Ebbsfleet wideman Omari Sterling-James has recalled the time he turned down England C in favour of international football with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The 29-year-old misses this weekend’s trip to Slough in National League South as he plays in the Concacaf Nations League Group stages for his country.
It could have been a different story after he was initially called up for England C while impressing for Solihull Moors. “When I was at Moors, I was playing well and about halfway through the season I got an England C call-up,” said Sterling-James. “From then, I knew a guy who worked in the Saint Kitts set-up as well at the time and he contacted them and I got a letter calling me up for the Saint Kitts first team. “I had the choice of England C and Saint Kitts.
There’s nothing wrong with playing for England C but I wanted to play for my country, especially growing up at my grandad’s house with him and my nan, and knowing my heritage that way, it made sense.” Sterling-James featured twice for his country last summer, scoring in a 3-2 win over Aruba in June, before signing for the Fleet on his return. “I’ve been playing since I was 22 so for seven years and it’s been a good experience,” he said. “The last time we played was last summer.