QPR's Ricky Sappeleton (and his Brother, Patrick) Profiled - Liverpool Interest Noted

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QPR's youth player, Ricky Sappleton profiled. Article notes the Liverpool interest. (If messageboard rumours are correct, Sappleton was rcently released by QPR and has trained with Liverpool]

British-based brothers 'wannabe' Reggae Boyz
February 6, 2007 - Jamaica Gleaner - Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Disappointment, especially after making sacrifices, can sometimes put people off or make them bitter. It takes a special quality for one to get even closer, become more determined to prove him or herself and even steer others in that direction.
Like many young footballers, Patrick Sappleton dreamed of representing his country internationally. Not even migration to England in 1997 could kill the dream of young Sappleton of being a part of Jamaica's squad to the 1999 Under-17 World Youth Cup in New Zealand.
To make the cut, he pleaded with his parents to allow him to return to Jamaica in order to spend six months training with the squad. Things, however, did not work out for him - at least not at that time.
"It was really disappointing not to get selected especially as I believed that I was good enough to have at least made the squad. I had spent about six months down there trying hard. But it never happened," explained the now 24-year-old who plies his trade for Margate in the British Nationwide Conference.
That did not sour his experience towards Jamaica. In fact, it made him even more determined and when he noticed the emerging talents of his younger brother Reneil, there was only one place he thought of, Jamaica.
"I found Mr. (Patrick) 'Jackie' Walters to be a good manager and a good person at the time so I contacted him and told him about my brother. Since then I have spoken to the president and am waiting on a response," said Patrick, who looks after the affairs of his younger brother Reneil.
Reneil, a powerfully-built forward, plays for the Queens Park Rangers (QPR) reserves and is keen on representing the land of his birth.
"Even though I have been in England since 1997, Jamaica is where my whole family is from. I was born there and Jamaica is where I want to play," said the youngster who according to his brother, has been attracting interest from Premiership powerhouse Liverpool.
Goalscoring machine
Reneil appears to be a goalscoring machine having hit the back of the net 25 times in 30 games last season for the QPR Under-18s and getting an even better strike rate this season of 11 goals in 12 games.
"This is my first season for the QPR reserves. For the past couple of seasons I have played above my age group and Liverpool have been watching me play since last season and are in discussions with my representative," outlined the player who turned 17 on December 8, 2006.
Standing at 6'2" tall, Reneil believes he could be an asset to Jamaica's Under-20 team.
"I am good in the air, good with both feet, I hold up the ball well and difficult to get off it. In addition to that I have some skill as well," added the player who was due to spend a week at Liverpool last week.
Elder brother Patrick agrees that Reneil could make an impact for the Under-20s.
"He does not look like 17. He is of the build of Claude Davis and is really powerful. I believe he would be a handful for any defense, especially in his age group," said Patrick.
Wants to play for Jamaica
"Scouts for the England Under-16s had watched him a couple of times last year but then he was a little bit too old and besides, it is Jamaica that he really wants to play for," added Patrick.
But while Reneil is all the rage right now Patrick, who lives in London with his brother 10 minutes away from Arsenal and five from Tottenham Hotspurs, is still intent on wearing the national colours.
"I am still interested in representing Jamaica whenever the opportunity presents itself. I had a chat with the president about my chances and he said the manager is on holidays so he will get back to me," the powerfully-built central defender who stands at 5'11" noted.
Like younger brother Reneil, Patrick has been attracting interest from a higher level. But for an ankle injury he could have been under the guidance of former England captain, Paul Ince, who was named manager of the month of December for his work with Macclesfield.
"I was supposed to go to Macclesfield recently but I picked up an ankle injury. I was supposed to be there so they could have a look at me but the injury prevented that. At this time my agent, Winston Clarke, is waiting on a contact from Mr. Ince or some representative of the club."
In the meantime Patrick, who hails from May Pen, Clarendon and is a cousin of athlete Aldwyn, will keep ploughing away until better comes. While the Conference may not seem glamorous to many, Patrick said the standard is quite good and that a decent living can be made.
"The Nationwide League is good and competitive. Portmore United wanted me to come and play for them but I said no it would make no sense for me to leave the Conference and play in a League which is no higher than what I am playing in. Additionally, it would not have made financial sense either.
"In the Conference you can live and you can live happily. I cannot say the same about the NPL. In fact what they would pay in the NPL works out to what I pay for petrol on a monthly basis here," he pointed out. Jamaica Gleaner