Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Theodore Whitmore ... 'Even when a technical director is appointed, I still want to be involved in football development at the national level.' - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn

HIS PARENTS, Ilette Ferguson and Victor Whitmore, named him Theodore, but for those who are involved in football - whether fan, player or official - the former national captain and midfield maestro is known as 'Tappa'.

Whitmore was an integral member of Jamaica's team in the lead-up to its historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup in France.

At the championship, he scored the two goals in Jamaica's 2-1 defeat of Japan. In the same year, he was also instrumental in helping Jamaica win the Caribbean Football Championship and was crowned the Caribbean Footballer of the Year.

Playing in the lanes

A native of the parish of St. James, Whitmore began his long but humble career on Railway Lane in Montego Bay.

He recalled that he and his friends would erect stone barriers in the lane and play football.

"Numerous times I would get into trouble for doing so, but this proved to be no deterrent as I continued playing football despite the opposition," Whitmore said.

A past student of the Catherine Hall Primary, Mt. Salem All-Age and the Montego Bay Secondary School (now St. James High), Whitmore confessed that he did not excel in academics, but made up for this by being an agile football player.

A decision, he said, he has not regretted as he excelled in the Inter-Secondary Football Junior League and played for two community teams, Whippets United and the Sugar United community team.

He further went on to play for the St. James Division One team with Jevaughn Sterling, Warren Blice and Carlston Walters.

Influential footballers

While attending Montego Bay Secondary he was influenced by the likes of Andrew 'Tappazukie' Sinclair, former Wadadah footballer and member of the Montego Bay Boys Club.

It is from Sinclair that Whitmore received his well-known alias.

He started his club career at the Montego Bay Boys Club and has since played for Violet Kickers and Seba United in the National Premier League and English sides Hull City and Livingston.

In June 2004, he signed for Tranmere Rovers and had his contract terminated in January 2006 by mutual consent. He returned to Jamaica to again play for Seba.

Unbelievable experience

Whitmore stated that being a member of the national team and representing Jamaica was an unbelievable experience for him.

"I felt overwhelmed, especially when I heard the playing of the Jamaica's National Anthem. It was truly a memorable experience," he said.

Whitmore was called to the national team in 1993 where he came up against Jamaica's two top central defenders, Linval Dixon and Desmond 'Gadaffi' Smith.

"My performance earned me the right to wear the black, green and gold and I did it with honour," he said.

When quizzed about representing Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup, Whitmore stated that the camaraderie on the team was unlike anything he had experienced before.

"We were like a family. We spent one month in Brazil preparing for the World Cup and got to know each other better," he said.

He added: "It is every footballers dream to play for their country. It was an honour for me to represent Jamaica on the international level.

"It was as if we were playing to unite Jamaica. When we qualified for the World Cup, I remember running on to the field with the Jamaican flag knowing that we would be a part of this historic event."

Whitmore was blessed with the ability to break down any defence. He was a midfield general and a delight to watch as he mesmerised the opposition with his deft and crafty moves. He played 105 international matches and scored 24 goals for the national team.

He is currently the coach of Cash Plus Premier League club Seba.

"After playing for Jamaica so long, locally and overseas, I think I have a wealth of understanding of the game to coach there is room for improvement," Whitmore said. "I am at Seba and I am not planning to leave anytime soon."

Interim coach

Whitmore was named the interim head coach for the Jamaica team during a press conference held at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) on November 10.

The 35-year-old Whitmore, takes over the coaching duties following the JFF's dismissal of former technical director 'Bora' Milutinovic.

"My selection as interim coach did not come as a surprise. I will be the interim coach until the JFF appoints a new technical director," he said. "Even when a technical director is appointed, I still want to be involved in football develop-ment at the national level."