979, he became the first British player ever to play for Real Madrid. He returned to Manchester United in 1983. He was only capped 6 times by England and was overlooked for Euro 1980, despite starring at La Liga the season before.
AM: Alan Cole (Jamaica)
At the peak of his powers, Cole was a midfield maestro local fans compared to Pele. He remains the Jamaica's youngest senior football international, donning national colours against a Brazilian team when he was only 15 years old. Cole played in the NASL with the Atlanta Chiefs in 1968, and in Brazil with Náutico around 1972. He is largely known as one of Jamaica's greatest footballer. In addition to his football career, Cole was also the manager of the Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley and his band The Wailers. He was credited as co-writing the 1976 song "War".
FW: Lindy Delapenha (Jamaica)
Delapenha was discovered while serving in the British Armed Force. In April 1948 he joined Portsmouth. There, he became the first Jamaican to play professional football in England. In 1950, he transferred to Middlesbrough where his career took off. He became Boro's leading scorer in the 1951–52, 1953–54 and 1955–56 seasons. He moved to Mansfield Town in 1958. Delapenha played non-league football, Hereford United and Burton Albion. He won the Southern League Cup in 1964 with Burton.
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| Lindy Delapenha |
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to Canada as a youth. He played for Detroit Corinthians and Detroit Wolverines, where he was top goalscorer in the 1946 season. He was spotted by a scout from Glasgow Celtic where he became the first Black to play for Celtic. He also played for Third Lanark and English club Kidderminster Harriers before moving back to Detroit Corinthians. At Celtic he earned the nicknames "The Black Arrow" and "The Black Flash".
ST: Ian Wright (England)
Wright was a legendary striker with Arsenal. Before joining Arsenal, he was a hero with Crystal Palace. At the time of writing, he was their highest goal scorer since the War. In 1991, he joined Arsenal. He spent 7 seasons with them, winning all three domestic trophies and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. Despite being a top scorer in the domestic league(he scored over 20 goals every season from 1991 to 1998), he only played 33 times for England and was never selected for any of the major tournaments.
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| Ian Wright |
Alberto Spencer was known as "Cabeza Mágica" (Spanish for magic head). He is still the all-time leading scorer in the Copa Libertadores' history. He is considered one of South America's greatest strikers. He won three Libertadores Cups and two Intercontinental Cups with Uruguay's Penarol. He was elected the 20th best South American footballer of the 20th century in a poll by the IFFHS in 2004. He also played for Everest and Barcelona at home.
ST: Dean Burton (Jamaica)
Between 1994 and 2016, Dean Burton played for numerous clubs in English football including Portsmouth, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday. In 1997, he became the first group of British-born footballers to play for Jamaica. He was their hero as Jamaica qualified for the World Cup for the first time. He was named Jamaican Sportsman of the Year in 1997. He had a total of 62 caps between 1997 and 2009. He was an important player for the Reggae Boyz.
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| Dean Burton |
Honorable Mention
Selwyn Murphy (Jamaica), Don Clarke (Jamaica), Orville Edwards (Jamaica) Aaron Lawrence (Jamaica), Alex Williams (England), Luther Blissett (England), Kieran Tripper (England), Jermaine Taylor (Jamaica), Tyrone Marshall (Jamaica), Adrian Mariappa (Jamaica), Chris Smalling (England), Resse James (England), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Danny Rose (England), Rodolph Austin (Jamaica), Kalvin Phillips (England), Mark Chamberlain (England), Jermaine Pennant (England), Aaron Lennon (England), Andros Townshed (England), Darius Vassell (England), Paul Davis (England), Claude Davis (Jamaica), Robbie Earle (Jamaica), Marcus Gayle (Jamaica), Paul Hall (Jamaica), Walter Boyd (Jamaica), Jeff Cunningham (USA), Robin Fraser (USA), Mark Chung (USA), Julian Guzman (Canada), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (England), Andros Townsend (England), Jack Leslie (England), Daniel Sturridge (England), Andy Cole (England), Darren Bent (England), Aaron Lennon (England), Onandi Lowe (Jamaica), Trevor Sinclair (England).
