Junior Flemmings

Junior Flemmings

Flemmings with the New York Red Bulls II in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Junior Flemmings [1]
Date of birth	(1996-01-16) 16 January 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	Kingston, Jamaica
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) [2]
Position(s)	Winger, forward
Team information
Current team	Ajman
Number	7
Youth career
2011	Valencia [3]
	Tivoli Gardens
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2016	Tivoli Gardens	25	(10)
2016–2017	New York Red Bulls II	52	(16)
2018	Tampa Bay Rowdies	26	(6)
2019–2020	Phoenix Rising	43	(29)
2021	Birmingham Legion	21	(6)
2022–2024	Toulouse B	7	(5)
2022–2024	Toulouse	3	(0)
2023	→ Niort (loan)	8	(1)
2023–2024	→ Voždovac (loan)	28	(12)
2024–	Ajman	0	(0)
International career‡
2013–2014	Jamaica U17	9	(4)
2015	Jamaica U20	6	(2)
2017–	Jamaica	26	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 June 2022

Junior Flemmings (born 16 January 1996) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a winger and forward for Ajman and the Jamaica national team.

Club career

Early career

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Flemmings began his career in the youth ranks of Tivoli Gardens.^{[ citation needed ]}

Tivoli Gardens

In 2013, he made his debut for the first team in the National Premier League. ^[4] He was unpaid during the 2013 season with Tivoli Gardens to ensure that he wouldn't ruin his chances of playing collegiate soccer in the United States. ^[5] During the 2015–2016 season Flemmings led Tivoli Gardens in scoring with eight goals, including a late game winner on 23 November 2015 which helped his club to a 2–1 victory over Boys' Town FC. ^[6]

New York Red Bulls II

After months of speculation, ^[7] Flemmings signed with New York Red Bulls II of the United Soccer League on 25 March 2016. ^[8] On 2 April 2016, during his first appearance, Flemmings recorded his first goal and assist with the club in a 2–0 victory against Louisville City. ^[9] On 22 May 2016, Flemmings scored a late match winner helping New York to a 1–0 victory against FC Montreal. ^[10] On 12 August 2016, Flemmings helped New York to a 5–1 victory over Orlando City B, scoring one goal and being a constant threat throughout the match. ^[11]

On 14 April 2017, Flemmings scored his first goal of the season for New York, helping the club to a 3–1 victory over Orlando City B. ^[12] On 19 August 2017, Flemming scored two goals to help New York to a 4–0 victory over FC Cincinnati. ^[13] On 2 September 2017, Flemmings scored one goal and assisted on another in New York's 4–2 victory over Tampa Bay Rowdies. ^[14]

Tampa Bay Rowdies

In January 2018, Flemmings signed with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL. ^[15]

Phoenix Rising

Flemmings signed with Phoenix Rising in 2019. ^[16] He netted sixteen goals and seven assists in his first season with the team, and finished eighth in the league for the Golden Boot, finishing behind teammate and Golden Boot winner Solomon Asante (22 goals). ^[17]

Flemmings' second season with Phoenix resulted in a Golden Boot Award, scoring 14 goals in a COVID-shortened season. ^[18] Phoenix was propelled to a first place finish in Group B. ^[19]

Homophobia controversy

On 30 September 2020, while playing for the Phoenix Rising, Flemmings was accused of using a Jamaican homophobic slur, "batty boy", against the openly gay San Diego Loyal midfielder Collin Martin. ^{[20] [21]} The Loyal, who had been leading 3–1 up to that point, walked off the field in protest and forfeited the match. ^{[20] [21]} Flemmings denied using the slur and said, in a Twitter statement following the match, that he stands "in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement". ^{[22] [20] [23] [24]} It was the last time that Flemmings took the pitch for Phoenix Rising. The USL Championship suspended him six games for using "foul and abusive language" and fined him an undisclosed amount. In addition, Phoenix Rising team officials placed Flemmings on administrative leave for the remainder of his contract with the team, which concluded on 30 November 2020. ^[25] Flemmings' contract with the team was not renewed. ^[26]

