FIFA World Rankings latest

The latest release of FIFA's World Rankings see Montserrat lie in joint-203rd and last place alongside American Samoa, Andorra and San Marino. The country's highest ever placing of 196th came in July 2006, with an all-time low of 205th between July and September 2004.

Skipper stars in strong start

Montserrat captain Anthony Griffith's Port Vale team are enjoying an excellent start to the new English league season, winning two and drawing two of their first four games. The Staffordshire-based side currently lie in 6th place in the Npower League Two table.

Dyer deal set in stone

Montserrat midfielder Alex Dyer has signed a contract to keep him with Ryman Isthmian Premier Division team, Wealdstone. The 21-year-old, who made his international debut this summer against Belize, has been attracting the interest of several professional clubs, having joined The Stones from League Two side Northampton Town last September. He has been a big success in his twelve months with the London-based club, scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 Middlesex Charity Cup Final win over Hanworth Villa last May. Wealdstone kick-off their new league campaign next Saturday with a home game against Margate.

Hodgson signs for Hinckley

Montserrat’s all-time leading goalscorer, Jaylee Hodgson, has signed for English Blue Square Bet North team, Hinckley United, following several impressive performances in their pre-season matches. The Leicestershire-based club play in the second-tier of English non-league football and begin the new league season with a trip to Guiseley next Saturday.

What now for the Emerald Boys?

It has been a monumental nine months for Montserratian football. Firstly, last October there was the nation’s first participation in the Caribbean Cup for five years after missing the previous two tournaments in 2007 and 2008. Although results didn’t go as hoped for with three successive defeats to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the team were back playing on the world stage again. More recently, Kenny Dyer’s men had the honour of kicking-off qualification for the 2014 World Cup and although the games against Belize ultimately ended in defeat, coach Dyer has been able to bring in some new and exciting young talent, including captain Anthony Griffith, midfielder Alex Dyer and goal-scoring sensation Jaylee Hodgson. So, where does the team go from here? The qualifying dates for the 2012 Caribbean Championship Finals in Antigua and Barbuda next June/July, have yet to be announced, meaning that when exactly the Emerald Boys will play again is uncertain. This current team has real potential to make a significant impact in world football. The impressive levels of play, team spirit and camaraderie that have been built in recent months, need to be maintained. This can only be done through playing friendly matches, but the fact is that Montserrat has only ever played one full international friendly, the 2002 ‘Other Final’ in Bhutan. It is all, of course, a question of logistics. Montserrat’s players are spread all over the world - the UK, Ireland, Australia and the United States - and so getting them altogether is a problem. However, with the majority being based in the UK, perhaps there is the possibility of playing a friendly there. More significantly, Montserrat has its own superb facility, the Blakes Estate Stadium. Noted for its excellent playing surface, the stadium would have been used for the recent home tie against Belize had the dressing rooms been ready. Staging a friendly international there would be a wonderful occasion for the island and its football. What about a return fixture against Bhutan?!

On June 30th 2002, the day of the World Cup Final in Yokohama, Japan between Brazil and Germany, the two lowest-ranked nations within FIFA, Bhutan and Montserrat, met in Thimphu, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom. The match was the idea of Dutch filmmaker, Johann Kramer. Below is a link to a trailer for the documentary film that he produced, ‘The Other Final.’

'The Other Final' trailer

Montserrat knocked out of World Cup

Montserrat were eliminated from the 2014 World Cup with their heads held high following a 1-3 defeat by Belize in their preliminary round, second leg qualifier in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. From the first game last month which Belize won 5-2, Montserratian coach Kenny Dyer made five changes, bringing in goalkeeper Jermaine Sweeney as well as Clifford Joseph, Calvin Petrie, Nyron Dyer and Alexander Bramble. However, he was only able to name four substitutes. Daniel Jimenez opened the scoring for the Belizeans in the 24th minute, but Jaylee Hodgson equalised on the hour, becoming Montserrat’s leading goalscorer of all-time in the process. However, Belize restored their advantage almost immediately through hat-trick hero from the first leg, Deon McCauley, and threatened to run away with the tie when Luis Mendez netted another two minutes later. However, the Montserrat team held firm and there were no further goals scored, giving Belize an 8-3 aggregate win.

Montserrat team: Jermaine Sweeney, Clifford Joseph, Calvin Petrie, Kendall Allen, Nyron Dyer, (sub: Dale Lee 62mins) Anthony Griffith (captain), Darryl Roach, Jaylee Hodgson, Alexander Bramble, (sub: Denoy Campbell 62 mins) Alex Dyer, Leovan O’Garro.
Subs not used: Linbert Wright and Stanford Jarrett.

Goals from the match

Second leg on Sunday

The game is now taking place this Sunday (July 17th) at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras