Jermaine Lannaman, Freelance Writer

Scarlett

FORMER REGGAE Boy Robert 'Little Bibi' Scarlett and Harbour View have parted ways.

The 29-year-old defender, who has been a permanent fixture at the east Kingston club, has reportedly fallen out of favour with management and was recently given his release to ply his trade elsewhere.

"It is true, Scarlett has been released," Clyde Jureidini, general manager of Harbour View, told The Gleaner. "He is one of four players, along with defenders Loxley Thomas, Gregory Simpson and Ricardo Smith who, after reviewing their performances last season, the club has decided to let go," Jureidini said.

A speedy left-footer, Scarlett, who is a past student of Donald Quarrie High, was a standout after joining the club in the late 1990s. Nicknamed 'Little Bibi' after the playing style of current Reggae Boy Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner, he was identified as a talent from a young age and was propelled to national representation at various age-group levels, first under current national technical director René Simoes and other subsequent national coaches.

Transferred

After his first four seasons with Harbour View, Scarlett was transferred to Russian club, Spartak Moscow in 2002.

However, after failing to impress sufficiently, he was given only one game and, despite being a part of their UEFA Champions League roster, never played.

He returned to Jamaica where he assisted Harbour View to their first title in 2004 before leaving midway the 2005 season to join Real Salt Lake in the US Major Soccer League. He made nine appearances for Real Salt Lake.

He returned to Harbour View in 2006 and in 2007 played an integral role in them capturing their second title.

However, since then it is reported that he and the management have been at loggerheads, a situation which worsened late last season when, according to Jureidini, he missed several training sessions. Harbour View finished fourth in the league.

No training

"He was not available for training towards the end of last season and this didn't help in us considering the renewal of his contract," Jureidini said.

"Robert has been a long-standing franchise player at Harbour View but it seems in the last season he lost interest in local football. We, however, know he is a capable player and hope he can bounce back. We wish him all the best," he added.

Efforts to contact Scarlett for a comment proved futile. Scarlett, who made his debut for Jamaica in 1999 against Costa Rica, last represented the island against Australia in 2005. He scored three goals in 38 appearances for the national team.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a number of clubs have been expressing interest in signing him. They include newly promoted Meadhaven, Arnett Gardens, St Georges and Waterhouse.