In 1997, Jamaican football was the top of the props. A header by defender Ian 'Pepe' Goodison stamped the Jamaica passports to the 1998 World Cup. After a bright start to the qualifying campaign, a chiefly locally based squad had begun to flounder. Three England based professionals - including Deon Burton - brought pace and professionalism to the Reggae Boyz, and Burton's crucial goals put Jamaica in position to benefit from Goodison's header against regional kingpin Mexico in Kingston.

Jamaica had earned the right to play in the World Cup Finals for the first time. Understandably, Burton was named 'Sportsman of the Year' by the Carreras Sports Foundation. Burton was the star on the field, but Horace Burrell, the President of the Jamaica Football Federation, was the top celebrity. It was he who convinced the business sector that, with cash, Jamaica could qualify for the World Cup.

With that support, he secured the services of charismatic Brazilian, Rene Simoes, who moulded the Jamaican squad into a team worthy of playing in the World Cup. In addition, the Burrell-Simoes axis saw Jamaica qualify for the World Youth Cup as well.

NO FAIRYTALE
There was no fairytale World Cup story for Jamaica in France the year of 1998. Despite the unfortunate occurrence that our boyz didn't advance from the first round, great goals by Robbie Earle and Theodore Whitmore, and a 2-1 win over Japan gave plenty of thrills.

Sadly, Jamaica hasn't become a world power in football in the eight years since the 1998 World Cup. With Burrell still at the helm, Jamaica missed qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. Creston Boxhill replaced Burrell as President of the JFF in 2003, but Jamaica was unable to qualify for the recent 2006 World Cup.

Boxhill came to power on a manifesto of youth development. That focus had proven successful in his home parish of Clarendon, but has proven hard to implement at the national level. Fans had become used to big international matches at the National Stadium but those appear to be a thing of the past. Heavy losses in overseas games haven't endeared Boxhill to local fans.

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