Squad Explanation
-- When I first started to work on this team in 2017, I wanted to reward Jamaican superstars such as John Barnes, Alberto Spencer, Sol Campbell and Laurie Cunningham. I thought that the team would be more interesting to include overseas Jamaicans. I redid the entire team in December, 2023. Then, I realised that I neglected a lot of great Jamaica international players. They deserved their own team without the overseas players. So I create an All-Time Team for Jamaican international players. Meanwhile, I did a blog entry on British-Jamaicans on Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, but at the time of creation, I did not have enough players to form a British Jamaican All-Time team. I did not have candidates for goalkeepers. However, in 2023, I reworked on it and created a British Jamaican All-Time team. I also did a review of Black Players who played for England at the same time.
-- The selection is mainly based up the successes of the players in their entire career. However, I did consider the contributions to the Jamaican national team as the criteria since this team was largely about them. I gave preference to footballers who played for Jamaica over overseas Jamaican players who represented other countries. For example, Ricardo Gardner was chosen over Danny Rose, and Deon Burton over Andy Cole and Luther Blissett. I also gave extra considerations to Lindy Delapenha, Gil Heron and Allan Cole because of their legendary status in Jamaica. They never played internationally for Jamaica. I cited them as being a "hero of Jamaican football" as a major factor for selecting them.
-- However, this all-time team was still dominated by overseas Jamaicans. Warren Barrett, Andrw Blake, Peter Cargill, Theodore Whitmore and Ricardo Gardner were the only native-born Jamaicans who played for Jamaica. And I still selected Des Walker and Sol Campbell over Ian Goodison who is Jamaica's most capped player could not get into this team. Lindy Delapenha, Gil Heron and Alan Cole never played for Jamaica. Thirteen of the players were capped by England, and one each for Ecuador.
-- David James, Sol Campbell, Viv Anderson, Kyle Walker, Des Walker, Sol Campbell, John Barnes, Laurie Cunningham, Raheem Sterling, John Leslie and Ian Wright were on my All-Time Team for Black English players. Laurie Cunningham was widely known as the first Black star footballer in England.
-- Three Americans made my honourable mention. Mark Chung is of Chinese heritage.
-- In 2023, Yard Hype, an entertainment website in Jamaica came up with their All-Time Best XI. The players were Andre Blake, Ricardo Gardner, Ian Goodison, Wes Morgan, Demar Phillips, Allan ‘Cole, Theodore Whitmore, Peter Cargill, Andy Williams, Luton Shelton and Deon Burton.
-- The IFFHS complied their All-Time Best XI for Jamaica in 2021.
Warren Barrett, Frank Sinclair, Wes Morgan, Ian Goodison, Ricardo Gardner, Darryl Powell, Robbie Earl, Lindy Delapenha, Gil Heron, Deon Burton and Leon Bailey.
-- Craig Butler, founder of Phoenix Academy, came up with his All-Time Best XI. They were Andre Blake, Anthony Corbett, Deon Wilmot, Ian Goodison, Ricardo Gardner, Peter Cargill, Allan Cole, Onandi Lowe, Leon Bailey, Walter Boyd, and Luton Shelton. His team included bench players: Theodore Whitmore, Aldrick 'Allie' McNab, Richard McDonald, Damion Lowe and Shamar Nicholson. This list seemed to favor Jamaican-born and trained players.
-- I found this ranking of the Top 25 Jamaican All-Time Soccer players by BOLAVIP. I used it as a reference.
Goalkeepers
-- David James was the first Black goalkeeper to represent England at the senior level. Since his time, England has not capped another Black goalkeeper.
-- Alex Williams won the 1980 UEFA European Under-18 Championship and 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with England, but I decided to go after Jamaican internationals for my second and third goalkeeper.
-- In 2017, I selected Warren Barett and Donovan Ricketts. Barett played in the 1998 World Cups while Ricketts was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010 and 2013. However, during the review in 2023, Andre Blake started to build up a career that could challenge their spot on the team. He had won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year 3 times. In 2020 and 2022, he was shortlisted and finished among the top five for the MVP of the year. So in 2023, he replaced Ricketts.
