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Stabroek News

Murray striking his way for the Champs
published: Wednesday | September 14, 2005



Ashane Murray ... scored on debut for Portmore United on Sunday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A NEW Wray and Nephew Premier League football season kicked off last Sunday, featuring a revamped format, promoted teams and new players.

Striker Ashane Murray made a dream debut for champions Portmore United, scoring the third goal in his new team's 4-2 win over Seba United at Ferdie Neita Park in Braeton, St. Catherine.

Interestingly, Murray, now 23, lived and played in England for almost four years, last representing Reading Town, before deciding to return to Jamaica, a path opposite to that taken by aspiring local footballers.

QUESTION: What's your connection to Jamaica?

AM: I'm Jamaican by birth and lived overseas for 3 1/2 years. I went to St. Jago High School and before that Horizon Park All-Age. I played two seasons in the Manning Cup, 1997-1998 and 1998-1999. We got to the 1998-1999 semi-finals but lost out to Kingston College.

Q: Under what circumstances did you move to the United Kingdom?

AM: Football here was not based on developing local talent. I wanted to develop, to get to the next level. I was once in the national programme and represented the country at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. I got an injury and I thought I was far behind so I decided to go away, plus I also went away to study.

Q: What position did you play nationally?

AM: I went into the national team as a striker, but was made a defender. I was asked to play left-back. The striker position was already occupied but my talent could not be ignored so I was forced out wide. However, I adapted well. I went to Brazil with Jackie Walters as the coach during the time when Rene Simoes was the technical director. I was also a part of the Under-17 squad preparing for the Youth World Cup but was dropped after the injury.

Q: What was it like for you in England?

AM: When I just got there, it was real slow. I was playing in the normal Sunday League, just a bunch of guys playing Sunday mornings. However, the coaches move on to the younger players if they believe they are talented. The coach pushed me a little and I ended up at Hearnbay FC in the Kent League, that's below the Conference. I played about 15 games for Hearnbay and while there West Ham had a look at me.

Q: What prompted your move to Reading Town?

AM: I moved on to Reading Town because it was close to college.

Q: What's the set-up at Reading Town?

AM: Reading Town is just another semi-pro team hunting promotion to the Ryman Premier League, that's a league below the Conference but it's a good place to develop talent.

Q: How did you revert to being a forward after being made into a defender with the national Under-17s?

AM: When I went to England, the coaches put me on the right side of midfield, saying I was quick and creative. From there, I scored 36 goals in the first season for Reading and 23 in the second season. It got better and after that I was trained to be an out-and-out striker.

Q: What made you return to Jamaica?

AM: It's all about franchising, popularity. I'm not very well known in Jamaica due to the age at which I left, 18. I need to be a lot more popular - especially with the movement we have of local players making it out of the country. In England it's difficult because the problem most foreigners have is securing a work permit. I am married so I have the edge there, but it's still difficult not being well known.

Q: Why Portmore United?

AM: Portmore are defending champions, plus a friend of mine got me involved, took me to have a few words with the technical director. I also know some of the national coaches who work with Portmore, plus they knew me from then. I also played nationally with Omar Daley and know quite a few of the players here.

Q: Are you tied to Reading Town?

AM: Not really but in an unorthodox way. Reading Town is also a part of me coming back. They thought it was the best way for me to get the exposure to get to the next level, try to get into the national team here.

Q: Which other local club have you represented?

AM: I played with Arnett Gardens as an Under-20 and with Central Links in the 'A' League. Coach Jerome Waite of Arnett Gardens had a lot to do with my development. He taught me a lot of football.

Q: What was it like to score on debut?

AM: Unexplainable. It takes a lot of pressure off me as a new player.

Q: What's your goal?

AM: To get to the highest level, the national team where, hopefully, my talent can be exposed.

- Ainsley Walters

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