The 19-year-old London-born midfielder, in an interview with JFF Live on YouTube, described the experience of finding out he’d been called up to the squad.
“It’s something I can’t really describe honestly. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now that I’m here, it’s unbelievable,” Anderson said.
“At first, I couldn’t really believe it because I knew I was in the provisional squad but when I got the news I was just shocked. I was staring for a long time trying to take it all in and I told my mom and she started crying,” he added.
Anderson qualifies to play for the Reggae Boyz through his mother who was born in Clarendon and his grandmother who was born in Trelawny.
“I’m very busy,” was Anderson’s response to what fans can expect from his play style.
“I get around a lot and I like going forward and defending so I just try to do everything,” he said.
Anderson’s club teammate Michael Hector will also make a return to the Reggae Boyz set up after a two-year absence and he says the defender has been instrumental to his development as a player.
“It’s good because when I made the step up I knew he played for Jamaica and that was something that I looked to do so, being able to play with him, also with his experience in club football, is good. He’s a good person to look up to as well,” Anderson said.
Finally, the midfielder had nothing but good things to say about his experience with the squad, so far, as well as their chances in the upcoming games.
“Everyone’s nice. It’s a good energy around so I’m looking forward to getting involved with the games,” he said.
“When you look at the squad we have, we know we’ve got enough quality to win these games so I just want to come in and add to that and see what areas I can help in,” Anderson added.
Jamaica will first take on Grenada on Thursday before facing Haiti on Sunday.
They currently lead their CONCACAF Nations League A group with four points.
Yet the top two in England's second tier look increasingly likely to be the pair promoted to the Premier League, with third-placed Fulham suffering a damaging home defeat against Brentford.
In the first matches following the league's three-month coronavirus suspension, a new hero emerged for mid-table Derby County as 18-year-old Louie Sibley scored a hat-trick in their win at Millwall.
And Rhian Brewster, a striker on loan from Liverpool, gave Swansea City's play-off hopes a boost by netting twice at Middlesbrough, as well as making a powerful political statement.
POINT A MIXED BLESSING FOR BAGGIES
With Leeds in action at Cardiff City on Sunday, West Brom had an opportunity to go two points clear of Marcelo Bielsa's team as the league resumed.
Bilic's players dominated the derby clash and had a host of chances but could not find a breakthrough, and a stalemate at the Hawthorns potentially plays into the hands of Leeds.
The top two are now level on points, with West Brom top on goal difference, but Leeds will have the chance to go three clear before the next round of games.
BEES STING NEIGHBOURS
Said Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes scored late for Brentford in a 2-0 win at promotion rivals Fulham, a result that leaves West Brom and Leeds seven points clear with eight games remaining for the play-off pack.
Nottingham Forest were heading for victory at Sheffield Wednesday after Joe Lolley gave the visitors a 69th-minute lead, only for Connor Wickham to grab a stoppage-time leveller for the Owls.
Forest sit fifth, four points clear of a Preston North End side who were held 1-1 at Luton Town, Callum McManaman firing a late equaliser for the hosts, who nevertheless fell to the foot of the table.
KING LOUIE
Blackburn Rovers beat Bristol City 3-1 in a battle between teams fighting with Preston for sixth place, but the individual performance of the day came from Sibley, whose heroics guided Derby to their 3-2 win at Millwall.
"I'm absolutely buzzing," Sibley told Rams TV. "To get that hat-trick was just unbelievable. When the third goal went in, I couldn't stop smiling."
Brewster was not far behind, his double steering Swansea to a 3-0 victory at lowly Middlesbrough.
Brewster held up a shirt that read "our colour is not a crime" after his first goal, expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
TIGERS ON THE SLIDE
Wigan Athletic were 2-0 winners at fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town, while Hull City slipped into the bottom three after losing 1-0 at home against Charlton Athletic.
Barnsley climbed off the bottom by winning 1-0 at QPR, and Stoke City drew 1-1 at Reading.
A share purchase agreement has been signed and the two parties are now working with the EFL as they seek approval for a takeover of the League One outfit.
Charlton CEO Peter Storrie told the club’s official website: “A deal has been agreed and a share purchase agreement has been signed by Thomas Sandgaard and SE7 Partners.
“We’ll now work with SE7 Partners and the EFL to meet the league requirements, which is a process that can take some time.
“In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the club will not be impacted. Our preparation and recruitment for the 2023/24 season is well under way. We have our targets for our men’s team and our women’s team.
“Led by Dean Holden and Karen Hills, those plans continue to progress and will not be halted while we await the approval.
“The aim is to put the club in the best position to achieve our targets for next season – a top-six finish for the men’s team and further progression for the women’s team.”
