Several Englishmen playing for Jamaica could be considered some of the best in the Reggae Boyz’ history.
English players at the top level might have been plenty, but only a few who finally received a call-up for The Three Lions. There have been even fewer who regularly get the nod in the starting lineup. Thus, switching sides has been deemed a solution to feature in the international fixtures or, even better, a major tournament.
Such a path has been opted for by a number of English-born players who were also eligible to play for Jamaica. Some did thrive, but some others failed to live up to expectations with the new nation.
In the current squad, The Reggae Boyz, under the former England boss, Steve McLaren, have named 15 England-born players in the squad, which is already more than a half of them. Some of the well-known Premier League players, including the likes of West Ham’s Michael Antonio, the former Leicester City and Everton man, Demarai Grey, and Fulham winger, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, have been called up regularly.
The last two names have been the key figures in Jamaica’s successful campaign in CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 and CONCACAF Nations League 2024 under Heimir Hallgrímsson. They managed to reach semifinals in both competitions.
The Reggae Boyz can even add up another notable name in the future, should Mason Greenwood have his international clearance. The current Marseille man, who just capped once with England, is set to switch allegiance to revive his career with the CONCACAF side. The former Manchester United and Getafe man has been snubbed by England since being charged with attempted rape and assault in January 2022. Unfortunately, his future with The Three Lions remains unclear despite the fact that his charges were all dropped a year later.
Here are the most notable Englishmen playing for Jamaica who managed to help them progress further in the continental competition or qualify for a major tournament.
Wes Morgan (2013-2016)
The former Leicester City skipper received a call-up for international games in 2013 at the age of 29. Morgan was never part of England set up in senior or youth levels. No wonder that the Nottingham-born defender instantly took the opportunity from Jamaica.
During his three-year period in international football, he helped his new nation progress to the final in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015. The centre back, who was an integral part of The Foxes’ unlikely Premier League victory in 2015/16, featured in all matches in the competition under German boss Winfried Schäfer.
Yet, he failed to deliver silverware as they slumped to a 3-1 loss in the summit. It was Jamaica’s second consecutive final, but both ended in a defeat. Morgan also played in Copa America 2015, when Jamaica was grouped with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Michael Hector (2015-Present)
The 32-year-old centre back has been constantly named in Jamaica’s squad since 2015. He has been part of the squad in six international competitions, three editions of Copa América in 2015, 2016 and 2024, and also three CONCACAF Gold Cup editions in 2015, 2019 and 2021. Hector also contributed heavily to Reggae Boyz’s positive campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League 2024, as he provided one assist in a narrow 1-0 win over Panama in the third-place playoff.
The former Fulham and Charlton man is currently free agent. He had been on multiple loan spells during his stay at Reading and Chelsea. The centre back was loaned out 11 times and five times, respectively, in various clubs from Ireland’s Dundalk to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Deon Burton (1997-2009)
He was Jamaica’s key man when they made their World Cup debut in France 1998. Burton netted four times in five qualifier games at the latter stage, including a crucial win over Costa Rica and a draw versus the USA. However, the former frontman could not replicate his top form in the final round as René Simões’ men were hapless against Croatia and Argentina.
A 2-1 victory over Japan in the last game was merely consolation. Burton was also scoreless in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 1998 campaign as they reached the semifinals. The former Derby County man earned 62 caps with 13 international goals. His last game was a friendly match against Nigeria in 2009.
Frank Sinclair (1998-2003)
The former centre back was one of the first few English-born players in the Premier League called up ahead of Jamaica’s World Cup debut in 1998, alongside Robbie Earl and Deon Burton. Sinclair featured in each three games during the competition and in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 1998, when they became semifinalists.
The former Chelsea man only capped 25 times. His last international game was against Brazil in December 2003. Unfortunately, Sinclair was unable to prevent his team from another defeat as Roberto Carlos bagged the only goal in the 15th minute.