Kenwyne: Football saved me a call-up

Published 00:00 19/04/08 By By Simon Bird

Kenwyne Jones has revealed he was so desperate to become a footballer he spent three months trawling Europe for a club - or face a career in the Trinidad army.

Jones will lead Sunderland's attack in the North East derby tomorrow, well aware of what make-or-break means in life.

The£6million star is now one of the Premier League's most talented and feared targetmen after a successful first season in the top flight.

But he won his chance the hard way, after the birth of his first child Isaiah, now four, inspired him to leave the Caribbean and trawl around training grounds chasing his dream of being a pro.

Wife Avalon, Isaiah and twins Arianne and Kaelyn are among the inspirations that helped kick-start his career.

His back-flipping uncle, Philbert Jones, a World Cup star for Trinidad & Tobago, taught him his spectacular goal celebration.

And mother Lydia worked in the United States for six months at a time as a domestic worker to support her family, leaving two young sons with dad Pamphile.

Such a background has left Jonesuneasy with the fame and fortune the Prem brings, but grateful to be living his dream, and playing under Roy Keane.

Jones admitted: "I was on the road for three and a half months travelling round Europe, spending two weeks in different places having trials.

"I went to Rangers and Southampton and had trials with Manchester United and hadmy photo taken with Roy Keane, West Ham and went over to Holland.

"It was hard because I'd just had my son and it was make it - or join the army.

It was not about sitting back and hoping something would happen - and if it didn't wait around until it did.

"I had a family to support and at that time, it was either this is it . . . or I go into the services. I was ready for that life."

Jones' trademark back flip has been learned from Uncle Philbert, who helped Trinidad to within a point of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup.

The 23-year-old added: "He was my inspiration when I was younger. He played for the national team and I remember him as the starting striker and nearly getting to Italia '90.

"That was big at the time because the whole country was behind the team. It changed the profile of football in the country.

"It was more or less sealed for me from then on. That was my real inspiration to become a footballer. Where I lived there was a football field across from my house and everybody would be out every evening playing.

"We had small goalposts, about five-a-side size. We'd rush home from school, drop our bags and be out playing football 24/7 until we were called in.

"My dad and uncle played football and they became quite famous and I liked that. My uncle did back flips and he inspired me to do that.

"I was about seven and I saw him doing doing some sit-ups and, bang, just like that, out of nowhere he did a back flip. Most incredible thing I ever saw!

"I wanted to do it. I played in school tournaments at the age of 13 and the first time I scored did the back flip. I scored, ran to the corner and just flipped over.

"Everyone stood back, they'd never seen it before, and that was the start of it."

Jones has caught the eye of Liverpool and Chelsea but said: "I love it at Sunderland. We've had quite a good season. We have a beautiful team, the spirit is wonderful and more than anything we have character. Along with your skill and football ability you really need that."

After his battle to the top Jones has proved he too has talent, character and spirit, as Kevin Keegan's defence will discover tomorrow.

I was on the road around Europe, spending two weeks in different places having trials

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