The incident ultimately cost Rising a chance to host the USL Championship Final. Rising and Louisville City FC both finished with 35 points and 11 wins, but Rising had a higher goal differential and would have thus had home-field advantage had it reached the final. However, Rising was only in contention to host the final as a result of the three points it earned by forfeit. Due to the ensuing outcry, Rising announced that if it reached the final, whoever won the Eastern Conference final would have home-field advantage in the Championship Final. ^[27] They were set to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Tampa Bay in that game, but it was canceled due to a COVID outbreak in the Rowdies organization. ^[28]

Birmingham Legion

On 13 January 2021, Flemmings joined USL Championship side Birmingham Legion. ^[29]

In the announcement of Flemmings joining Legion, team officials noted his history with homophobia at Phoenix Rising, but said they believe that "second chances provide opportunities for growth." Team officials also said they had "extensive conversations" with Flemmings' former coaches and teammates, in addition to Martin and Donovan for their perspective on the team signing Flemmings. Flemmings also apologized for the incident in the statement. ^[29]

Toulouse

On 5 January 2022, Flemmings was transferred to Ligue 2 side Toulouse. ^[30] Toulouse was promoted to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2021–22 season, but Flemmings did not make any appearances in the top tier during the first half of the 2022–23 season.

Loan to Niort

On 31 January 2023, Flemmings was loaned to Niort in Ligue 2 until the end of the 2022–23 season. ^[31]

International career

Flemmings has represented Jamaica at the U-20 and U-17 national team level, serving as captain of the U-17's. ^[32]

He received his first full national team call up in November 2015, and was named to the 18-player match roster for Jamaica's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Panama, but was an unused substitute. Flemmings made his senior international debut versus French Guiana in the 2017 Caribbean Cup. ^[33] Flemmings' scored the match-winning goal against Guadalupe in Jamaica's second group stage match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup thus qualifying them for the quarterfinals.^{[ citation needed ]}

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 14 May 2022

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	Division	League		National cup		League cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
New York Red Bulls II	2016	USL Championship	23	7	0	0	0	0	—		23	7
	2017	USL Championship	29	9	0	0	3	1	—		32	10
	Total		52	16	0	0	3	1	—		55	17
Tampa Bay Rowdies	2018	USL Championship	26	6	1	0	0	0	—		27	6
Phoenix Rising	2019	USL Championship	28	15	1	1	2	1	—		31	17
	2020	USL Championship	15	14	—		0	0	—		15	14
	Total		43	29	1	1	2	1	—		46	31
Birmingham Legion	2021	USL Championship	21	6	—		0	0	—		21	6
Toulouse B	2021–22	Championnat National 3	6	5	—		—		—		6	5
Toulouse	2021–22	Ligue 2	3	0	0	0	—		—		3	0
Career total			151	62	2	1	5	2	0	0	158	65

International

Scores and results list Jamaica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Flemmings goal. ^[34]

List of international goals scored by Junior Flemmings

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	15 October 2019	Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao	Aruba	5–0	6–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B
2	16 July 2021	Exploria Stadium, Orlando, United States	Guadeloupe	2–1	2–1	2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup
3	4 June 2022	Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname	Suriname	1–0	1–1	2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A

Honors

New York Red Bulls II

• USL Cup: 2016 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• USL Regular Season: 2016 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Phoenix Rising

• USL Championship Regular Season: 2019 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Western Conference
  • Winners (Regular Season): 2019 ^{[ citation needed ]}
  • Winners (Playoffs): 2020 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Jamaica

• Caribbean Cup runner-up: 2017 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Toulouse

• Ligue 2: 2021–22 ^[35]

