Marine's Harvey gets World Cup call

Premier Division side Marine have confirmed that striker Neil Harvey to join the Barbados national squad for four crucial World Cup qualifying games in October and November.

Harvey is set to join his new teammates on 2nd October and will return to Marine on 13th during which time Barbados will have played Guyana at home and Trinidad and Tobago away in two of the four qualifying games.

Another 10 day period away from Marine in November sees Harvey named in the squads for two further qualifying games against Bermuda home and away.

Harvey, 27, a contract player with Marine, made a goal scoring debut for Barbados in a 2007 Caribbean Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago and has since played three further internationals including against Dominica in February 2008 during the last World Cup qualifying tournament.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said, “This is great recognition for Neil by his national football association. He is the best striker that we have had at Marine for nearly 20 years and is absolute quality.

"Neil leads by example and is a credit to his profession. Everyone at Marine wishes him and his country every success in these important qualifying games for Barbados.”

Manager Kevin Lynch said, “This is thoroughly deserved. Neil’s goal scoring record and ratio of goals to appearances over a number of seasons is excellent. I hope that he is selected to play in these games and if that is the case I am sure that Neil will do well, score a goal or two and help his national team to qualify for the World Cup finals.”

Speaking to the Evo-Stik NPL website, Harvey said, "I would like to thank the management at Marine for allowing me to go on international duty. It must have been a difficult decision due to the games I will be missing and it is greatly appreciated.

"It is a real honour to represent your country, especially in World Cup qualifiers. I hope this experience will allow me to enhance my personal game and in turn help Marine.
I will miss the boys and the fans and will be looking out for the results while I am away. I hope the boys keep me out of the team for all good reasons on my return."

The 28-year old will join professional players such as Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic), Jonathan Forte (Southampton) and Jon Nurse (Dagenham and Redbridge) in the national team, nicknamed "The Bajan Pride."

Harvey is the third Evo-Stik NPL player to receive an international call-up this season. Marc Joseph of Kendal Town played for Antigua and Barbuda in the last round of World Cup qualifiers, while David Cyrus was invited to play for Greneda, but rejected the call-up due to his commitments at Frickley Athletic.