Omari Shaquil Jabari Sterling-James is a 31-year-old Brummie, He’s right footed but can play either flank. He’d also performed as a central striker and an attacking midfielder. He’s played for most senior West Midlands non-league clubs and obviously wanted to add the Bulls to his collection. We’re his 15th club. He’s probably best known for scoring 13 times in his 56 appearances for Kiddy between 2020-2022. Team mates included Matt Preston, Jaiden White and Nathan Cameron.
For most of Omari’s career, he’s been paid as a full-time footballer. As recently as last season, he was part of the Ebbsfleet FC Championship winning team in National League South. Overall, he has played over 300 games played, nearly all at our level or higher.
He opted for Alvechurch last summer, though he hadn’t previously played as low as Step 3. He probably found the helter-skelter nature not to his liking. The wide man found the net twice in 23 appearances though picking up 6 yellows and the first red of his career. He was blunt in his criticism of the official. In January, he agreed a termination to his contract and curiously opted to join doomed Rushall. “I can’t wait to get started” he enthused to the Rushall media team. Hmm. He was voted as February’s Player of the Month by Rushall followers. He was booked 4 times in his 11 appearances (no goals) for the Pics, including one against the Bulls. Sterling-James impressed against Hereford that night but bluntly that wasn’t very difficult. Ten days later, he joined us. “It’s every man for himself” observed one Pics fan today sourly.
The quietly spoken attacker was born in Birmingham but qualifies via a relative (his grandad?) to play for Saints Kitts and Nevis. Since 2017, he’s racked up 30 full caps. Seven of them were World Cup matches and he’s found the net 4 times for the Sugar Boyz. Hus last appearance was against Cuba in November 2024. Happily, his adopted country next play in June.
Away from football, Omari is into grime, boxing and Spurs. He intends to start his coaching badges though has zero interest in being a manager. As far as I can tell he lives in Birmingham. He is or more likely was a director of a Handsworth-based football company offering team tours, player agents and coaching.
Omari describes himself as being “quick, sharp, dangerous” with video evidence that he can take a mean free kick. He is mainly a goal provider rather than scorer Presumably Caddis needs cover for the hungry Ceesay and can wait no longer for DJ Sturridge to recover from his latest injury (assuming he is still with us?)
Welcome to the Bulls. Omari.
Simon Wright
