RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS: ONANDI LOWE
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Anyone remember the Reggae Boyz? The 1998 World Cup in France was certainly a lot brighter thanks to the presence of Jamaica in the finals for the first time. And after performing a minor miracle to qualify, the Caribbean's finest fought back from a humiliating 5-0 thrashing by Argentina to beat Japan and bow out of the competition in a blaze of glory. Two veterans of that World Cup campaign now earn their wage with today's visitors Rushden & Diamonds, Paul Hall and Onandi Lowe. Both players moved to Northamptonshire last season to help push the Diamonds all the way into the play-off final, Hall on the back of long career in the English game, while Lowe had spent nearly all of his years playing on the other side of the Atlantic. Twenty-nine year old 'Nandi' made his name at Jamaican side Harbour View, also playing in the American A-League with Canadian outfit Montreal Impact, and his big 6'3" frame earnt him a spot in the national team as a utility player under colourful coach Rene Simoes, who once said, "he has the ability to become Jamaica's best ever sweeper, and one of the finest in the world." Lowe started the Reggae Boyz's historic first game in the World Cup Finals, lining up against Croatia in Lens as a central defender to mark Davor Suker. Although Robbie Earle scored right on half-time to equalise Mario Stanic's early strike, the Croats eventually overwhelmed Jamaica to win 3-1. A different system for their next match with Argentina signalled three changes including the removal of Lowe from the starting line-up. Simoes opted for a back three in defence and paid the price as the eventual quarter-finalists won by five goals with a Batistuta hat-trick at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Another three changes meant Onandi was back in the side to face Japan in the city of Lyon, this time in a defensive midfield anchor role. It seemed to do the trick as a brace from Theo Whitmore either side of the interval sunk their Asian opponents to the bottom of the group. Perhaps if Lowe had been played in his preferred position in attack, then Jamaica may not have gone home so early in the tournament. On his return from France, Onandi turned out for local sides Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens before he secured a move back to the better-paid American A-League with Richmond Kickers. Under the stewardship of coach Curt Johnson, Lowe blossomed up front alongside Gary Glasgow and scored an amazing 15 goals in 16 games. That kind of form alerted their rivals, the superbly-named Rochester Raging Rhinos, and six goals in 2000 helped win the A-League Championship. In February 2001, Port Vale came calling and snapped up the giant forward for a short-term loan spell. He managed to net twice during his month there, as Vale remained unbeaten to pull away from the relegation zone in Division 2 whilst progressing towards the final of the LDV Vans Trophy, which the club eventually won. Lowe returned to the States and broke into the Major League with reigning champions Kansas City Wiz, rejoining former colleagues Johnson and Glasgow from his Richmond days. He was soon enticed back to Britain by Rushden boss Brian Talbot, and after signing late last November, he made his debut at home against Rovers and scored from a free-kick within thirteen minutes. He added another nineteen before the season was out, including two more at the Mem, and his goal earlier this season makes it four goals against the Gas already.
In 1998 there were seven English-based members of the 22-man World Cup squad, but with several more British-born players electing to play for their ancestral homeland as well as a few Jamaicans moving over to the English League, there are now sixteen internationals that play here, including our former hero Barry Hayles who has four caps to his name.
Here is the full list: Jamaican-born stars Ian Goodison and Theo Whitmore both played for Hull City at one time, while Walter Boyd turned out for Swansea. Elsewhere, Robert Scarlett had a brief spell with Spartak Moscow and Keith Kelly is currently at Paris Saint Germain.
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