Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
Striker Onandi Lowe (left) is presented with his team kit by Michael Deer of Arnett Gardens Football Club during yesterday's official unveiling of the former Coventry City player. Lowe will play his first match of the season for Arnett Gardens this afternoon in the Red Stripe Champions Cup Knockout against Los Perfectos. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
BEGINNING TODAY, Onandi Lowe will again be donning the red and black colours of Wray and Nephew National Premier League team Arnett Gardens.
The Junglists travel to play Manchester Super League team Los Perfectos in a Red Stripe Champions Cup KO match in cool Mandevillle.
The elevated mid-island town on John Crow Mountains is not as cold as England, but the towering Lowe will be looking to deliver his trademark powerful performances for his new team like almost a year ago when playing English League football.
Then, he had only just taken up a contract with Coventry City. That association lasted less than a fortnight as the striker was held on cocaine charges and that thrust the versatile player into a court battle in England.
The former central defender's defence team won the near nine-month battle and Lowe was instantly sought by Division One team Peterborough.
TRANSFER DEADLINE
However, by the time they had won the case, the transfer deadline had elapsed, which effectively killed off his chances of gaining a work permit that would have allowed him to play.
Lowe is optimistic he'll be returning to play in England though.
At a function held by the club at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel yesterday evening to unveil their new signing, Lowe said: "There are a lot of clubs in England which want me to play."
He, however, refused to name any or the division.
In the interim, Lowe will represent Arnett, who have the rights to him. He last represented them in the 2001 season.
He was presented with his number 51 jersey and kit by the club's equipment manager, Michael 'Jimmy X' Deer, and is expected to play at Arnett until the transfer window re-opens in Britain, which translates to the end of the NPL season here.
No financial details were revealed.
"I'm just here for a short period of time," Lowe said of his renewed association with Arnett Gardens, which was influenced by the club's president Patrick Roberts.
"I spoke to Patrick on the phone," he explained, before going on to state that he "had a little doubt".
The defining factor, he said, is "I'm a bit rusty ... I've been out of football for 10 months, I'm not 100 per cent, I'm about 65 per cent".
LEADERSHIP
Of the team, he said: "Arnett is a very talented and professional team. We just lack a leader but I'm here to help them in that regard and to help to get them into the semi-finals."
Lowe, one never afraid to speak his mind, also spoke of his recent trials off the pitch and commented on the issue of him representing Jamaica again.
"There's no argument or discussion with any manager, coach of official with regards to the Jamaica team. All that is just rumours, I haven't spoken to anyone," was his response to the possibility of him being called up for the Gold Cup finals.
Answering a specific question about him playing for Jamaica again, Lowe was non-commital, saying: "You can forgive but not forget. When your back is against the corner, then you realise and understand who are your friends are."
He continued speaking in parables, adding that "the stone that the builder refused will become the chief cornerstone".
"There's only one Onandi Lowe and I'll be here for ages and ages," he concluded.
Regarding his court case, Lowe said: "Sometimes in life some things happen to let you open your eyes and let you realise. I'd like to say thanks to God, he makes everything happen, to the Arnett Gardens family and everyone who said a word of prayer for me."
Arnett president Roberts and Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) president Stewart Stephenson welcomed Lowe back home and wished him the best of luck.
