Ricardo Fuller was not the only disappointed party after the medical examination on his knee suggested that it was not worth hiring him at the time.
-File photo
THE MAN many view as one of the best strikers produced by Jamaica, Ricardo 'Wily-Boo' Fuller takes the spotlight this week in Sportsmax From the Pitch
feature.
Born on October 31, 1979, the 6 ft 3" tall striker is enjoying his first year in top English League The English Premier League. He dons Portsmouth's blue jersey, a feat he realised in August this year. From 12 league appearances, Fuller has scored one goal and has been cautioned twice.
Fuller has been playing club football since 2001. At that time he joined Crystal Palace on a one million pound transfer from local Premier League club Tivoli Gardens, where he played football since 1999.
HEAVY KNOCKING
He would spend the next two years of his football life knocking heavily at EPL doors. In fact, Fuller played for both Crystal Palace and Hearts of Midlothian before joining Preston. The wily forward netted 27 goals in 58 appearances while at North End.
But when former Portsmouth boss Harry Recknapp first conceived the idea of hiring the striker to pep up his team's shooting squad, the deal went through the window as the striker's troubled right knee ruled him out of a contract situation with the Premier League Club, and Fuller's dreams of playing EPL football suffered a major
setback.
That old knee injury had once again robbed the national striker of an opportunity to showcase his skills at the highest level of English football and had left a lot of fans bewildered probably wondering what would be his next move.
Fuller was not the only disappointed party after the medical examination on his knee suggested that it was not worth hiring him at the time. In fact, Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie was quoted on the club's website as saying: "It was one of the hardest things I had to do a month ago when I told Ricardo the medical diagnosis and he was extremely disappointed.
THE GAMBLE
"Originally, as a club we just could not take the gamble on paying out a lot of money based on the advice we were given.
"We then watched him against Watford and have now concluded a deal that is sensible for all concerned, giving Ricardo his deserved chance to fulfil his Premiership ambitions.
"There are no doubts about Ricardo's ability as a footballer and we are delighted to now have him on board to bolster our striking options."
But Fuller's fortunes turned within a matter of months and the striker moved to Portsmouth on a 1.7 million pound deal from Preston. The knee injuries which prevented the transfer have since cleared up, but both parties decided that the player operates on a two-year pay-as-you-play contract.
Fuller and his Portsmouth take on West Bromwich Albion at home today.
Portsmouth, with 18 League points, are currently lying 11th in the standings behind leaders Chelsea (36), Arsenal (31) Everton (30) and Manchester United (27 points).
