Jamaica Football Federation

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is the governing body of football in Jamaica and is in charge of the Jamaican national team and the Jamaican National Premier League.[2]

Jamaica Football Federation
CONCACAF
Founded1910
HeadquartersKingston, Jamaica
FIFA affiliation1962
CONCACAF affiliation1963[1]
PresidentMichael Rickets
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Early history (1893–1962)

According to the JFF, the Football Association was formed in 1910 and controlled all games in Jamaica.[3] In 1925, Jamaica's national team had its first international match against Haiti and won all three games 1–0, 2–1, and 3–0.[3] In 1926, Jamaica hosted Haiti at Sabina Park and won 6–0.[3][4] The Haitians remained frequent opponents, and it was not until 1932 that their run of defeats was broken with a 4–1 home win in Port-au-Prince.[5]

From 1925 to 1962, Jamaica had regular games with teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Cuba, as well as with clubs like the Haitian Racing CH and Violette AC, the British Corinthians, and the Argentinean Tigers.[6][7] Many of the games were played at Sabina Park and many clubs were established, including Melbourne, Kingston, Kensington, Lucas and St. George's Old Boys.[3] In 1952, the Caribbean All-Star team was formed with players from Trinidad, Cuba, Haiti, and Suriname. The team played four matches against Jamaica in Sabina Park. Jamaica won the second game 2–1 and the fourth 1–0, and the All-Stars won the first game 5–1 and the third 1–0.[8] Noted Jamaican players included Lindy Delapenha and Gillie Heron.[3]

Post-independence (1962 onward)

In 1965, under the leadership of Brazilian coach Jorge Penna, Jamaica made its first attempt at World Cup qualifying. This was for the 1966 World Cup finals in England. The preliminary group included Cuba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Jamaica. Jamaica's first game was against Cuba which they won 2–0 at Jamaica's National Stadium. In the qualifying match against the Netherlands Antilles, Jamaica also had a 2–0 victory with both goals coming. In the away games Jamaica was held to a goalless draw with the Netherlands Antilles and suffered a 2–1 defeat to Cuba. Jamaica then advanced to the final group of three, which included Costa Rica and Mexico. The winner of this group would represent the CONCACAF region. Jamaica lost at home to Mexico 3–2 and in the return leg in Mexico City the high altitude proved too much for the Jamaicans and they were defeated 8–0. Jamaica lost 7–0 to Costa Rica in their first encounter and had a 1–1 tie when they played at home.

In 1968, George Hamilton became the new coach as Jamaica attempted to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.[9] Jamaica had only a few remaining players from its previous World Cup team and had to rebuild because most of its players had retired or migrated abroad.[9] Jamaica lost all of its qualifying games in that year.[9]

Jamaica's participation in the 1974 World Cup elimination saw the suspension of 17 players on the team because of poor behavior on a tour to Bermuda. Jamaica withdrew from the elimination in order to restructure their team.

The 1978 World Cup in Argentina saw Jamaica playing Cuba and losing 3–1 at the National Stadium and then 2–0 in Havana, Cuba. Jamaica did not qualify.

In 1982 Jamaica did not make an attempt for the World Cup Final set in Spain due to insufficient funds and a poorly prepared team. Jamaica did not participate in the 1986 World Cup because suspension for affiliation fees that was due to FIFA.

In preparation for the 1990 World Cup with coach Jeffery Maxwell, Jamaica won both preliminary games against Puerto Rico 1–0 in Jamaica and 2–0 at Puerto Rico. The U.S. were the next opponents and was held to a goalless draw. The return leg in the U.S. saw Jamaica losing 5–1 bringing an end to their qualifying attempt.

The United States hosted the World Cup 1994. In qualifying Jamaica beat Puerto Rico 2–1 and was then faced Bermuda, Canada, and El Salvador from which two teams would advance to the final round. Jamaica tied 1–1 with Canada and Bermuda and then lost 2–0 to El Salvador, 1–0 to Canada, 2–1 to El Salvador. Jamaica then beat Bermuda 3–2 but did not qualify.

Under Brazilian Professor Renê Simões and National coach Carl Brown, the Jamaican team became a powerhouse in the Caribbean region and received the "Best Mover" award by FIFA in 1996.

Jamaica made history by becoming the first English-speaking country from the Caribbean to ever qualify for the World Cup finals.[10]

Presidents
  1. Ronald Gordon (1965–1967)
  2. George Abrahams CBE. (1967–1973)
  3. B. "Tino" Barvier (1973–1975)
  4. Locksley Comrie (1975–1977)
  5. Patrick Anderson (1977–1979)
  6. Lincoln Sutherland (1979–1981)
  7. Hugh Perry (1981–1983)
  8. Dr. Winston Dawes (1983–1985)
  9. Anthony James (1985–1992)
  10. Heron Dale (1992–1994)
  11. Captain Horace Burrell (1994–2003)
  12. Captain Horace Burrell (2007–2017)
  13. Michael Rickets (September 2017–)

References
  1. "Abrahams, Hill off to soccer meet today". Kingston Gleaner in newspaperarchive.com. 15 March 1963.
    "Jamaica under the sponsorship of Haiti and the Antilles gained membership last month."
  2. "Jamaica's massive football task - Editorial". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. Tortello, Rebecca. "A fascination with football". Jamaica Glenaer. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. Courtney, Barrie (6 March 2014). "Jamaica - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  5. "History of Jamaica's Football". Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  6. Tortello, Rebecca. "A fascination with football". Jamaica Glenaer. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. Courtney, Barrie (6 March 2014). "Jamaica - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  8. Courtney, Barrie (8 August 2003). "Jamaica vs Caribbean All Stars 1952". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  9. "History of Jamaica's Football". Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  10. "& Sport | World Cup 98 | Features | Jamaica - background". BBC News. 1998-05-03. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
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