Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Luton Shelton of Jamaica (left) breaks away from Nelson Morales of Guatemala on his way to scoring Jamaica's first goal during the first half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Carson, California, on July 8. - REUTERS
HARBOUR VIEW forward Luton Shelton could soon become the latest Jamaican football export to Britain.
The 19-year-old, who has been with Championship team Burnley for close to three weeks, could follow the likes of Ricardo Gardner, Walter Boyd, Theodore Whitmore, Ian Goodison, Ricardo Fuller, Jermaine Johnson, Onandi Lowe, Claude Davis, Omar Daley, Donovan Ricketts and Damion Stewart as home-grown players to play professionally in England. This is according to website Planetfootball.com.
"Burnley have moved to snap up Jamaica international Luton Shelton, subject to a work permit appeal," the web-site reported.
The report added that club manager Steve Cotterill will be making a personal appeal to the home office on behalf of the player.
GOOD NEWS
"It is good news that we have got a hearing for Luton Shelton on Thursday (tomorrow) in London and we certainly hope we'll be luckier than we were the last time (with Artim Sakiri) and the panel look upon his application as very favourable," Cotterill was quoted as saying of the 6-ft 2-inch forward who has 13 goals in 15 games for Jamaica.
Harbour View's president, Carvel Stewart, confirmed with The Gleaner yesterday that the English club was keen to sign the player and that an appeal was made for a work permit. The fact that the term appeal was used, explained Stewart, did not mean that a previous application was turned down.
"They have applied for a work permit on what they call an appeal process. This is based on the fact that he does not have the required number of games," said Stewart of the player who started representing the national team in November when selected by Wendell Downswell.
"When he (Shelton) left it was on that understanding, but they were very confident and I believe that it has to do with his age. We are awaiting the outcome of the appeal process and we are hoping that it will be favourable as we want him to start (playing professionally) early," Stewart continued.
Luton, Stewart said, has been a hit since he started training at Burnley. having spent the first 10 days getting treatment for a hamstring injury.
"They reported that they were very pleased with his performance. He has been scoring regularly in practice but last week they had a proper game with a number of trialists and they said he was the most impressive. He scored a hat trick," said Stewart who added that with just a squad of 17, Shelton could see a lot of playing time.
Shelton's father, Luton Shelton Snr has heard similar reports.
GELLED WITH THE TEAM
"He is loved there more by the players than even the manager. They are happy with the way that he has gelled with the team," Shelton Sr. said.
"Frank Sinclair and Micah Hyde have been good for him there too. I had instructed him to sit with them and learn as much as he can from them and he has been doing that," continued the elder Shelton.
But Shelton Sr., sees even bigger things happening for his son.
"He may start there but if he gets the playing time in a short time he will end up in the Premiership because he has an eye for goal. He also has a lot of speed which counts for a lot in football at the highest level," said the father of his son who was named National Premier League youth player for the 2004-2005 season.
"I am happy that as a youth from West Kingston he is disciplined and has his own mind. He does not follow company and I know he will go far," concluded the elder Shelton.
