Omari Sterling-James

Omari Sterling-James

Personal information
Full name	Omari Shaquil Jabari Sterling-James [1]
Date of birth	(1993-09-15) 15 September 1993 (age 31) [2]
Place of birth	Birmingham, [2] England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.77 m) [2]
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Alvechurch
Youth career
	Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2013	Alvechurch	33	(13)
2013–2014	Redditch United	?	(13)
2014–2016	Cheltenham Town	22	(1)
2015	→ Oxford City (loan)	17	(1)
2016	→ Gloucester City (loan)	14	(2)
2016–2017	Solihull Moors	42	(9)
2017–2020	Mansfield Town	14	(0)
2018	→ Solihull Moors (loan)	8	(1)
2019	→ Brackley Town (loan)	9	(0)
2020	→ Kettering Town (loan)	3	(1)
2020–2022	Kidderminster Harriers	56	(13)
2022–2024	Ebbsfleet United	59	(2)
2024–	Alvechurch	4	(1)
International career‡
2017–	Saint Kitts and Nevis	30	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:01, 3 September 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:31, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Omari Shaquil Jabari Sterling-James (born 15 September 1993) is a footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Southern League Premier Division Central club Alvechurch and the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.

He previously played in the Football League for Cheltenham Town and Mansfield Town, and in non-League football for Alvechurch, Redditch United, Oxford City, Gloucester City, Solihull Moors, Brackley Town and Kettering Town and in 2021 he signed for Ebbsfleet United. Born in England, Sterling-James plays international football for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Career

Sterling-James began his career with Birmingham City, and was released in the 2012 summer. Shortly after he moved to Midland Football Alliance club Alvechurch, and scored 11 goals in his first season.^{[ citation needed ]}

In September 2013 Sterling-James moved to Redditch United of the Southern League. ^[3] He appeared regularly with the side, also scoring 13 goals during the whole campaign. ^[4]

During a trial with League Two club Cheltenham Town, Sterling-James impressed in the pre-season friendlies and on 21 July 2014, he signed a six-month deal. ^[5]

He made his professional debut on 12 August in the League Cup, as a late substitute in a 2–0 loss away to Brighton & Hove Albion. ^{[6] [7]} In December, he signed an extended deal to run until June 2016. ^[7] He made 22 league appearances, scoring once, in Cheltenham's 2014–15 season, at the end of which the team were relegated to the National League. ^{[8] [9]}

Sterling-James spent the first half of the following season on loan at Oxford City of the National League South. In December 2015, Cheltenham confirmed that he was one of seven players whose contracts would not be renewed. ^{[10] [11]} On his return to his parent club, he made one appearance, in the FA Trophy, ^[2] before joining National League North club Gloucester City on 4 February 2016 on loan until the end of the season. ^[12]

Sterling-James signed for Solihull Moors, newly promoted to the National League, in July 2016.^{[ citation needed ]} He scored, and was named man of the match, on his debut in a 3–1 victory over Sutton United. ^{[13] [14]} At the end of December he signed a new contract, ^[15] and he finished the season with 9 goals from 46 appearances. ^[2]

Although Moors wanted to keep Sterling-James at the club, he was determined to return to the Football League, and he signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on a free transfer. ^{[16] [17]} By mid-January 2018, he had failed to score in twenty appearances, only two of which were league starts, ^[2] and he rejoined Solihull Moors on 22 March on loan until the end of the season. ^[18] He played in three more Mansfield matches before a proposed loan move to Boston United fell through and he finished the 2018–19 season on loan to Brackley Town of the National League South, where he played little. ^{[19] [2]} On his return to Mansfield he again struggled for game time, joined Kettering Town on loan shortly before the National League was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ^{[20] [21]} and was released when his contract expired. ^[22]

Sterling-James signed for Kidderminster Harriers in September 2020, ^[23] He played in all but one of their National League North matches before the season was ended early because of COVID-19. ^[2] He was a regular in Kidderminster's side in 2021–22, and contributed to their FA Cup run: entering at the second qualifying round, they beat Championship team Reading to reach the fourth round, in which they led Premier League team West Ham United until stoppage time before losing in extra time. ^{[2] [24]}

In June 2022, Sterling-James joined National League South club Ebbsfleet United. ^[25] During his first season at the club, they were promoted to the National League as champions. ^[26] He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[27]

In July 2024, Sterling-James returned to his first senior club, Southern League Premier Division Central club Alvechurch. ^[28]

International career

Sterling-James received his first international call-up to the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team for friendly against Armenia and Georgia on 4 and 7 June 2017. ^[29] He played in both games –both defeats, ^[30] He scored his first goal for Saint Kitts and Nevis in a 10–0 win against Saint Martin in the 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying rounds. ^[31]

