Former Jamaica international Fitzroy Simpson is here to support Cayman football.
Simpson will be one of the key supporters for the Cayman Islands senior men’s national team for their 2014 World Cup qualifying game against El Salvador on Tuesday, 6 September at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex at 7:30pm.
Simpson, who was once under the coaching of the national technical director Carl Brown, landed on Island last Wednesday and will be going all out to support the Cayman team and his former coach.
“I am here in support of the national team taking on the toughest teams in the region,” Simpson said. “It’s not impossible for the Cayman Islands to qualify one day for the World Cup finals. It takes hard work, believing in yourselves, unity and a good ability to reach that level.
“It has to be a long-term program and with world exposure, good organization and a good platform, I see no reason why the Cayman Islands cannot compete at a professional level with the rest of the world.”
Simpson is extremely proud of his career and is always quick to say that the highlight was getting to the World Cup finals with the Reggae Boyz and the three years he spent at Manchester City.
He retired from professional football in January 2006, after a period of seventeen years during which time he was seen as one of the most fearless mid-fielders.
He was a key member of Jamaica’s national team that competed in the 1998 World Cup finals in France. Simpson played against Argentina, Croatia and Japan. He signed with Manchester City in March 1992 becoming an instant hit with the City fans.
After making 67 senior appearances for Manchester City, Simpson was transferred to Portsmouth where he spent four years and was called to the Jamaican national team.
Upon leaving Portsmouth, he went on to play for Scottish club Hearts then Walsall (who he helped to gain promotion), Telford Town and Irish Premier League club Linfield. Simpson also travelled to Spain where he coached Charlton Athletic’s European soccer school and made a number of appearances in the Spanish third division before deciding to call it quits as a professional player.
Simpson is now calling for all football fans on-island to attend Tuesday’s game and get behind the Cayman team.
“No one gave Jamaica a chance during our qualifying campaign that ultimately lead to us qualifying for the 1998 World Cup in France. But with the support of the fans and the determination and will to succeed we (Jamaica) came out on top. I see the same situation facing the Cayman Islands against El Salvador.
“Cayman is the under dog but its 11 men against 11 men. No one has the right to win you have to earn it. With the right attitude and approach anything can happen.”
Tickets for the first home game against El Salvador at 7.30pm at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Tuesday, 6 September can be purchased at the following outlets: Fosters Food Fair, Western Union, Funky Tangs, Captains Bakery, Party Land (next to Little Darlings), the football association office and Sports Port LTD (on the waterfront in George Town).
Simpson has generously donated to the Cayman Islands Football Association Warren Barrett’s jersey that was worn in a World Cup qualifying game against the United States. Warren Barrett was the captain of the Jamaican 1998 World Cup team.
The jersey will be raffled on the Cayman football facebook page.
To be eligible to win the jersey you need to go online and answer to the following question: At which club did Fitzroy Simpson begin his professional career?
To answer this question visit the Cayman football facebook page at www.facebook.com/caymanfootball. One winner will be selected at random from those who provide the correct answer. The deadline to enter this raffle is Wednesday 7 September.
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