Boca Chica, Dominican Republic — There is the age-old debate as to whether leaders are born or made. In Oneil ‘Bigga’ Thompson, Arnett Gardens have a captain who is basically the coach on the field. He is the undisputed leader.

The former Reggae Boy, who turns 33 years old in August, has led Arnett Gardens to the Red Stripe Premier League ending a 13-year drought in 2015, now he is on another mission, this time leading the ‘Junglists’ in pursuit of Caribbean Football Union Club Championship honour.

“It’s all about how you lead people and people are tempted to sometimes adopt bad principles and for me it’s zero tolerance where the bad principles are regardless of who the persons are,” said Thompson.

“Before Arnett has had good leaders but I think where partiality comes in was one of the main factors because they choose whom they tell the truth,” he noted.

“In my case and my leadership there is no boundary for the truth and that’s the key. You also have to accept when you are wrong and I think with my team I make sure everything is done and when people come around they tend to adapt to that principle,” he explained.

Thompson showed his early leadership qualities leading Bridgeport High to their first Manning Cup title 2001, then helped Boys’ Town gain promotion to the Premier League after years in the doldrums playing Kingston and St Andrew Football Association Super League football.

“Everything I do it comes natural and these are things I try to pass on to younger people. Sometimes it’s hard because they tend to follow the wrongs than the rights. But just as how you can adopt the wrong principle you can also adopt the right principle. For me that’s the kind of challenge I have,” explained Thompson.

Thompson, who made his international debut for Jamaica against the United States of America in 2006, is mostly remembered for his courageous act when he played with a broken jaw against Honduras after suffering the injury a few days earlier when he collided with teammate Ricardo Gardner in a World Cup qualifier in 2008 against Mexico.

Thompson, who has vast international exposure playing at Norwegian side Notodden FK in 2007 before joining English side Barnsley FC, then onto Burton Albion in 2010. He also played at Hereford United before returning to local football at Boys’ Town in 2011.

He joined Arnett Gardens in 2014 and has won over the fans, many of whom are very hard to please.

“They are very hard to accept people based on their winning mentality they have developed over a period of time with the Walter (Boyd) and the Wilson (Kevin). But the truth is when I perform I always give my all,” he reiterated.

“For us to bring back the glory but not just winning, but also giving them that sort of excitement that was missing for a number of years, I think they are very pleased,” he noted.

Thompson was named 2015 Player of the Season and also given the acclaimed Tony Burrowes Award for outstanding conduct on and off the field.

— Howard Walker