Former Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven and banker Edward Warrick are listed at Companies House as directors of SE7 Partners Limited.
Charlton finished 10th in the third tier last season, 15 points adrift of the play-off places.
Alfie May’s late strike during an entertaining season finale denied Holden a winning end and he has demanded a big improvement in 2023/24.
“I don’t know how we threw that game,” Holden said. “It’s a game we should’ve won comfortably, but we conceded a cheap goal at the end.
“Having said that, we had 10 academy players on the pitch today which is encouraging.
“We have to be pushing at the top end of the table next season given the size of this club and we have to be fitter.
“We had gilt-edged chances right throughout the game and so how we didn’t win it I don’t know.
“We finished 10th in the league and so it’s been a decent second half of the season, but collectively we’ve not been good enough.
“The players have to go away in the summer and use it wisely and come back fitter than they’ve ever been.”
The Addicks led through Scott Fraser’s first-half strike, but Aidan Keena levelled for the Robins early in the second period.
Substitute Jack Payne struck with seven minutes left to restore Charlton’s advantage, but May’s 20th League One goal of the season sealed a point for the Robins.
Cheltenham boss Wade Elliott was happy after overseeing the club’s second highest-ever placing of 16th in the EFL.
“It was a good game, with two teams wanting to win it and I thought we were really good,” he said.
“I thought we deserved to win it. It’s really pleasing to see the connection between the players and fans at the end.
“The fans can see they have a really genuine, honest group. It’s been good, so make the most of it.
“We’ll enjoy the summer, take stock and we know it’ll be tough against next season. We can’t get blase about being at this level.”
The Addicks have taken 11 points from a possible 15 to move within striking distance of the League One play-offs and are unbeaten under their head coach, who was appointed last month.
Charlton had to fight back from going a goal down in the 23rd minute. The hosts were opened up by Reece Cole’s pass, with Exeter striker James Scott slipping his finish past Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Charlton levelled just before half-time through the in-form Corey Blackett-Taylor, his third goal in the last four fixtures.
Alfie May’s poacher instincts bailed out Chuks Aneke after his 65th-minute penalty was pushed onto the base of the post by Exeter keeper Viljami Sinisalo, racing into the box to hammer in from close range.
Exeter’s cause was not helped by captain Will Aimson’s dismissal for a challenge on May. Substitute Miles Leaburn then emphatically drove home Charlton’s third before May took his goal tally for the campaign to five after Blackett-Taylor once again caused City huge problems.
Appleton said: “There was a little bit of a lapse in concentration for their goal. But we keep responding, which is really, really pleasing.
“I said it in my programme notes – there was a question mark over them as a group, maybe being a bit of a soft touch. It was something I wanted to eradicate and make sure it doesn’t happen.
“When we have been asked questions over the first four games they have responded really, really well.
“We were good second half. The worry when the opposition go down to 10 men is that they are going to take an extra touch and slow it down a bit but we did the opposite and that was great to see.
“We camped for long, long periods in their last third. We can still be a bit more patient but it is very difficult for me to be critical of the team tonight because they gave me everything they had.”
Grecians boss Gary Caldwell was critical of referee David Rock over both Aimson’s dismissal and the penalty decision.
He said: “If you get the ball, how is it a red card? It’s clear he wins the ball.
“Alfie May does what clever players do – he buys the foul and rolls around to buy the red card. That’s football – I’m not having a go at him – but the ref has been conned.
“I got a reaction from my players all night – I don’t think the players got any help in the game. The gameplan was working to a tee in the first half and we had opportunities to go 2-0 up, that was frustrating.
“If the penalty for Charlton is a penalty then we have a penalty in the first half. They are identical actions and we don’t get it.
“We are not getting any big moments and tonight we didn’t get anything from decisions – it went strongly against us when you need it to go in your favour for big games.”
This marks the opening action of the newly signed “Mountain to Valley” partnership between the two clubs.
He travelled to Charlton Athletic on Friday January 12, 2024, where he will spend quality time with the South-East London club.
Campbell who attended St. James High before joining MPA at age 14, was amongst the 1st batch of students to be enrolled at Mount Pleasant Academy in September 2018.
He matriculated to the Mount Pleasant Premier League team in 2020, getting his first goal against Molynes United in the team’s 4-1 triumph. He ended the season with 2 goals including a wonder strike in a 3-1 win against Harbour View.
Campbell received his first call-up to the National Senior Reggae Boys squad in 2021 for a friendly international against Peru in Lima.
He has played 5 times for the national under 20 team and has 2 appearances for the National under 23 team.