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| Andre Blake |
-- Donovan Ricketts played more than 100 games for Bradford City in England between 2004 and 2008, and has more than 100 appearances in Major League Soccer for various teams and has twice been named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He was also the captain of the Jamaica national football team, earning 100 caps for his country, until his retirement from international football in 2013.
-- I also looked into Vester Constantine who was related to Learie Constantine. Learie Constantine was a former Trinidadian cricketer, lawyer and politician who served as Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and became the UK's first black peer.
-- I came upon Selwyn Murphy and Don Clarke, but I had no information about them. They were from the older generations. Orville Edwards and Aaron Lawrence deserved to be honorable mention.
-- Lawrence Vigouroux who was born in England, but he represented Chile at the youth level. His father was from Chile, but his mother was a Jamaican. At the moment, he is a League Two Player.
Defenders
-- Sol Campbell is on my England's All-Time team. For England, he was named on the Team of the Tournament in both 2002 World Cup Finals and Euro 2004. He was considered one of the best centrebacks in the world of his generation. For Arsenal, he was being part of the team that became known as The Invincibles for their undefeated 2003–04 Premier League campaign.
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| Sol Campbell |
-- Des Walker was another sure-in defender. On four straight occasions, he was selected for the PFA Team of the Year between 1989 and 1992. He was even named in their PFA Team of Century between 1977 and 1996. Frank Sinclair is on my CONCACAF All-time 23 member team. Frank Sinclair also played as a rightback. He began his career as a leftback, but he was a much better central defender or rightback.
-- Even Ian Goodison who is Jamaica's most capped player could not get into this team. By contrary, Wes Morgan only played 30 times for Jamaica and Sinclair 28 times, but their club careers in the Premiership spoke volumes. Both were among the best in their position in certain years in their careers. Morgan was Nottingham Forest longest-serving player when he transferred to Leicester City in 2012. In the 2015-2016 season, he played every minute of Leicester Town's historical Premiership winning year. He also helped Jamaica to finish second at the 2015 Gold Cup. Sinclair played in the 1998 World Cup Finals. Goodison's best stint was with Tranmere Rovers by comparison.
-- Chris Smalling played over 200 games for Manchester United, but I rewarded Wes Morgan and Frank Sinclair for a place on the team because they played for Jamaica. I also had no room for Jermaine Taylor, Tyrone Marshall and Adrian Mariappa.
-- Frank Sinclair was also a rightback, but I still took Viv Anderson and Kyle Walker. Being the first Jamaican British or Black player to be capped by England at the senior level made Viv Anderson an undisputed choice for this team. He was an iconic footballer of his time. He also won back-to-back European Cups with Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest. Kyle Walker had over 80 caps for England. At the time of writing, he was named on the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions. He was a big part of Manchester City's continental treble in the 2022-2023 season. The pair kept Libval Dixon off the team. He is Jamaica's second's most capped player. He was a rightback according to transfermarkt. Reece James is still an emerging talent as of December, 2023. He alongside Kieran Tripper made honorable mention. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain was also a right wingback.
-- Ashley Cole is of Barbadian descent, but both of Ashely Young's parents came from Jamaica. He played 39 times for England. He was named twice on the PFA Team of the Year. Danny Rose probably played more times as a leftback for England than Young, but Young was a more famous player. On the other hand, Danny Rose might be a more famous name than Ricardo Gardner, but Gardner was one of the most famous Jamaican internationals. I have given priority for Jamaican international players. LB Kemar Lawrence played 60 times for Jamaica. He was named in IFFHS CONCACAF Team of the Decade (2011–2020), but I had Young and Gardner on the team.
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| Ashley Young |
Midfielders/Wingers
-- In 2014, I took Fitzroy Simpson and Darryl Powell probably because I was Anglocentric. Both were naturalised for the World Cup Finals in 1998. Simpson came along at the end of the World Cup Qualifiers while Powell did not join until after Jamaica booked their tickets to France. That should not be a factor to improve or diminish their status with this All-Time team. Nevertheless, I reexamined their standings in 2023 against the likes of several midfielders.
