“Feels like home” – Golden Jags debutant keen on making an impact

By Jemima Holmes

Born to Guyanese parents in the Netherlands, Enoch George has always had a passion for football. For much of his 21 years, George has either played the sport for leisure or been a part of academies and clubs.
Now, the forward who competes for FC Lisse in the Netherlands has taken a major step in his international career, opting to suit up for Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars.
After a training stint in Guyana in October, George has been named in the team’s 23-man squad for their CONCACAF play-ins against Barbados.
During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, George spoke of his experience being back in Guyana for a second time.

“The first time that I came here I was like three years old. So, I had a chance now, like a new experience, so, coming back to the place where my parents were born and raised, it feels good because I live in the Netherlands and there’re not a lot of Guyanese people there, to come in a place whereby there’s a lot of Guyanese people, the culture and that kind of stuff, it feels really great,” George told this publication.
The forward then went into detail about his football career which began at the tender age of five, as he cultivated a passion for the sport.
“At the age of 12/13, being seen by pro-academies, clubs and they invited me for trials to come, so at 13/14 years old, I grow into the professional academies. From there on, my journey started, I went there for three seasons, then I went to a Third-Division club when I was 18, then again I went to a pro- academy club for the Under 21s, then this season I joined a Third-Division club again,” George related.
The forward added, “I think I just love the game, since I was small. Of course, the Netherlands is a soccer country. It’s just something that you love to do, you feel free when you come on the pitch, your mind, it just empties. Yeah, just love it.”
During his time with the Guyanese national team, George identified some welcomed differences, highlighting that the camp felt like home.
The Netherlands-based player explained, “That – the way of playing, the system, how they play, the way they speak and coach – is a little bit different than in Holland, but I mean soccer is soccer. It’s been great, it’s a good level here, even with the overseas players and the local players.”
“The Guyana team, it’s a family I’ve seen. They talk with each other, how they spend time with each other like brothers. So, it feels really great to be in the group. It just feels like home,” George went on to express.
The 21-year-old is poised to experience his first international camp soon, holding high hopes for his career with the Golden Jaguars.
“I hope really to play for Guyana, to score goals, to win matches and to make Guyana and the fans proud. Even the teammates as well. So, my impact that I want to bring to this team is just to bring them to a higher level,” George said.
The Golden Jaguars will take on Barbados tomorrow at the Barbados Football Federation Technical Centre, St Michael from 19:00h.
The teams will then head to Guyana for the return game at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), West Coast Demerara (WCD) next Tuesday, for kick-off at the same time.