Sporting Director, Paul Christie stated that “This will help the player to succeed at local, national and international levels. We anticipate that there will be similar experiences in the near future. This is a win/win for both clubs”
According to the South London Press, the south-east London club is “closing in on a transfer” for the “pacey 19-year-old winger,” who represents Arnett Gardens Football Club in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
Dixon’s agent, Kevin Cowan, told the local media recently that a number of clubs from Belgium, Denmark, and Portugal, as well as the US-based MLS, stated their interest in the player.
However, it is Charlton Athletic, which competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system, that is the current frontrunner.
“The expectation is that he’ll eventually transfer abroad during the summer, but we’re still evaluating the different possibilities,” Cowan said.
Should Dixon transfer to Charlton, he will join fellow Reggae Boy Karoy Anderson, a product of Charlton’s Academy, who made his international debut for Jamaica in 2023.
Ricardo Fuller, who paraded his skills from 2012–2013, and Michael Hector, who left the club in June, are the other notable Jamaican internationals that have graced the club that plays its home games at The Valley.
Dixon, who made his senior Reggae Boyz debut in Concacaf Nations League action against United States in March, tallied six goals in 13 appearances for Arnett Gardens last season. He also has two goals in eight international appearances so far.
Dixon is now Nathan Jones' eighth summer signing and will wear the number 13 jersey at the London-based club, much like he did at Clarendon College.
The talented winger, who was instrumental in Clarendon College’s two titles in last season’s ISSA schoolboys’ football competition, scoring 32 goals complemented by 17 assists, continued to make a name for himself with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Arnett Gardens before eventually breaking into the senior Reggae Boyz setup.
Dixon, 19, was first identified by Charlton Athletic through their partner, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, after which his move from Arnett Gardens, for an undisclosed fee, was then assisted by Charlton Athletic’s strong ties to the Reggae Boyz, according to a release on the club’s website.
This, as Dixon’s Reggae Boy teammate Karoy Anderson is a current member of the club, while another Reggae Boy, Michael Hector, recently left after his contract expired.
Dixon, who has two goals in eight appearances for the Reggae Boyz, expressed delight at his move.
“I’m very happy to be here. My first opportunity to go professional is to be at the Addicks. It’s been very good to see Karoy [Anderson], another teammate from my country. I can’t wait to start playing with him,” he said.
Charlton Athletic have won both League One games played so far this season against Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient and sit fourth in the table.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, where Dixon could possibly make a debut appearance.
Mount Pleasant Academy (MPA) is a charitable organization offering talented children from throughout the Caribbean fully-funded boarding school scholarships. The club has also provided two members of the current Reggae Boyz squad, as have the Addicks, in Michael Hector and Karoy Anderson.
The 'Mountain to Valley Partnership’ will provide a clear pathway for young, talented Caribbean footballers to play professionally in London, and will also allow Mount Pleasant to benefit from the knowledge, experience and expertise of Charlton's academy.
Non-Executive Director Paul Elliott CBE MBE, a Charlton academy graduate, who himself has Jamaican roots said the partnership is a strategic one that will prove beneficial to both parties.
“This long-term, strategic partnership will allow Charlton to dramatically increase the talent pool our brilliant academy is able to draw from. A lot of Charlton’s most successful homegrown players of the last 50 years have been of Jamaican origin - including many in the current team - so there is also a really good cultural fit,” Elliott said.
Mount Pleasant’s owner Peter Gould echoed similar sentiments.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a symbol of the solid partnership and mutual commitment to the development of football talent in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. This will help move regional football forward as young athletes will get an opportunity to hone their skills and develop their talents outside of the region,” Gould noted.
As Mount Pleasant continues to showcase its unique blend of Football and Academics, Sporting Director Paul Christie pointed out that the academy is already fortunate enough to attract many of the very best young players from throughout the Caribbean.
“Our belief is that this partnership with such a renowned London club will make us even more of an attractive proposition for talent. Charlton and Mount Pleasant have long-standing connections at many levels, from our respective ownerships to directors to coaching staff, so we are going to be building on firm foundations,” Christie reasoned.
Charlton’s academy was ranked eighth in England as of 2022 and long-standing Academy Director Steve Avory pointed to quality recruitment as key to a successful academy.
“Our recruitment of talented players in the immediate Charlton catchment area has been a key factor in our success and youth development over so many years. It all starts with talent ID,” Avory said.
“The Mount Pleasant partnership is an interesting, potentially fruitful, link outside of our south and east London focus and I know Bert Dawkins [Academy Recruitment Manager], who has been over to Jamaica to visit Mount Pleasant, is very positive about the possibilities with player recruitment from an emergent CONCACAF academy programme.,” he added.
As part of the various commitments underpinning the partnership, Charlton’s young players will take part in an annual youth tournament at Mount Pleasant’s campus, while the Addicks will host Mount Pleasant’s senior side in an annual pre-season charity match at The Valley.
