BRUCE Dyer is proud his son Josiah has followed the family line and become a Montserrat international.
The teenage striker was called-up to the full squad last week and scored on his debut in a 4-2 win over Barbados on Monday.
He was an unused sub for their 2-1 win over Dominican Republic last week.
Former striker Bruce, who spent a large chunk of his career with the Reds, also turned out for the small island nation, nicknamed The Emerald Boys, who they both qualified for through Bruce’s dad, George.
And like his dad, Josiah is a striker but more in the physical mould.
Bruce said: “It means a lot.
"Josiah did well. All the family were watching it on the TV and screaming for him. I was over the moon he just made his debut – to score made it even more special.
"My dad would have been so proud to see him representing his home nation.
“I played one game for Montserrat in 2007. I did that more for my dad. It was not really well organised back then.
“But a lot has happened since then and there is money being put into football in the Caribbean.
“There is real scope for something big to happen in Caribbean football.”
It was a personal plea from Montserrat manager Lee Bowyer which sealed the deal for Dyer.
Bruce explains: “He had the option of playing for Jamaica under 20s too but Lee phoned up and presented everything very well. Lee played in the top-flight and with top targetmen.
“Obviously this was a chance to become a full international right away. I told Josiah it was up to him and this is the decision he’s made.
“He has only just turned 19 and he’s off on a plane. I wouldn’t have been able to do that at his age. He has fully embraced it."
Bruce is full of praise for the youngster who has spent time out on loan at FC United of Manchester and Basford United and has played for The Reds in the EFL Trophy.
Bruce added: “He is really open for the challenge. He’s been out on loan before and got stuck in. I was such a homely person. I remember moving to Barnsley seemed like a massive thing for me.
“It is always good to go back to your roots. And going back to represent your home nation is Roy Of The Rovers stuff.”
Dyer's academy teammates Trent Carter-Rogers and Mylan Benjamin are also eligible for Montserrat.
Bruce added: "Hopefully Josiah going over there will inspire them to go too. I know Lee is looking to have a young squad and build from there."
Bruce was an England under 21 international with 11 caps and four goals to his name.
His appearance for Montserrat came at the tail-end of his career and was in a friendly match against non-league Ashford United.
There has been a real resurgence in Caribbean football recently, especially with the Jamaican squad now containing Premier League stars like Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey and Bobby Decordova-Reid.
The Reds’ own Devante Cole and Jon Russell have also jetted out to the Caribbean to represent The Reggae Boyz.
They last qualified for the World Cup back at France ‘98 with Trinidad and Tobago famously qualifying for the 2006 World Cup where they played England in the group stage.
Many professional and semi-professional descendents of the Windrush generation have now committed to playing for the island nation of their grandparents.
Lyle Taylor, now with Wycombe, but with experience playing in the Championship, is Montserrat’s most famous player with the rest of the squad largely made up of British-based non-league players.
“Jamaica have got a really good team with strong forwards and midfield too.
“Montserrat have Lyle and a couple of young boys. There is potential there. If you can get good young players together then there is a chance to build something and that is what Lee is hoping to do.
“Josiah digested everything Lee had to say and then he was off on the plane.”
Montserrat are currently ranked 180 in the world rankings by FIFA.
The country is a British overseas territory of around just 5,000 people with a large portion of the island part of an exclusion zone due to volanic activity.
Lesroy Weekes, known to many fans of local cricket as a former player for Elsecar, Wath and Darfield, also hails from the nation.
