'Unbelievable' - Walsall interim Darren Byfield on Jamaica career and playing at the Azteca

Byfield won seven caps for the Reggae Boyz in just a matter of months and scored his only goal during a 2-0 victory over Paraguay in July 2003.

He played alongside the likes of former Bolton Wanderers full-back Ricardo Gardner, ex-Crystal Palace defender Claude Davis and one-time Saddler Jamie Lawrence.

‘So proud’ - Byfield on his international adventure

“Unbelievable because you’re representing your parents’ country and it’s a big thing to go out there to represent a nation,” Byfield reflected.

“I was so proud. I only got one goal but it was great day for me.”

Another high point was representing them at the Gold Cup in the United States and Mexico - as he started all three games at the tournament.

Jamaica lost 1-0 to Colombia in their opening game in Fort Lauderdale but beat Guatemala two days later to reach the quarter-finals as runners-up in their group.

Playing Mexico at the Azteca

Byfield had the opportunity to play at the legendary Azteca Stadium, although Jamaica were condemned to an emphatic 5-0 thrashing by the Mexicans.

“We played at the Azteca Stadium and we played in Miami as well,” he recalled.

“Some really good games and I’ll never forget when we played Mexico at the Azteca.

“I remember going out to warm-up and I looked around at all of the Mexican players who were like 5ft 3’.

“And I thought, oh my god you’re in trouble here guys. We’ve got so many athletes in our team who’re six foot plus, and were strong and quick.

“But about 60 minutes into the game, we were 4-0 down and I don’t think I’d touched the ball.”

Missing the chance to play Brazil

One of his biggest regrets was missing the opportunity to share a pitch with a host of household names when Jamaica faced Brazil later that year.

Byfield watched from the bench as the likes of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Kaka and Ronaldo helped guide Brazil to a 1-0 win in Leicester.

An injury had forced Byfield to pull out of the previous camp and had ultimately seen him drop down the pecking order, but 2003 was still a year he remembers fondly.

“I remember playing a friendly against Brazil and we played at Leicester’s ground,” he revealed.

“Just before that, I had pulled out of a couple of internationals because I was getting a move at the time.

“I was worried about my hamstring and we played Brazil.

“They all played: Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos etc. I sat on the bench for 90 minutes and if you could see the steam coming out of my ears.

“I was fuming, absolutely raging.”