TUCKER, St James — Leonardo Fogarthy does not remember much about his father Anthony who died of cancer 15 years ago when his son was just three years old, but not a day goes by without someone reminding him of the legacy he has to carry on.

Anthony Fogarthy was a charismatic player and prolific scorer for Rusea’s High, playing on several winning teams, and almost not a day goes by without someone reminding 18-year-old Leonardo of the big boots that he has to fill.

“Yes, my name has a lot of good memories at Rusea’s and it carries a lot of pressures with it,” he admitted to the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday as the team enjoyed a fun day at WesPow Park in Tucker, St James.

The pressure is not a burden, he pointed out.

“It makes me work harder knowing what I have to live up to… everyone is expecting me to do the same as my father,” noted Fogarthy.

He has had a good season for Rusea’s High, helping them to the final of the ISSA/Flow daCosta Cup against Clarendon College today and the semi-finals of the Ben Francis KO as well, with some timely goals.

“Most of what I know is what family tells me… and people always talk about him (his father) so I know a lot,” the striker said.

The young Fogarthy’s late father played club football for Violet Kickers, Seba United and had a semi-professional stint in the Cayman Islands, and also spent a summer on trial with Leeds in England.

Fogarthy started this schoolboy season on a high, scoring in almost every game before he cooled off. But he has regained his scoring form of late, and with Daniel Reid, has formed one of the best goalscoring partnerships.

“Getting important goals is what I bring to the team… how we finish is important (as) all goals are important, but those late in the season are more vital and help you win titles,” he said.

— Paul Reid