Going Korea with U17 player Stephen Knox.
By: Saun Fuentes (TTFF).[/size]
This young and ambitious striker will go down in the record books as one who scored T&T's all important 2-1 victory over Canada to set them on course for their first ever qualification for a FIFA Under 17 World Championship. Knox, from Arima and a member of the CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh club talks about his days growing up, his hopes, his ambitions and shows signs of having a clever and level head on his shoulders.
Tell a bit about your up bringing. Your early footballing experience?
As a younger boy, I was fortunate to have three older brothers who encouraged me to play football. They kept behind me. I went Arima Boys RC and we won a few titles there. Then I was at 1st FC Santa Rosa and some other smaller clubs. I started at Joe Public at age 14 and now I have been with CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh for two years now.
You must have idols. Who are they and why?
Internationally it’s Ronaldo. And locally I would say Angus Eve. He was a good player and he was determined to make it. He coaches at Jabloteh as well and talks to me on a normal basis a lot of times.
What’s your favourite food?
Anything my mom cooks.
Who is your Favourite international player and club?
Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
What other sports you fancy?
Just Football !
What would go down as your most memorable moment in the game so far?
When I scored four goals in our 8-1 win over Aruba and also when I scored for Fatima College against Mucurapo SC to win the North Intercol title. Most memorable moment in the game.
What brand of boots you wear on the pitch?
Nike.
At what age did you decide that you wanted to have a serious go at football?
At age ten. That year we reached the semi-finals of the National Primary Schools Competition. I was the captain but we lost to Egypt Primary. Jean Luc Rochford from this Under 17 team was also on the team with me back then.
Who helped you make that call to get more into the football beat?
My father pushed me a lot. Mom wanted me to focus more on the academics as she didn’t consider football a long term surety plan. But now she has accepted my football ambitions. My dad John is a retired lecturer at COSTATT and my mom is a retired Primary School Principal.
What drives you?
This comes from my parents! From the earlies my mom always made sure I did my schoolwork and If I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to go out on the football field. I transferred from Holy Cross College to Fatima College in Form Four and the principal there Anthony Garcia was responsible for that move.
What advice you would have to other youngsters like yourself who are trying to make it and may not have the resources or similar backing like yourself?
Keep your head up. Never look down at yourself. If you want to do something, go all out and things will start happening positively for you.
Tell us who are some of the coaches you would have come up under?
Gwenwyn Cust and Angus Eve at Jabloteh, Keith Look Loy and Anton Corneal with the national team.
What are your dreams for the next four-five years?
Hopefully I would like to see myself in a foreign professional club either in Spain or England or even if the opportunity comes up for me to further my studies in the USA and play football at the same time. I would like to major in Economics.
Why Economics?
I just like it generally. I’m also good in History.
Did the Soca Warriors inspire you in some way?
What they accomplished inspired me a lot especially since the average “Trini” said the team would not be able to make it and was just a bunch of talented players who couldn’t get it right together. They proved everybody wrong and showed the world that they could achieve success and do it with all the determination and courage.
How do you relax away from football ?
Sometimes I just prefer to be alone at home, sleep or lime with family members and friends.
Do you think footballers your age work hard enough in an attempt to accomplish their goals?
Honestly I think some players just do enough to get by and it’s because of the options we have in Trinidad and Tobago. We don’t necessarily have to fight hard to be a footballer and we have other outdoor options. If you look at the poorer places in Costa Rica and Honduras, they have to fight more to achieve something and support their families. We in T&T are of a more relaxed nature. But the guys in this team have showed a willingness to work hard and that’s a good sign for the future. With the right guidance which we already getting, hopefully we could move on to bigger things and be an inspiration to others.
Does your last comment inspire you to become a better person and player?
It does at times but sometimes it could all get the better of you and you can become the average person again and maybe be sidetracked. That’s when it’s time to pull your socks up.
Player Info
Name – Stephen Knox
Position – Forward
Club – San Juan Jabloteh
School – Fatima College
Date of Birth – September 3, 1990
Hometown – Arima
