Anthony Patrick exits St Catherine High football post after Racing United departure

Anthony Patrick, the veteran Jamaican football coach, says his time as head coach of St Catherine High School has come to an end after the school informed him last Wednesday that it was moving in another direction.

Patrick said the John’s Road institution sent him written notice that it would no longer require his services. He said the letter thanked him for his contribution and indicated that another person would be taking over the role.

The coach, who joined St Catherine High in 2016, said the decision did not catch him off guard. According to Patrick, he had gone the past couple of years without signing a contract with the school, while Nigel Walker, the team manager, had also recently left his position.

Patrick’s spell at St Catherine High included three Walker Cup Knockout triumphs, with the school lifting the title in 2019, 2021 and 2025. He also took the team to the 2024 Manning Cup final, where they lost 3-1 to Kingston College.

Reflecting on his record at the school, Patrick said he was satisfied with what he achieved. He noted that since taking charge in 2016, St Catherine High consistently reached the second round, and he also guided the programme to a Manning Cup final.

Patrick said winning three Walker Cup Knockout titles left him feeling that his work at the school had been strong. He added that he was very pleased with the contribution he made during his time in charge.

Even so, Patrick admitted that leaving the institution brought mixed feelings. He said any coach who looks back on years of work with a school programme would naturally feel something about moving on.

However, Patrick said he accepted the decision as part of football and life, and that he would continue forward without resentment. He said he held no ill feeling toward anyone at St Catherine High and wished the school success in the years ahead.

His St Catherine High exit follows shortly after he was removed last week as head coach of Racing United in the Jamaica Premier League.

Patrick had led Racing United since 2017, taking the club from the St Catherine Divisional Two competition all the way into the Premier League.

Looking at the St Catherine High squad he leaves behind, Patrick said the football programme remains in a strong position because several talented young players are in place.

He said the team should have a solid defensive unit, made up largely of youngsters he began introducing between 2023 and 2024. Patrick said some of those players were given match time when they were 12 and 13 years old, and he expects them to have an important role this season.

Patrick, however, said the team’s attacking play is the area where he expects St Catherine High to have some limitations.