Former Manning Cup star Nicholas Nelson has picked up where he left off on the schoolboy football scene by topping the goalscoring charts in the Kingston and St Andrew Business House Division One football competition for 2017-2018.

Once a leading marksman for Hydel High, Nelson has carried that over to his team Metrodade Security in a league that boasts some of the top strikers in the country, including Elton Thompson of premier league campaigners Tivoli Gardens FC.

Nelson, who has played in the premier league for Rivoli United and Waterhouse FC, ended the business house season with eight goals from as many games on the way to claiming the Golden Boot. It was the only honour that his team received at the Kingston and St Andrew Business House Football Competition awards ceremony, held at the Red Stripe Sports Club on Tuesday.

“Playing in the business house [tournament] gave me a lot of confidence to play anywhere in the world, because I am playing with players who are older than me and teaching me the right things and helping me to focus on my dream to play overseas,” he explained.

The main aim every time he participates in a football tournament is always the same, Nelson disclosed.

“They push me a lot because they see my potential, so when I go to training I put in the hard work and it pays off in the matches. My aim is to get leading goalscorer in every tournament I play.”

He enjoys support from those close to him who help to keep him both motivated and grounded at the same time.

“My motivation comes from my brother Jeremy Nelson, Raymond Williams and my Manager Mr Edward Cornwall. He [Cornwall] is a father figure to me; he pushes me a lot. He made me play in my first premier league game when we were both at Rivoli, when I was just 16 years old. Then I went to Waterhouse and Marverley and he managed me at those clubs as well.”

Nelson is currently playing for Molynes United in the KSAFA Super League competition and has scored three goals so far, but still has an eye on playing overseas. In fact, he returned to the island recently after a short trial in the United States.

“I was on trial in Florida last month. A scout from Sweden saw me playing in a futsal tournament for a Brazilian team and suggested getting me to Sweden. There are also other opportunities I am looking at in Colombia and Mexico. My agent is looking into those opportunities right now.

“My goal right now is to be a professional football player overseas,” the 19-year-old stated after revealing that the Swedish scout was pleased with both his height and fitness.

—Dwayne Richards