Individual

• RSPL Young Player of the Season: 2015–16^{[ citation needed ]}
• USL Championship Golden Boot Winner: 2020^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "Jamaica's 40 player provisional list to Copa Centenario". Jamaica Football Federation. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
2. "Junior Flemmings". Toulouse FC. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
3. "Next Generation Football Camp Gets $3-m Boost". hvfc.net. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
4. "Junior Flemmings to get Opportunity in RSPL". jamaicafootballfederation.com. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
5. Jones, Ryon (21 January 2013). "Flemming Plays It Safe – JC Manning Captain Avoids Salary, Signing With TG To Keep US Scholarship Option Open". The Gleaner. Jamaica. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
6. "Flemmings late strike carries Tivoli past Boys' Town". jamaicaobserver.com. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
7. Fido, Austin (26 November 2015). "Report: Junior Flemmings says he will join New York Red Bulls in January". Once A Metro. SB Nation . Retrieved 2 April 2016.
8. "New York Red Bulls II sign Junior Flemmings". NewYorkRedBulls.com. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
9. "Red Bulls II Take Impressive Win in Louisville". uslsoccer.com. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
10. "USL MATCH RECAP: Red Bulls II Maintain Road Perfection with 1–0 win at FC Montreal". newyorkredbulls.com.
11. "USL Match Recap: NYRB II Downs Orlando City B, 5–1". newyorkredbulls.com.
12. "OCB Falls 3–1 at New York Red Bulls II". orlandocitysc.com. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
13. "Red Bulls II Romp Past FC Cincinnati". uslsoccer.com. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
14. "NYRB II Tally Four Again, Defeat Tampa Bay". uslsoccer.com. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
15. "Rowdies Strengthen their Attack with Signing of Junior Flemmings". rowdiessoccer.com. Tampa Bay Rowdies. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
16. "Return of Junior Flemmings, Kevon Lambert bolster Phoenix Rising FC for second half". azcentral.com. AZ Central. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
17. "2019 Golden Boot". United Soccer League. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
18. "Player Stats".
19. "2020 Group Standings". USL Champship. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
20. Estrada, Lorenzino (30 September 2020). "San Diego players walk off field in protest against Phoenix Rising FC, claim homophobic slur used". Arizona Republic. azcentral. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
21. Zeigler, Mark (30 September 2020). "San Diego Loyal walks off field after alleged homophobic slur". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
22. Flemmings, Junior (30 September 2020). "Statement". Twitter. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
23. "'Devastating' Homophobic Slur Leads SD Loyal to Walk Off Field in Final Match". Times of San Diego. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
24. "Soccer team forfeits match after alleged anti-gay slur". cbsnews.com. CBS. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
25. "Rising Statement on Findings of USL Investigation". Phoenix Rising FC . 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
26. James, Aaron Bradley (13 November 2020). "Phoenix Rising re-sign eight starters, Junior Flemmings not among them". Cronkite News . KAET/Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication . Retrieved 2 January 2021.
27. Reichard, Kevin (21 October 2020). "Phoenix Rising won't host USL Championship title game". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
28. USLChampionship com Staff (31 October 2020). "USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners". USL Championship. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
29. Humphries, Clayton (12 January 2021). "Legion FC Signs Forward Junior Flemmings". Birmingham Legion FC. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
30. Humphries, Clayton. "LEGION FC AGREES TO TRANSFER FORWARD JUNIOR FLEMMINGS TO FRENCH SIDE TOULOUSE FC". BHMLegion.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
31. "JUNIOR FLEMMINGS NOUVEAU CHAMOIS !". Chamois Niortais Fc (in French). Chamois Niortais F.C. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
32. "Junior Flemmings profile". jamaicafootballfederation.com. Jamaica Football Federation. 15 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
33. "Jamaica outlasts French Guiana on PKs, advances to Caribbean final". concacaf.com. Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.
34. "Junior Flemmings". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
35. "Le Toulouse Football Club est champion de Ligue 2 BKT" [Toulouse Football Club is Ligue 2 BKT champion] (in French). Toulouse FC. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.

External links

• Junior Flemmings at Soccerway
• jamaicafootballfederation.com
• Junior Flemmings – French league stats at Ligue 1 – also available in French