Gordon Williams, Contributor
This Gleaner file photo shows Deon Burton (right) in happier times being congratulated by a spectator, who also hugs Theodore Whitmore, following Jamaica's qualification to the France '98 World Cup Finals after drawing 0-0 with Brazil at the National Stadium. - FILE
ENGLAND:
OUTSIDE WALKERS Stadium on Monday, Deon Burton could hardly bring himself to smile as he greeted a stranger on the chilly Leicester evening. He had just witnessed World Cup-bound Ghana sweep aside Jamaica and a feeling of helplessness had come over the 29-year-old former star of the Reggae Boyz.
But just like the fickle English weather, things changed drastically. Just a day after the Ghana debacle, Jamaica dismissed striker Marlon King for what the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) said was unsuitable behaviour following his violation of a team curfew, and Burton was right back in the mix for Saturday's match against England at Old Trafford.
This time he could not contain his happiness.
"Of course I'm delighted to be back in the squad after such a long time," said Burton, who played sparingly for Jamaica during the failed 2006 World Cup campaign and none at all recently. He had trained with the team in London prior to the Ghana game, but was not invited to play at Leicester.
DISCIPLINARY INCIDENT
Burton, who scored vital goals in Jamaica's successful 'Road to France' 1998 World Cup campaign, said he was saddened by the disciplinary incident, which also resulted in fines for midfielders Jason Euell and Jamal Campbell-Ryce. But he was not about to ignore the call-up which saw him playing near 15 minutes in Saturday's game.
"It doesn't make a difference," he said. "By the hook or crook, I'm back in and it gives me an opportunity to show what I can do."
The former Derby County striker, once nicknamed 'Ronaldo' by Jamaicans for his perceived physical likeness to the Brazilian superstar, thought he had done well enough this past season to earn a full return to Jamaica's fold.
He scored 17 goals total, 14 for English League One club Rotherham in cup and league fixtures, before netting another three for the Championship's Sheffield Wednesday, which obtained for him £110,000 sterling during the January transfer window.
Yet Burton was released after two days of training with the Boyz in London and was not part of Jamaica's trip to Leicester. Any hope of his participation in the remainder of the two-match tour seemed to have evaporated.
"I went back home to Nottingham to relax after the Ghana game," he explained.
But he didn't stay idle. He followed his new club's off-season workout programme to keep in shape, and although he said on Thursday morning that he had "no clue" of his role against England, since he had yet to attend his first training session in Manchester, he was ready to do whatever was asked of him.
"I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent, not being involved with the squad," Burton explained prior to the England match. "But apart from that I've been following the training schedule provided by Sheffield Wednesday. I've been sticking to that, but it's not the same thing as kicking the ball (under match conditions)."
DISAPPOINTED
Burton admits he was "a little disappointed" at being excluded from Jamaica's preparation for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. He does not think he is past his prime and noted that there are older players still being considered for places. Yet he understands the JFF's thrust towards a youth movement, although he was puzzled that the massive infusion of young, inexperienced players into the squad was done almost all at once.
"I saw the JFF were going in a different direction," he said.
But that has not deterred him. Burton still has a passion to play for the Boyz. He does not view the England game as a one-off assignment for him, but the first step in re-establishing himself permanently in the squad.
"Obviously, this opportunity has come by luck or chance," he said, "and all I can do is what I can to show the coaches what I'm about."
Burton believes Jamaica needed to retain more possession of the ball against Ghana, a skill he is noted for, and avoid the "little mistakes." However, he said the team rebounded well in the second half against the West Africans, coming back "enthusiastic" after the break. He also remembers thinking Jamaica "could have gone on to better things" than the 4-1 defeat.
Starting with the run against England on Saturday, Burton is hoping to begin a resurgence of his own fortunes as well, and revive his international football career with the Reggae Boyz.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