Career statistics

As of match played 31 August 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cheltenham Town	2014–15 [8]	League Two	22	1	0	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	24	1
	2015–16 [2]	National League	0	0	—		—		1 [b]	0	1	0
	Total		22	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	25	1
Oxford City (loan)	2015–16 [2] [32]	National League South	17	1	2	2	—		0	0	19	3
Gloucester City (loan)	2015–16 [2]	National League North	14	2	—		—		—		14	2
Solihull Moors	2016–17 [2]	National League	42	9	4	0	—		0	0	46	9
Mansfield Town	2017–18 [33]	League Two	13	0	2	0	1	0	4 [c]	0	20	0
	2018–19 [34]	League Two	0	0	1	0	0	0	1 [c]	0	2	0
	2019–20 [35]	League Two	8	1	1	0	1	1	3 [c]	2	13	4
	Total		21	1	4	0	2	1	8	2	35	4
Solihull Moors (loan)	2017–18 [2]	National League	8	1	—		—		0	0	8	1
Brackley Town (loan)	2018–19 [2]	National League South	8	0	—		—		2 [d]	0	10	0
Kettering Town (loan)	2019–20 [2]	National League North	3	1	—		—		—		3	1
Kidderminster Harriers	2020–21 [2] [36]	National League North	14	4	1	0	—		1 [b]	0	16	4
	2021–22 [2] [37]	National League North	38	9	6	0	—		2 [b]	0	46	9
	Total		52	13	7	0	—		3	0	62	13
Ebbsfleet United	2022–23 [2] [38]	National League South	39	1	3	0	—		0	0	42	1
	2023–24 [2]	National League	20	1	2	0	—		0	0	22	1
	Total		59	2	5	0	0	0	0	0	64	2
Alvechurch	2024–25 [39] [40]	Southern League Premier Division Central	4	1	1	0	—		0	0	4	1
Career total			250	32	23	2	3	1	15	2	291	37

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
4. One appearance in FA Trophy, one in National League South play-offs

International goals

Scores and results list Saint Kitts and Nevis' goal tally first. ^[31] Score column lists the score after each Sterling-James goal.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	14 October 2018	Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre, The Valley, Anguilla	Saint Martin	6–0	10–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
2.	10 October 2019	Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Belmopan, Belize	Belize	1–0	4–0	2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B
3.	27 March 2021	Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas	Bahamas	4–0	4–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.	9 June 2022	Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca, Brievengat, Curaçao	Aruba	2–0	3–2	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Ebbsfleet United

• National League South: 2023–24 ^[26]

References

1. "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 70. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
2. "O. Sterling-James". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
3. "Former Churchman earns professional dream". Alvechurch F.C. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
4. "McDonald: Omari will shine for Robins". Redditch Advertiser. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
5. "Omari Sterling-James snapped up". Cheltenham Town F.C. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
6. "Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
7. "Cheltenham Town: Omari Sterling-James signs new contract". BBC Sport. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
8. "Games played by Omari Sterling-James in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
9. "Cheltenham Town 0–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
10. Bruce, Matthew (11 December 2015). "Omari Sterling-James gets the all-clear to play for Oxford City in FA Trophy". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
11. "Seven squad members to leave the club". Cheltenham Town F.C. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
12. "Dale & Sterling-James set to join Gloucester on loan". 4 February 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
13. "Marcus Bignot describes National League opener as a debut to remember". Solihull Observer. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
14. Solihull Moors FC [@SolihullMoors] (6 August 2016). "Our @cucinakitchens man of the match today is @OSterling19" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 April 2022– via Twitter.
15. "Solihull Moors winger agrees new contract". BBC Sport. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
16. "Omari Sterling-James: Mansfield Town sign Solihull Moors forward". BBC Sport. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
17. Reynolds, Shaun (29 June 2017). "Striker Sterling James departs Moors for new challenge with Football League club Mansfield". Solihull Observer. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
18. "Solihull Moors re-sign Mansfield Town forward on loan". BBC Sport. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
19. "'If people are playing you off for extra money then they're not the right ones for us!' Boston United won't be held to ransom by targets, says Craig Elliott". LincolnshireWorld. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
20. "Forward joins Kettering on loan". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
21. "National Leagues suspended indefinitely". Kettering Town F.C. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
22. "Mansfield Town announce retained list". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
23. Paddock, Matty (8 September 2020). "Sterling-James signs for Reds". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
24. Northcott, Jonathan (6 February 2022). "West Ham leave it late (twice) to deny inspired Kidderminster a famous upset". Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
25. "OSJ's on his way". www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
26. "Champions!". www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
27. "Fleet issue Retained/Released list". www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
28. @Alvechurch1st (25 July 2024). "✍️ 𝐎𝐌𝐀 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃! Alvechurch Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of experienced Vanarama National League winger Omari Sterling-James! 🤩 Another huge piece of business for us. We are thrilled to have secured his services! 👊" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 July 2024– via Twitter.
29. Palmer, Jon (1 June 2017). "First international call-up for ex-Cheltenham Town man". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
30. "Omari Sterling-James: International matches". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
31. "Omari Sterling-James". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
32. For FA Cup matches not covered by Soccerway: Bruce, Matthew (28 September 2015). "Sterling-James double puts Oxford City through in FA Cup". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
    Bruce, Matthew (12 October 2015). "Oxford City suffer shock defeat at Bognor Regis Town in FA Cup". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
33. "Games played by Omari Sterling-James in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
34. "Games played by Omari Sterling-James in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
35. "Games played by Omari Sterling-James in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
36. For FA Cup match not covered by Soccerway: "Alvechurch 03-10-20". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
37. For FA Cup matches not covered by Soccerway: "Sporting Khalsa (A) 18-09-21". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
    "Ware (A) 02-10-21". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
    "Ware (H) 05-10-21". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
38. For FA Cup matches not covered by Soccerway: Panting, Matthew (1 October 2022). "Report: Edser shines as Ebbsfleet progress in FA Cup". Kent Online. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
39. "First team: Statistics". Alvechurch F.C. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
40. "First team: Omari Sterling-James". Alvechurch F.C. Retrieved 3 September 2024.

External links

• Cheltenham Town profile via archive.org
• Omari Sterling-James at Soccerbase
• Omari Sterling-James at Soccerway