‘Teddy’ wants to leave game on his terms

Tivoli Gardens midfielder Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson says that he has one more professional season left in him and hopes that he exits the game on his own terms.

Johnson was speaking recently on Gleaner Sports Live, discussing his football journey in England, his experience working with national senior men's head coach Theodore Whitmore, and the chances for the current crop of national players to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

Johnson was in the midst of his club's revival in the 2019-20 Red Stripe Premier League season. Having struggled in the beginning of the campaign, the western Kingston team was in the top six in March for the first time all year before the coronavirus suspended and ultimately cancelled the season.

Turned 40

Having turned 40 last month, Johnson said that while he has going back and forth on whether to exit the game, he believes that he is not ready to call time on his playing career yet.

"I think I have one season left, but I just have to keep training, keep running down these younger players," he said. "Once I can manage that I know I'm ready. But in my head, I'm not finished."

While mentally ready to take on the challenge for another year, he says that it will depend on how his body feels, specifically his right knee, which he has had issues with.

"Since I did the operation on my right knee, it has been given my much problems, to be honest. I haven't done much work on it. That's my fault, though," he said. "But it is up to my body if I can manage [it]."

Johnson returned to Tivoli Gardens in 2015 after 13 years playing in England. His stops included Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday. He stated that playing for the club that gave him his start in 1996 was not hard. and indicated his desire to serve the club as a coach should he decide to retire from the game.