Sam O’Sullivan paid a huge compliment to his team mate JAMIE MORALEE when he called his fellow striker “the non-league Teddy Sheringham”. It was a reference to the intelligent runs and link-up play by Jamie which is appreciated by his colleagues and may not always be so obvious to spectators.
But then it is not surprising that 32 year-old Jamie has learned so much over the years when you look at the quality of those he has partnered in attack. A south London boy, he started with his local club Crystal Palace whose attack was led by the likes of Ian Wright and Mark Bright when Jamie was beginning his professional career.
He signed first schoolboy, then apprentice and professional forms and played in the first team in the top flight before Mick McCarthy snapped him up for Millwall. Jamie figured regularly in the Lions team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership in successive seasons between 1992 and 1994 before moving to Watford under the stewardship of first Glenn Roeder and then Graham Taylor.
He said: “I had two great years in Division One with Millwall playing alongside the likes of Malcolm Allen and Clive Allen, and then at Watford, Kevin Phillips was my strike partner.”
Further moves followed to Crewe under Dario Gradi, where team mates included Celtic’s Neil Lennon, Liverpool’s Danny Murphy and
Robbie Savage, now of Birmingham City, and then he was signed by Micky Adams at Brighton before his last league club which was Colchester.
Jamie left league football in the summer of 2000 when an old Palace colleague Peter Nicholas attracted him to the then full-time set-up at Barry. This took him to venues which may have provided a culture shock for the Wandsworth-born forward.
He said: “I consider myself fortunate to have made a living from playing football because it is something I have always enjoyed doing. I had a good time at Barry, there was a great team spirit, and while we played in some places where the setting was not the best, I still loved the football.”
When the Barry situation fell apart last summer Jamie signed for Forest Green Rovers, where for the first time he did not feel comfortable.
He said: “It was my first time in a semi-professional football set-up and I didn’t enjoy it, but when I came to Newport, at first on loan, I was immediately happy.
“This has been a bit of a stop-start season for me and I am not yet as fit as I would like to be. There is no doubt though that playing football is a great way of living, and I have enjoyed it whether it was at Crystal Palace in the top division or in the Dr Martens League here with Newport.
“I knew a few players here when I came and I have settled in well and have been made to feel welcome. Everyone at the club is happy and we must all aim to finish in the top thirteen.
“Each game now is really a build-up for next season when, with a good pre-season, we can build on what we are achieving.”
Jamie has recently returned to familiar territory and lives with his wife Lisa in Godstone, Surrey, where he is trying to establish himself in business with some former playing colleagues.
He said: “We are setting up a property consultancy to help footballers invest their income wisely. I am meeting with bank managers, financial advisers and PR people. There is a lot going on behind the scenes.
“The travelling to Newport doesn’t bother me one bit because some people commute longer distances every day, and I feel I have a few more years left at this sort of level.”
Jamie also has words of encouragement for young forwards like John Phillips and Sam O’Sullivan who can learn plenty from his experience.
“John and Sam are both good lads and they have the potential to have good futures in the game. We have the right coaching staff at the club and if they continue to listen and learn from Peter and Glyn, and steer clear of injuries they should both do well.”
Both are also fortunate to have such an experienced and talented forward to learn from.