All about football for Fabian 'Koji' Taylor

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

PORTMORE, St Catherine:

NOT EVEN the frequent outbreak of violence, which plagued Newlands, Portmore, St Catherine, when Fabian Taylor was growing up in the troubled community could propel him to take his eyes off his goal.

"It was really tough for my parents. There was a lot of war and gunshots. All of that was there for me to turn to the guns, and stuff like that, because there was a lot of disappointment and hunger, so to speak. Sometimes, you felt like that was the only way for you to get out of certain stuff, but I didn't choose that way," he said.

Instead, with perseverance, resilience, and guidance from his mother Pauline McCalla and father, Patrick, the 32-year-old not only fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer, but has become a prolific striker.

"I told Fabian that company would lead him astray and that I would not be the mother to back him if he followed bad company and got into trouble," McCalla, a vendor, shared with The Gleaner from her home in Newlands.

Koji, as Taylor is popularly known, was about eight years old when his cousin, Dwight Spence, introduced him to the sport. At that time, he was a student at the Naggo Head Primary School. Since then, he has never looked back.

"It was just all about football for Fabian," his older sister Daheima reflected. "If mommy left us at home and said he should sweep the yard or wash the plates, he wouldn't do it. He would go to the football field instead," she said.

"I used to get a lot of beating for not doing it, but it was worth it," Koji said reminiscing on his achievements over the last 12 years.

"What I should have done was to wash the plates and then go and play football, but I didn't," he burst into laughter.

Unlike his mother, who, in the initial stages, was not excited about him playing the sport, his father was very enthusiastic.

"The first time I heard that Fabian could play football good, I remember I went on farm work and the first money I worked, I bought a pair of football boots, put them into my bag to take back home for him," his father said proudly.

Koji, who represented both Naggo Head Primary and Bridgeport Comprehensive high schools in football, also distinguished himself in cricket. He captained the Colts under-16 cricket team at Bridgeport.

Main focus

"After he left Bridgeport, he was to apply to HEART to do woodwork and craft, but he never did," his mother recalled.

"She wanted me to stay in school and try and make something good out of life, but my main focus was on football and to get a permanent spot on the national team," Taylor said

Both Newlands FC and Central Link have benefited from his immense talent. In fact, he won the top goalscorer award for Newlands on more than one occasion, guiding the team to the St Catherine Division Two title.

He took his talent to the 'Stars of the East' Harbour View, and coach Vin Blaine has nothing but praise for the top striker.

"Over the years, he has given yeoman service to the club. He has been the leading goalscorer on several occasions in the league," Blaine told The Gleaner.

In 2004, the remarkable sportsman went on loan to United States Major League Soccer, donning the New Jersey MetroStars outfit. He returned to Harbour View and continued to display his versatility and prowess. Then, in 2008, he joined the Norwegian club Notodden FK.

While Koji cited several memorable moments during his stint for Jamaica's national team, there was one game that has been etched on his mind.

"I played against Brazil, which is my favourite team, as a youngster growing up. It was a pretty good experience for me. It was one of my great moments for the national team," he said.

While he still plays for Harbour View, he said that one day he would have to give up the sport, so he has established a wholesale and sports bar in Newlands.

Reflecting on his life as a child, the father of two boys, Taylon seven and five year-old Giovanni, says he has much to be thankful for.

rural@gleanerjm.com