This week Jerol Forbes is under the microscope on Warriors Reloaded.
Well, you may just find him in his bedroom. Don’t get any ideas. He’s most likely just taking a nap.
The newly signed San Juan Jabloteh forward always makes sure he gets those essential shut-eyes whenever he can.
“I try to get as much rest as possible, because my job requires me to go out on the field,” Forbes said.
When he’s not catching up on sleep, you can find him in the kitchen—not eating but cooking—well kinda.
“I’m now learning to cook. My girlfriend is a chef so she’s teaching me,” Forbes explains with a laugh. “I would look on when she’s preparing her dishes. My favourite food is crab and dumpling.”
Raw talent
Why did Forbes choose to pursue football? Well, it can be said that football chose him.
The 24-year-old Santa Flora native was introduced to the game at a very young age. Although he was an all-rounder, playing cricket and engaging in athletics, it was his fancy footwork on the football field that caught the attention of his parents, teachers and coaches.
“My cousins used to play for the national team and I used to watch them play. I played football for St Christopher’s Anglican Primary School. When I started to play with the Palo Seco Football Academy, I scored a lot of goals and realised that I was really good.
“My coach also saw my talent and nurtured me.”
While attending Naparima College, Forbes was named MVP for three consecutive years in the Secondary School Football League.
With an impressive string of accomplishments already under his belt, Forbes presses on.
He has represented T&T in the Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 national football teams.
Forbes was also the scorer of T&T’s lone goal in a 6-1 defeat to Brazil at the Fifa Under-17 World Championship in 2001.
Family matters
The last of three boys, Forbes says family is very important.
“Growing up I had people around me who were well-educated. My parents, grand mother and aunts always took an interest in developing me.
“We are a very close family. My brothers and I are very competitive, but we’re very close.”
Future plans
The Mt Hope resident is on a mission to succeed. He hopes to make his family proud on the national as well as international stage.
“I would like to get a professional contract abroad. I also hope to help my country qualify the 2010 World Cup,” he shares.
“But, after football there is life. You always have to be academically prepared. You always have to have a back-up plan.”
If he was not pursuing football, Forbes would probably be studying mechanical engineering because his brother is studying that abroad.
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