McGrath player delays army entry to fight for football cup

McGrath player delays army entry to fight for football cup

October 20, 2019 0 By Horace Mills

He could have been in the military firing shots; he is instead on football fields kicking balls.

Peter McGregor, who hails from Spanish Town in St Catherine, is Vice Captain of the history-making McGrath High School football team.

He is the among the main players that spectators and other teams watch whenever McGrath plays in the ISSA|WATA daCosta Cup Football Competition.

Peter told The Beacon that the excessive attention is sometimes pressuring, but he has become accustomed to it.

“I am used to that from Waterford [High School],” he said.

The fifth former, who enrolled at McGrath High in 2017, started to represent that school in the football competition in 2018.

Peter said he is among three student footballers brought in from other schools to strengthen the McGrath squad, which comprises mainly original McGrath students.

He does not regret making the transition. “It feels great that I made a good decision to come to McGrath,” Peter declared.

His coach at McGrath High – Jermaine Thomas, is the same coach he had at Waterford High.

Commenting on Peter, the coach told The Beacon: “He is a special boy – talented youngster, and I am looking forward for a lot of things from him in the future.”

Peter, in the meantime, started playing football in primary school, but he initially doubted his competence.

“My father [Peter McGregor Snr] saw that I had the talent and pushed me. I didn’t want to play football though; I didn’t realize that I have a football talent until the coach and some past-students pushed me and showed me that I have the talent to play,” he explained.

Peter further stated that, since he discovered his special football skills, he has been working assiduously to hone them.

“I train hard. During the summer, I get up early and put in some work and it is paying off right now,” he posited, adding that he is a big fan of the legendary Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Peter, now pursuing six CXC subjects at McGrath, is also passionate about joining the Jamaica Defence Force.

“I want to become a soldier; I did the [entry] test and passed. I told my coach, and he was telling me to give the football a chance because I have a great talent. I did what he said, and it’s paying off now.”

Peter has great expectations, considering that his squad passed the competition’s first round for the first time since it started participating in 1994.

“It feels great to know that McGrath is going through for the first time and I am involved in doing that. We are grateful for where we have reached,” he added.

The Vice Captain further stated that, as McGrath moves into the quarterfinals, the footballers will continue working together with one intention – and that is to win the entire competition.

By Horace Mills, Journalist


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