Tivoli Gardens' Jerry Walters (right) stretches his leg to play the ball as he vies for possession with Arnett Gardens' Kevin King (left), during their Digicel Premier League football match at Arnett Gardens on Wednesday. The game ended 1-1. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
NOT so long ago, it was unheard of for an Arnett Gardens player to leave for Tivoli Gardens or vice-versa.
That was hallowed ground in local football circles as Tivoli and Arnett Gardens players never moved between either club - all in the name of partisan politics, which still divide Kingston and St Andrew into 'Labourite' and 'PNP' areas.
Strange enough, these players were all friends, in most cases, but moving between teams would never be blessed by fans and other 'influential' persons from within these communities, which later came to be known as 'garrisons'.
In fact, these teams, Tivoli and Waterhouse being other examples, never played each other at their respective home grounds for a long time. Finals between them at times took place without spectators and under the watchful eyes of soldiers at the Jamaica Defence Force field at Up Park Camp.
However, that mould has been smashed as players from any of the three affected teams now traverse the football landscape without fear of being sent for as was the case, even if they dared to leave for a 'neutral' team.
political barrier
The move started with a 'Bring back the Love' initiative, which first saw Tivoli Gardens playing Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex more than four years ago, but it took longer for the players to actually cross the divide.
Jerry Walters, an Arnett Gardens resident and former player, who now represents Tivoli Gardens in the Digicel Premier League, this season joined the growing ranks of footballers to hurdle the political barrier which stigmatised Corporate Area inner-city teams for decades.
Walters, a six-foot plus player known as 'Thicka', rose through the ranks at Arnett Gardens over seven seasons, representing the Junglists at the Under-20 to Under-21 levels before breaking into the senior team, playing as a central defender.
However, because he was not getting enough playing time and watching other teammates move from Arnett's bench into starting roles in other teams, Walters decided it was time for him to make the move and he chose Tivoli.
"It wasn't a tough decision for me," he told The Gleaner after Tivoli's 1-1 draw with Arnett on Wednesday at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
"You have to make moves in life. I wasn't a regular starter and since I've been at Tivoli I've started in every game as long as I am eligible and fit," he said.
"I work hard to be out there and when I come to Arnett, nobody has anything against me. Spectators will talk but nobody shows me any bad face," he added.
Walters' move was not only from one rival club to another. He has since transformed his game from an almost robotic defender to being a midfielder, a role he relishes.
"I've wanted to play that position for a long time," he beamed. "To the coaches at Arnett, there were more experienced players than me around but I knew I could do it and I am enjoying it," he added.