The next destination of our alphabetical world tour is Jamaica. Two-time CONCACAF Gold Cup runners-up, Jamaica have qualified for just one World Cup Finals tournament in their history, appearing in 1998.
According to the Premier League website, 38 players have represented Jamaica in the Premier League, stretching back to the opening day of the very first season.
First Player – Robbie Earle (Wimbledon; 1992-2000)
One of only a handful of players from outside Britain and Ireland to appear in the opening weekend of the newly named Premier League, Robbie Earle beat compatriot Fitzroy Simpson by two days to become the first Jamaican to appear in the competition.
Earle was born in England and made his professional breakthrough with Port Vale, later joining Wimbledon in 1991. He remained with the Dons until his retirement in 2000. Qualifying through his heritage, Earle appeared for Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup, winning eight caps in total.
Most Appearances: Frank Sinclair – 288 (Chelsea, Leicester; 1990-1998, 1998-2004)
Before the likes of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, David Luiz, etc. Chelsea’s stalwart defender of the Premier League’s early days was Frank Sinclair. Sinclair joined Leicester City in 1998 after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and added a League Cup to three major honours he won in his time with the Blues.
His 288 appearances leave him 24 clear of second place and few current players look capable of usurping him for some time; 36-year-old Wes Morgan is the closest player still in the Premier League.
Top Scorer: Jason Euell – 56 (Wimbledon, Charlton, Middlesbrough, Blackpool; 1995-2001, 2001-06, 2006-07, 2009-11)
Another who was born in England but later elected to play for Jamaica; Jason Euell played for four Premier League clubs over a period of 16 years.
Initially breaking through at Wimbledon in 1995, he enjoyed his most successful stints with the Dons and Charlton, whom he joined in 2001 with Wimbledon in the Championship. After two goalless seasons with Middlesbrough and Blackpool, Euell returned to Charlton and the newly formed AFC Wimbledon before hanging up his boots in 2012.
Current Players
Wes Morgan (Leicester City) and Adrian Mariappa (Watford) were the only players to represent Jamaica in the Premier League before the suspension in 2019/20. Both players were born in England but chose to play for Jamaica at senior level.
Similarly, Sheffield United midfielder Ravel Morrison is reported to be switching his allegiance to Jamaica, though his nationality is English on the Premier League website. He did not make any league appearances for the Blades in 2019/20 before the shutout and spent part of the season on loan at Middlesbrough.
Trivia
- According to the Premier League website, Jamaica have had 38 Premier League players. Of all CONCACAF member nations, only USA (45) has provided more.
- Robbie Earle scored Jamaica’s first-ever goal at a World Cup Finals tournament, netting the equaliser in a 3-1 loss to Croatia in 1998.
- Leicester City defender Wes Morgan is the only Jamaican to have won the Premier League.
- Former Sheffield United forward Luton Shelton is the highest goal scorer in the history of the Jamaican national team (35 goals). He made just four Premier League appearances.
