No tall order for ‘Shortman’ in JPL

The general rule of thumb in sports is that taller, faster and stronger athletes dominate whichever discipline they participate in. However, there are exceptions to shorter sportsmen and women.

In the case of football, two of the greatest players to ever grace the game are Argentina's Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, at five foot seven inches and five foot five inches, respectively.

On the local scene, the Jamaica Premier League has its version of Messi and Maradona in the form of Humble Lion's 19-year-old midfielder Jardel 'Shortman' Williams.

The diminutive player is even shorter, standing at just five feet one inch. However, the former Camperdown player has stood tall among some of the larger players in the league after just two games in the new season.

Williams made his first start for Humble Lion in a 1-1 draw with Molynes United last Sunday. He was one of the standout players with his telling and accurate passes while showing maturity beyond his years.

For the central midfielder, playing in the country's top flight provides him confidence despite his height disadvantage.

"When you play against bigger, more aggressive players, you have to keep it simple, and my game is all about passing and moving and not spending too much time with the ball. I also love to create space for my teammates, which has been working for me so far," said Williams.

Williams says his lack of height has helped him so far in the league, as he can bob and weave through tight spaces, which gives him more time to play balls through the channels to the attackers.

"The league is very physical, and there is a lot of contact, but I try to avoid it as much as possible. At my size, I know I have to work twice as hard as the other players and knowing that motivates me to keep pushing," he said.

Humble Lion's coach, Andrew Price, believes Williams is a coachable and industrious player.

"Jardel is short in stature but big in attitude. He is always willing to work hard and tirelessly and always gives 100 per cent. He reminds me a lot of the late Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm - short in stature but gave a lot out on the field," said Price, referencing the former Jamaica international player.

Williams, a Trench Town native, hopes to ply his trade on the international stage eventually; however, he is taking things in strides as he improves in his fledgling career.

"I want to play overseas one day, and it doesn't have to be in one of the big leagues. I know I need to learn a lot more, and I am willing to work to make that happen," he said.