Onandi Lowe

Onandi Lowe

Born 2 December 1974 (Age 26 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #158)

Total appearances 98 – 52 goals

(92 League, 3 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 League Trophy)

Debut:

1 December 2001 (Home Bristol Rovers)

Final game:

20 March 2004 (Away Brentford)

Onandi originally signed for Diamonds on loan from Kansas City Wizards on 30 November 2001. Having been born in Jamaica, he joined Harbour View in 1993 and quickly became a noted free-kick specialist, thanks mainly to his strong left foot. He played at youth level for the Jamaican National side before earning the first of what was to be 65 full International caps. He moved to Canada in 1996 and played for Montreal Impact scoring 15 goals in 27 appearances. He returned to Jamaica the following year, and had spells with Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens before deciding to return to North America in 1999, initially with Richmond Kickers before moving on to play for Rochester Raging Rhinos and Kansas City Wizards. During the MLS closed season in 2001, he decided to try out in the UK and after an initial spell at Port Vale, joined Diamonds.

The tall strong Jamaican striker was drafted in to add firepower to the newly promoted Diamonds side. With Justin Jackson deemed to not be of the standard required in Division 3, he was needed to fill the void of a striker with a prolific goal record. Needless to say, Onandi did not disappoint and although MLS side Kansas City Wizards were not originally prepared to part with the striker, a deal was done and the signing was made permanent in 2002 for an undisclosed fee, reported to have been around £200,000. He already had experience on the highest level having taken part in the 1998 World Cup, representing Jamaica. He was capped by his country over 60 times. In his first season, Lowe finished top scorer for Diamonds, scoring 20 goals in all competition. This helped take Diamonds within one game of Division 2, only to fall short in the play-off final. After his signature was made permanent, Lowe continued to score goals at a prolific rate. He and Jamaican team-mate Paul Hall scored 16 goals apiece as Rushden were promoted to Division 2 in 2003, erasing the disappointment of the Millennium Stadium one year earlier.

Despite Diamonds relegation the following season, Lowe top scored once more, adding another 16 goals to his already impressive total. Following financial problems however, Lowe eventually left Diamonds in the firesale of March 2004 and joined Coventry City as Diamonds dramatically reduced their wage bill. The move didn’t go well however and after just a few appearances and Police investigations into allegations drug smuggling (later dismissed), he returned to Jamaica. Onandi went on to rejoin Arnett Gardens and Portmore United, during which he had a loan spell with Miami. He ended his career back with Arnett Gardens in 2008.

Appearances

2001/2002 – squad number 31

2002/2003 – squad number 31

2003/2004 – squad number 31