Mariappa makes move to Wealdstone

LONDON (CMC):

WEALDSTONE MANAGER Matt Taylor said he expects former Jamaica defender Adrian Mariappa to play an important role in defence for the club during the coming English National League season.

The Stones, as the club is known, signed the 37-year-old former Watford, Crystal Palace, and Jamaica defender after he left English League 2 club, Salford City last month.

Taylor hailed the pedigree of Mariappa, who has played more than 500 club matches in a 19-year career in which he has also played for Reading, Bristol City, and Burton Albion, and featured more than 60 times for the Reggae Boyz, as the Jamaica men’s national team is known, featuring in the Concacaf Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

“Adrian has a fantastic pedigree and for us to secure his signature is a huge bonus for the football club,” Taylor said in a comment on the Wealdstone website.

“He will be a big character within the squad, and his leadership skills will be vital for the upcoming season.”

Mariappa began his professional career at Watford, where he graduated from the club’s academy, and made his senior debut in 2005.

He quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile defender and made nearly 250 appearances for the Hornets over the course of seven years, becoming a fan favourite.

Mariappa signed in 2012 with English Premier League side Reading, where he continued to impress despite the club’s eventual relegation, and his performances caught the eye of Crystal Palace, leading to a move to Selhurst Park the following year.

At Palace, Mariappa was a crucial part of the squad, helping the team to maintain their Premier League status over several seasons. He made 167 appearances in the EPL across his career.

After a brief return to Watford in 2016, Mariappa continued to demonstrate his unwavering consistency and leadership on the pitch, and in his second stint at Vicarage Road, he added another 97 appearances to his name, underscoring his importance to the team.

Following his time at Watford, Mariappa joined Bristol City and Burton Albion, before moving to Salford City, where his experience continued to shine in League 2.