Hodges uncertain on Rivoli future

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

National senior team football striker, Devon Hodges, is unsure about his future at Rivoli United, following their demotion from the Digicel Premier League on Sunday.

Hodges, who ended the season as the joint leading scorer with 18 goals, along with Waterhouse's Kevin Lamey, noted that he will be having a meeting with the club soon to discuss his tenure with the club.

"I don't think that playing in the Super League next season will get me an overseas contract, but I have to wait and see what happens when I meet with the club," Hodges said in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

He noted that a number of top Premier League teams have called him about representing them in top-flight competition next season.

"A number of Premier League teams have been inquiring about me but nothing has happened yet but hopefully something will work out as soon as possible."

While hopeful, Hodges conceded he is still under contract.

"I still have a contract with the club and I just have to wait and see because I just can't get up and leave on my own," said the 26-year-old Hodges, who had a trial stint with US Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Colorado Rapids in February.

Draw needed, still beaten

Needing a draw against Sporting Central Academy to stave off relegation in their final match of the season, the St Catherine-based Rivoli took the lead after Hodges scored a penalty. But they lost a player to a red card and were beaten 2-1 by their opponents, who finished the season one point ahead and kept their place in the league.

"I feel very disappointed that we weren't able to stay in the league, but I guess we didn't work hard enough to stay in it," said Hodges.

"I plan to work much harder next season because I need an overseas contract," he pointed out. "I have been on one trial before and I have learnt a lot from it and I just have to bring the experience from that trial into the league next season."

Hodges made his debut for Jamaica in a May 2009 friendly international against El Salvador. He scored his first international goal in his second match against Panama.

Despite netting fewer goals this season, the stockily built forward believes he still did a good job.

He added: "Scoring 18 goals this season was a good performance from me, even though I scored 25 goals the season before."