-- In 2015, Rodolph Austin captained Jamaica to their first ever final of the Gold Cup, scoring one goal in the process, before losing 3–1 to Mexico in the final. However, he spent most of his club career in Leeds United playing in the EFL Championship. Fitzroy Simpson and Darryl Powell at least did spend time at the Premiership. DM Je-Vaughn Watson had a long career in the MLS. He played 95 times for Jamaica. Peter Cargill did not have a club career as good as others, but he was selected by Yard Hype and Craig Butler on their All-Time Best XI respectively. He was also listed as a Top 25 players by BolaVIP. He also had a total of 84 caps while Simpson had 43 and Powell only 21. He was a big part of Rene Simoes' tenure with Jamaica before the naturalisation of British players and continued to be a vital member of the team afterward. So he must be a part of this team over Simpson, Powell and others.
-- In 2015, Rodolph Austin captained Jamaica to their first ever final of the Gold Cup, scoring one goal in the process, before losing 3–1 to Mexico in the final. However, he spent most of his club career in Leeds United playing in the EFL Championship. Fitzroy Simpson and Darryl Powell at least did spend time at the Premiership. DM Je-Vaughn Watson had a long career in the MLS. He played 95 times for Jamaica. Peter Cargill did not have a club career as good as others, but he was selected by Yard Hype and Craig Butler on their All-Time Best XI respectively. He was also listed as a Top 25 players by BolaVIP. He also had a total of 84 caps while Simpson had 43 and Powell only 21. He was a big part of Rene Simoes' tenure with Jamaica before the naturalisation of British players and continued to be a vital member of the team afterward. So he must be a part of this team over Simpson, Powell and others.
-- With Liverpool Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain won the 2018–19 Champions League and the 2019–20 Premier League. In Arsenal, he was mainly used as a right winger or wingback, but he preferred to play as a central midfielder, a position he played in Liverpool (see below).
-- Kalvin Phillips had some issues since he moved to Manchester City in 2022, but he had a starring role at Euro 2020. The tournament was England's best finish in a senior international tournament since 1966. He was named as the England's Player of the Year in the 2021-2022 season for his Euro 2020 performances.
-- In 2020, I also added Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Honorable Mention. He would be better than Peter Cargill, but Cargill was a Jamaican international who contributed to the Golden period of Jamaican football. Oxlade-Chamberlain had a longer international career than Loftus-Cheek, and his club career was more decorated. Kalvin Phillips had a starring role at Euro 2020, and Loftus Cheek could not match that.
-- Jonathan and Julian Guzman are brothers from Canada. Their mother is Jamaican. Jonathan de Guzman chose to play for the Netherlands. He had more experience in the World Cup Finals, but I did not have space for him.
-- The son of a Reggae musician, Darryl Powell was born in Lambeth, London, and his career included spells at English clubs Portsmouth, Derby County, Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, as well as a stint at Colorado Rapids in the USA. He was one of the British-born Reggae Boyz playing for Jamaica in France 98. He has 21 caps.
-- Theodore Whitmore was considered to be the greatest Jamaican international player. I meant players being born and capped by Jamaica. Allan Cole remained the Jamaica's youngest senior football international when he made his debut at the age of only 15 years old. He was sometimes known as Jamaica's greatest players.
-- Raheem Sterling was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2019. At one point, he was the most expensive English international player. He was a key player for Manchester City. I could use him as my wide right player.
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| Raheem Sterling |
-- Walcott was a teammate of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Arsenal, but both ended up as rivals in the Mersey derby.
-- Shaun Wright-Philips would have been a prime candidate, but I could not find his ethnic origin. Ian Wright was only his adoptive father so I do not know how this "grandfather" rule applied to him. So I did not even put him on honorable mention.
-- On the left, I had two of the most iconic players on the entire team. John Barnes was born in Jamaica, but he played for England. His career with Liverpool FC was well-known. Laurie Cunningham inspired many Black players in the United Kingdom. Ricardo Gardner and Ashely Cole were sent to the left wingback position.
