Kevin ‘Pele’ Wilson

In 1995, Kevin ‘Pele’ Wilson ignited the Manning Cup and led what many people consider the greatest schoolboy football team to Manning, Walker Cup and Olivier Shield victories, the coveted treble. At the time, nobody had seen football at the schoolboy level like that since Walter Boyd. The skill and class Wilson showed made him a cut above the rest. He went on to earn a national senior cap, and in his first game of for Jamaica he hit the back of the net.

It’s almost as if that goal was a bad thing for Wilson, as he drifted into obscurity after that. The national team seemed to have forgotten the kind of talent he showed as a schoolboy. He continued to do well at the Premier League level for Arnett and won titles with them, sending fans into uphoria week in week out with feats of incomparable skill.

What many people uninitiated about the intricacies of the game don’t understand about Wilson is that he’s not just skillful. His movement off the ball is deceptive and his awareness of what is happening on the field is impressive. Wilson’s technical ability is also something people don’t pay attention to. Blessed with exceptional control, the Arnett Gardens player also has the ability to kick the ball ferociously with both feet, he passes the ball well and can play any position (save goalkeeper) on the field.

Two seasons ago, Wilson went abroad to play in the summer as is customary for him. When he came back he was injured and overweight. It has been a long road back to health for him, as though his injury problems seem to be behind him, he has not been back to his best form since.

Moments of brilliance have come, as is expected with a player of the kind of class Wilson possesses but his talent suggests those are too few and he must do better if his team is to pick themselves up from the bottom of the tables.

Known to be a quiet personality, Wilson still possesses what it takes to do better because his laid back nature gives way to a supremely confident individual on the field. Not shy to take on defenders and to try those things that have crowned him remarkable, it’s just a matter of time before he gets it right.

Whether or not he gets it right with Arnett Gardens is another question, as fans of the player have said his dedication to one club over the years has made him too comfortable and he has no real urge to do well. If this is the case then a change of club might just be the injection needed to spark this player into life and return him to the spotlight.