Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Waterhouse Football Club (WFC) striker Kevin Lamey is an anomaly in modern football, having spent 14 consecutive years at one club. He has in the process written his name on the hearts of the fans, having scored more than 250 goals.

The Drewsland-based club, which is celebrating 30 years, will today play a Digicel Premier League match against St Georges Sports Club that is dedicated to the 34-year-old striker.

He joined the club in the 1995-96 season, the same season in which they won the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Major League, and gained promotion to the then National Premier League (NPL).

During their first season in the top flight they finished a creditable fifth. They did even better in their second season as they won the title in 1997-98, beating Seba 2-1 on aggregate.

Lamey was the hero, scoring both of his team's goals in the second leg of the finals at the National Stadium.

He doesn't actually wear a crown, but after scoring so many goals for the club, one can understand why the Waterhouse faithful label him 'King Lamey'.

Heroics

He was up to his heroics again in the 2005-06 season, as his goal against Constant Spring in the penultimate round of games guaranteed WFC the title after erasing a 13-point deficit against leaders Harbour View. He was the leading goalscorer for that season with 22 goals, and was also named Most Valuable Player, to cop the Tony Burrowes Player Personality Award.

He attributes his long tenure at the club to a number of factors, but mainly the supporters.

"It is a combination of things; you have the support that I get from the supporters. At times they can be difficult supporters but then again it helps motivate me, it keeps me sharp, keeps me on cue. It is something that keeps me going. I look forward to the challenges, probably that's one of the reasons why I am here so long," said Lamey.

"A few players that I have been through the ranks with, notably Hugh 'Bingy' Blair, have been an influence and one of the reasons why I even went to Waterhouse and have been there for this long. So it is a combination of things; it is a nice club and they treat me well there. I must say I applaud the club for doing something like this (benefit match), because usually, they honour people when they have passed away," he added.

Lamey attended Papine Secondary where he played in the secondary league before moving on to Kingston Technical High School (KTHS), where he gained some prominence as a deadly finisher. He represented his community, Swallowfield, after leaving high school before getting his first taste of the Premier League with Clarendon outfit Leeds United.

Career low point

So far this season he has found the back of the net on six occasions, but has also experienced the lowest point in his Waterhouse career.

"This season has been going well. Those losses made us look deep within ourselves because it is something I have never experienced before at Waterhouse - losing five games on the trot," Lamey said. "It allowed us to look within ourselves as players, as a team and as a club and we have ironed out a lot of things."

Lamey also has full confidence in coach Geoffrey Maxwell.

"Geoffrey is a very good coach, I think one of the best coaches I have ever met in this country, and he has a bond with Waterhouse Club and the supporters of the club. I have confidence in him just as how he has confidence in the players, the community and the club as a whole."

Lamey says one of his darkest moments was the passing of former coach and friend, Peter Cargill.

"Peter Cargill has been one of the stalwarts in Jamaican football and that day was a tragic day, and trust me, right now it just gives me goosebumps because we were so close to him as players. We saw him as a father figure; he was a huge loss and that day was a terrible day," Lamey shared sadly.

Despite being disappointed with the number of international appearances he has made, Lamey is still willing to represent his country.

"I have made disappointingly few appearances for my country but any opportunity I get to represent the country I will do so if called upon. I will definitely serve my country," Lamey concluded.