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‘Chip Chop’ Weatherly bringing the energy to Montego Bay United
November 19, 2024
Johann 'Chip Chop' Weatherly, who has featured as a primary substitute for Montego Bay United (MBU) FC this season, says he wants to create enough opportunities and score as many goals to help his team bring home the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title.
The 27-year-old Weatherly, a fan favourite who brings energy when coming off the bench, scored his first goal this season against Racing United FC on Sunday to help MBU win 4-0 at Ferdie Neita Park in Portmore. His teammates Brian Brown, Shaniel Thomas and Tyrone Harrison added the other goals to the tally.
"There must be a reason the fans are always shouting for 'Chip Chop'. It is what I bring to the game, the excitement and the type of player that I am. I always produce so at all times the fans come out to see me. I give them something to talk about, they want to see their baller Chip Chop with the ball. When I have the ball, they know things will happen or something will change in the game," Weatherly told STAR Sports.
STRONGER, BETTER
According to Weatherly, MBU, the former champions, are stronger and better this season.
"Coming into this season, we added some better players to get the depth of the squad, so we are a completely different squad this year, stronger and better. We should be our own worst enemy, we 'nuh' really supposed to lose a game, maybe one or two games," Weatherly argued.
No stranger to MBU, Weatherly grew up in the youth academy and travelled overseas to play in the under-12, under-13 and under-15 tournaments.
He shared that he was introduced to football at a tender age because it has always been part of his family.
"Football is in my blood. I started playing from age four and I can remember always having a football. My father, Dr Dean Weatherly is a coach who has been winning titles and my mother is a football lover just the same. No match, like Seba (now MBU) and Wadadah don't miss my mother."
Reminiscing on his football career, Weatherly admitted to having international football experience.
"I played one season for Munro College in the daCosta Cup. I had two more seasons left, but I got an opportunity to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States at L.A. Galaxy for the under-18. I then went to Philadelphia United Academy.
PASSION
Asked about his passion for the sport, Weatherly said there is nothing else he would rather do.
"I never had any other plans when I attended school. It was always professional football. I never yet tell myself I want to be a doctor or anything else, football is the way I see out. My biggest motivation and drive was to sign a professional contract. In the future, my goal is to have someone to say 'I want to be just like Johann Weatherly', or 'I admire how he plays."
Becoming a starting player once again for MBU is something Weatherly said he will patiently wait for.
"This season, with a new coach and new system, changes were made so mentally I have to be strong and motivate myself, and hopefully when I get my chance again, I will take it," he stated.
"I am more physically fit at this time than last season. Last season I came in with a knee injury and some weight. The management had personnel who were there to let me put in the extra work to get back sharp and to full fitness. When full fitness came in, I started getting starter minutes and produced in the second round," Weatherly said.
