CHEVOY WATKIN

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts – Staff Reporter

Given a cricketer’s name at birth, but possessing no love for that sport, robust, vociferous, tough-talking and no-nonsense are just some of the words often used to describe the talented footballer, given name Chevoy Chanderpaul Watkin.

Watkin, popularly called ‘Seba Man’, remembers starting out in football at the tender age of 6. The rough-tackling defender, who reads the game extremely well, was born on November 11, 1995 in the lower class district of Retirement, Granville in St. James, to parents Ivett Evans and Erris Watkin.

A simple person off the field, full of laughter and well-known, Watkin holds a burning desire and has his eyes set on one day becoming a professional footballer. Now a resident in Camrose district, few metres from where he was born and raised, Watkin told the Western Mirror he has five siblings, revealing he is the fourth in line (second to last).

The player, who now plys his trade with Falmouth United in the Western CONFED, started out his playing days with Abbes United before making his big break with Faulkland, where he harnessed his skills under the watch of Kenneth Watson and Gregory Palmer.

Having a burning desire to one day represent the National team, Watkin, who represented St. James High in the schoolboy football competition, da’Costa Cup, started his education at Buckingham All Age, before moving to Granville All Age where he sat the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

Watkin, in his sit down with the Western Mirror, says the ongoing COVID-19, which has crippled sports and hampered lives in so many ways, has caused him great distress and leaves him missing out on his continued growth in game he loves.

“I’ve not been able to earn since the pandemic, as football was my primary means of earning. It has also left me not being able to play as often as I would like or as often as I would have liked and that has been really frustrating.” He also thinks his Falmouth team was on firm course to win the CONFED, but was robbed because of the cancellation of the League.

WATKIN’S CLOSE-UP:

Ques: What is your preferred mode of dress?

Ans: Just being simple, slippers and jeans

Ques: What kind of music do you listen to?

Ans: Mostly Dancehall and Hip Hop. I love the beat and the hype it brings

Ques: Is there a favourite meal that you like?

Ans: Typical of most Jamaicans rice and peas and chicken

Ques: Tell me your favourite colour?

Ans: Blue and white

Ques: What types of movie do you watch?

Ans: Horror movies

Ques: Is there anyone that has motivated or impacted your life significantly over the years?

Ans: Kenneth Watson, who guided me while I was at Faulkland and now Kymani Marley, just to name a few. They have always managed to keep me level-headed and grounded while teaching me to remain focus. They’ve helped me a lot on and off the field and being a better person, understanding my craft.  My brother, Troy, also has a great influence on my life and he too is a great motivator.

Ques: Do you have a best friend?

Ans: Yes. Nashville Robinson, we’ve been friends for some 6-plus years now

Ques: How tall are you?

Ans: 5’10”

Ques: What’s your favourite quote?

Ans: ‘Jah Jah’

Ques: Which is your most-liked local Premier League team?

Ans: That would have to be Waterhouse and the player I love to watch is Tremaine Stewart. He is compact in his play and very solid.

Ques: Which English Premier League club do you support?

Ans: Manchester United and the speedy Marcus Rashford is the one I love to watch. He is full of unpredictability with the ball at his feet and can be a nightmare for defenders

Ques: Is there a favourite book you’ve ever read?

Ans: Cricket for Fun

Ques: Who is your favourite person to talk sports with?

Ans: Seba Wong

Ques: Can you remember a memorable game you’ve been involved in?

Ans: I actually have quite a few. The 2020 Western CONFED Mid-Season Finale against Reno at Jarrett Park, a Faulkland match against Downs back in 2019 and, of course, the return leg encounter between Faulkland, my old team, and Falmouth. They were all intense and required the best of your giving.

Ques: Which is your favourite venue to play at?

Ans: Jarrett Park

Ques: Is there a local referee that you fancy?

Ans: Yes Daneon Parchement out of Trelawy. Whenever he officiates in a match his presence is always felt and both teams get the same treatment.

Ques: What’s the most-used app on your phone?

Ans: WhatsApp and PUBG