By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Lowe... training with Rushden and Diamonds. - Contributed
BIG STRIKER Onandi Lowe could become the third local-bred player to sign a one million pound contract to play professional football in Britain.
The 27-year-old, who was Jamaica's top scorer during their failed bid for a place in the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and Korea, is on the back end of an impressive three-month loan with Third Division team Rushden and Diamonds.
So impressed is coach Brian Talbot with the Jamaican forward that he has pleaded with club owner Max Criggs to produce the one million pounds it would take to secure his move from US Major League Soccer (MLS).
In a report on the club's web page on the Teamtalk web site, Talbot expressed the belief that without Lowe, the team's chances of promotion would be nought.
"The most important thing at the moment is I have to try and retain Onandi Lowe. I think he is in a different class," said Talbot of the man whose contract comes to and end next month.
"If we lose him, we haven't got a prayer, when he plays he is involved in everything - goals, chances and incidents - he's quality. The transfer fee hasn't been discussed but maybe if we win the next three games, who knows, people at the club would have to have a real think about it then," Talbot said.
Lowe, who is still contracted to the MLS, where he is assigned to the Kansas City Wizards, has scored in every home game since signing on loan from Major League Soccer side Kansas City in November and he has helped take Rushden to within three points of seventh spot.
In other news relating to Jamaican footballers in Britain, agent Phil Graham seems to be losing his grip on Jamaican players in that country. Two of his former players, Theodore Whitmore and Ian Goodison, are now being represented by a new agent, David Speedie, according to another Teamtalk report.
The duo joined Hull City late 1998 on a three-year deal negotiated by Graham. Both were offered a contract extensions by the club but turned them down are expected to part ways with Hull City at the end of the season.
