Fabian Reid itching for Reggae Boyz call-up
Though dominating the Trinidad and Tobago League for the last two years with San Juan Jablotech, Arnett Gardens’ Fabian Reid believes his effort went unnoticed by the Jamaican coaches. He has returned home where he thinks he can be seen.
“I just want to show Jamaica that I am really serious so I can get a national call. So I am working hard towards it,” Reid told the Jamaica Observer recently.
“That’s the reason I came back, because when I was in Trinidad and ‘mashing up’ [doing well] the season, I didn’t get any look in. The National coach (Winfred Schaefer, at the time) didn’t see me. So I decided to come home and work hard and see if I can get into the national team,” he reiterated.
“It was very disappointing because I was over there playing well and I wouldn’t have minded if he could have come and taken a look at me there,” said Reid.
Reid, 25, who is a skilful, fleet-footed player, loves to operate just behind the strikers. He said he learned a lot in Trinidad.
“I won the league, won the leading goalscorer, and I believe I am the first Jamaican to achieve that,” he told the
Observer.
“I learned a lot of things, especially how to play fast. So I adjusted to the professional system over there and fans can expect the best from me because I always put out the best. Every game I will be on my A game, so they can expect the best,” he noted.
Reid, since his return to Jamaica, has been the main man for Arnett with the absence of some of the senior players. He welcomed news that a mostly locally-based squad has been named for the upcoming Caribbean Cup qualifiers.
“The reason you can use the local players is because they want it more, because the overseas players are comfortable. When they lose, it’s like nothing. We out here as locals, we need it. When they put us out there we are going to do well,” Reid noted.
Over the years Jamaican teams have suffered from the lack of a real creative midfielder and Reid, known as “Paco Blacks”, thinks he has what it takes to fill that role.
“I would bring a nice flavour to the national team because I am a winner. I like to win,” said Reid.
“Plus I could be that creative player. If you watch me you will see that I am always creating chances, and when I get my chance I finish my chance. I am hard-running midfielder. I like to play top midfield, right, left anywhere you put me, I will be creative,” he noted.
Reid is also called “Walter Boyd” after the former Reggae Boy star. Boyd is one of his idols, along with Germany’s hitman Thomas Mueller.
“People always call me Walter Boyd and Thomas Mueller is my god. I like him [Mueller] because as a midfielder I play like him; we create chances and score when we get them,” noted Reid.
However, before Reid makes that transition to Jamaica’s senior set-up, he will have to first secure a start at one of the most talented teams in the country.
“Competition is good because I have a whole heap of challenge — like Vishunul Harris, Renae Lloyd, Marvin Morgan, Kenneil Hyde — a lot of challenge, so it pushes me a lot, which is better for me,” said Reid.
“This Arnett Gardens team is the best team; cannot lose this premier league. But it doesn’t play on paper, it is done on the field. In training right now it is hard and we are going back for the premier league this season,” he pointed out.
“But the real objective is to get a national call because I know I can do it,” said Reid, before jogging off to join his teammates in training.