Bicknell has big plans for Waterhouse stint

FORMER NATIONAL under-20 midfielder Alexander Bicknell says he is determined to use his debut season in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) to help Waterhouse win this year’s title, and also as a platform to return to professional football overseas.

Bicknell, who last played in Portugal’s second division with Leixões SC in the 2024 season, turned in a solid display on Sunday as Waterhouse opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Molynes United at Stadium East.

“I see this as a stepping stone to go back overseas, and hopefully, I can get consistent minutes and maybe go abroad again in the future,” Bicknell said after the match.

“It is a great feeling representing Waterhouse, the fans are amazing and I think we played very well. It is a great first game from us, because we kept the clean sheet and we got the win, so we really can’t ask for anything more.”

Pleased with his contribution

The midfielder, playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career, said he was pleased with his own contribution in helping Waterhouse to a winning start.

“I think I was solid. I was winning the ball quite a lot and I kept it very simple, but sometimes that’s what’s best for the team and I think it helps a lot,” he explained.

While personal goals are on his mind, Bicknell noted that the team’s ambitions come first.

“Our main goal is to win the whole competition, but the first objective is to reach the play-offs first. We will take it one step at a time and then we’ll see how it goes from there,” he said.

The Marcell Gayle-coached Waterhouse missed last year’s play-offs after finishing seventh in the league.

The 20-year-old believes the squad has the quality and togetherness to make a serious push for the title.

“I think we have an amazing squad, with a great coaching staff. The environment around the whole team is amazing, and I think we have a good chance of winning the whole thing,” Bicknell said.

“I think I can bring a bit more balance to the midfield and just show the whole community that I can do it for this team, because I am very confident and I also believe in myself a lot.”

After putting in extra work throughout the preseason, Bicknell stated that he feels well prepared to meet the demands of the league.

“I am in a really good spot right now because I am ready for the season. I have been training really hard, because I didn’t really have an off-season,” he said. “I just kept training since preseason started, and the whole team also kept training as well. So I think that we are in a good spot right now.”