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| Laurie Cunningham |
-- Mark Chamberlian was also considered. He had a long career playing in England. He could play both sides of the wings. Luton Shelton who was a striker/left wing forward is Jamaica's all-time leading scorer. The two of them and Trevor Sinclair made honorable mentions.
Forwards
-- Dean Burton was the hero of the 1998 World Cup Qualifiers. He deserved a spot on the team. So I selected him over Daniel Sturridge, Darius Vassell and Andy Cole. They were all more established in the Premiership than Burton, but I gave Burton credit for being a hero of Jamaican football. His decision to represent Jamaica changed the history of game in this country.
-- Onandi Lowe might have scored more goals for Jamaica than Burton, but Burton as mentioned was very important to the history of Reggae Boyz. Lowe's club career also did not match that of Burton who spent a few seasons in the Premiership.
-- Ian Wright was elected English Football Hall of Flame. Despite being a top scorer in the domestic league (he scored over 20 goals every season from 1991 to 1998), he only played 33 times for England and was never selected for any of the major tournaments.
-- Alberto Spencer's father was a British Jamaican. In fact, England allegedly considered to cap him at one point before the World Cup Finals of 1966. I do not know how serious the link was. But that would have made him the first Black player to represent England at any level. He was the greatest ever player from Ecuador, and one of the best South American strikers of his time. Along with John Barnes, he was probably the greatest Jamaican footballers ever.
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| Alberto Spencer |
-- Gil Heron was the first Jamaican to play in Scotland. He was born in Jamaica but spent some time in Canada. Lindy Delapenha was considered the greatest Jamaican player ever. Both never played for Jamaica as the island was still a British colony when thy were active m players. They were still a pioneer of the game for Jamaica.
-- Luther Blissett was a special case. He still holds Watford's all-time records for both appearances (503) and goals (186). He played alongside John Barnes under manager Graham Taylor with Watford in the early 1980's. There were some romantic notion of a pair of Jamaican-born players tearing up the English league in the early 1980's. It was a period that set the foundation for other Black players. Blissett also helped Watford to jump from the Fourth Division to top flight runners-up in a relatively short period. His reputation however was tarnished by his move to AC Milan, but his association with AC Milan turned him into a cult player in Milan. His name had some cultural impact. He only made my honourable mention due to other more important players.
-- Andy Cole is the 4th All-Time leading scorer in the Premier League. Gil Heron and Lindy Delapenha were pioneer of the game for Jamaica. Deon Burton was a hero of the 1998 World Cup campaign. Ian Wright had a better international career.
-- I also discovered a player named Jack Leslie who was a striker. He was the first Jamaican or Jamaican-British to play in the English league. He was called up by England, but later withdrew the invitation by the FA because of his skin colour. Since he was born in Jamaica, I could only put him on honorable mention.
-- In 1998, René Simões tried to call up Dean Sturridge for Jamaica for the 1998 World Cup, but the offer was rejected. He is the uncle of Daniel Sturridge. Of cousre, Daniel Sturridge lost out to Burton, Spencer,
-- Walter Boyd was a fan favorite, but I could not drop anyone for him.
Formation
I decided to build my team around the top players who played for Jamaica. Ricardo Gardner, Lindy Delapenha, Theodoro Whitmore and Wes Moragn. I should not leave out Gil Heron or Deon Burton. And then, I surrounded them with overseas Jamaicans such as John Barnes, Sol Campbell, Ian Wright. Alberto Spencer took over Ian Wright's on the starting lineup. Raheem Sterling could easily make the starting lineup too.
Formation
I decided to build my team around the top players who played for Jamaica. Ricardo Gardner, Lindy Delapenha, Theodoro Whitmore and Wes Moragn. I should not leave out Gil Heron or Deon Burton. And then, I surrounded them with overseas Jamaicans such as John Barnes, Sol Campbell, Ian Wright. Alberto Spencer took over Ian Wright's on the starting lineup. Raheem Sterling could easily make the starting lineup too.
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