Flemmings back on the rise
Published:Monday | June 10, 2024 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
AFTER ENDURING a tumultuous period upon leaving the Birmingham Legion in the USL for French Ligue 2 club Toulouse in 2022, Jamaican forward Junior Flemmings has found his feet again in the Serbian Super Liga for Vozdovac.
The 28-year-old, who was on loan with the Serbian club last season, produced his best goalscoring tally since leaving the United States, scoring 15 goals to finish fourth in the goalscoring charts.
The former Jamaica College star, however, explained that at Toulouse, he was surplus to requirements, and that after growing frustrated at his very limited playing time, requested a transfer.
An initial loan move to Chamois Niortais FC, in the French third division, did not go as planned but Flemmings found a new lease on life in Serbia, and is now looking for a more permanent move after his breakout season in Europe.
“Things didn’t go as smooth as I thought it would in terms of game time at Toulouse. When I went there it was a situation where they signed more players than expected. It was a case where they signed like 15 of us and you had up to seven or eight players per position.
“After a while, players started to terminate contracts or look to go out on loan because you were just there training and when you look around, you are fourth or fifth choice,” said Flemmings.
He recalled that when Toulouse came calling, they really convinced him they needed his services and although he had a difficult time, playing only 11 games, he had a very good return of six goals.
However, as time passed he knew he had to look elsewhere for opportunities to play more consistently.
“I knew I had to do what I had to, to get more game time and I had opportunities to play in Sweden and Norway. But the salary was a big part of my decision. In most cases they wanted me to reduce my salary and I wasn’t up for that, and so I went to Serbia on loan.”
Although he did not expect things to work as well as they did, he said playing regularly allowed him to regain his confidence and that made all the difference in the end.
“My season there was pretty good. I scored 15 goals to equal my career high, which is a big thing. The last time I scored 15 goals I was at Phoenix (Rising, in USL).
“But now I am playing against teams like Red Star Belgrade and Partizan (Belgrade), teams that play in the Champions League, and scoring against them. So it was a very good season.
“It had also been a while since I scored in back-to-back games. But you know when you are in your game, you don’t even have to think about beating a player or when to shoot to goal. And I started to feel that confidence again.
“And I have my speed, so sometimes I don’t do much more than push it past the defenders and score.
“But it is just the confidence that I have been playing with in the last part of the season. I know I can just beat a man and score, and I started to feel that again. And when a player has confidence, he feels like he can do anything,” he said.
Flemmings said a deal is currently in the pipeline for him to continue his career in Europe and he will be making an announcement on his future very soon.
He is also pleased with the progress the Reggae Boyz are making under Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, and though he wants to be a part of the 2026 qualification campaign at some point, he insists it will be a decision for the coach, but that he will continue to put in the performances to merit a selection.
“I am looking for big things to happen this summer, but I will leave that until it is confirmed. But I am happy with the standard that I am at.
“The plan is to stay in Europe, whether I have to find a new team, whether I have to get a transfer or a loan. So, for me, I will be staying in Europe and the next few weeks will be interesting,” he said.
“I normally make my football do the talking. Whenever I was included in the national, I was always showing great form whenever I was playing. And when I am in the national team, I am always that utility player who plays anywhere and gives support to my teammates on the pitch.
“But I want to say congratulations to the Jamaica team. I saw the (first World Cup qualifying) game. It was a good win.
“I have been keeping up with what has been happening. I think they are doing well, and I am happy with how things are going, and I wish the team all the luck and success.”