Continuing our alphabetical world tour, next up is Montserrat. A British overseas territory in the Caribbean, Montserrat’s footballing history, if brief, is fascinating.
With a current population of around 5,000, Montserrat remains an underdog in a footballing context. Having won their first international matches in 1995, volcanic activity decimated the island and resulted in the emigration of much of the population.
Largely unable to play at home and with a much-reduced fixture schedule, it would be 2012 when Montserrat next tasted victory. Their fortune has drastically in recent times however, winning three matches in 2019 alone.
According to the Premier League website, two Montserratians have played in the Premier League, stretching way back to the very first weekend in 1992.
First Player – Ruel Fox (Norwich, Newcastle, Spurs; 1992-2000)
A brilliantly entertaining player, Ruel Fox was an important part of the Norwich team who finished third in 1992/93. A goalscoring winger/forward, Fox’s displays won him an expensive move to Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle in 1994.
After making 40 league appearances in 1994/95, his game time at Newcastle was stifled following the arrival of David Ginola. Fox featured in just four league fixtures for Newcastle the following season before moving to Spurs, where he remained until 2000, winning the 1999 League Cup.
Born in Ipswich, Fox never won a senior cap for England. In 2004 at the age of 36, he made two appearances for Montserrat, scoring once.
Records
- Most appearances – Ruel Fox (223)
- First appearance – Ruel Fox (Arsenal 2-4 NORWICH, August 15th 1992)
- Most goals – Ruel Fox (36)
- First goal – Ruel Fox (Arsenal 2-4 NORWICH, August 15th 1992)
Other Players
The Premier League website lists just one other Montserratian to play in the Premier League – Brandon Comley. Comley appeared as a substitute for QPR on the final day of the 2014/15 season, his only English top-flight experience. Born in England like Fox, Comley has played for Montserrat since 2018.
Elsewhere, Bruce Dyer made 40 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace in the 90s before making an appearance in an unofficial friendly for Montserrat. Since the game was not a FIFA-approved fixture, Dyer remains English on the Premier League website.
Trivia
- Montserrat did not win a game or keep a clean sheet between 1995 and 2012.
- After retiring from football, Ruel Fox opened a restaurant in Ipswich.
- In June 2002, Montserrat played a friendly against Bhutan on the same day as the World Cup Final, jokingly labelled, “The Other Final”. Montserrat and Bhutan were the world’s two lowest-ranked nations at the time. Bhutan won the match 4-0.
- No FIFA nation has a lower population than Montserrat.
