Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Section 34 Thread

« on: Today at 06:52:43 AM »

For innocent people they acting rel scared. How can the government hire they own investigator , how is that fair?

The only fair thing in T&T is my ass 

I don't believe the concept of being fair or even natural justice exists here. If you list the scandals and controversies surrounding the PP govt in 3 years, you'll realise that there are no repercussions expected when the govt change. In many countries a political party would win the next election just by promising to prosecute the entire PP cabinet and their friends. Unfortunately, those same friends will be financing the next govt on the condition that certain matters are forgotten. And so it continues ...

2

Football / Re: Trinidad & Tobago’s 2006 World Cup star Cornell Glen signs for Shillong Lajong

« on: Yesterday at 10:18:28 AM »

So what? They get him for free?

I hope NE Stars get some change for that.

VB

    When u read an article like that about Cornell Glen one would think he would fetch a good price,what u think a player like that is worth?mind u that's a T&T top player.

In the English Championship, probably £500,000. In India, $0. Playing for wages there while he and his agent will get a signing on fee.

3

Football / Re: Why are they still playing football at the Marvin Lee Stadium

« on: Yesterday at 10:08:56 AM »

So the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Larry Gomes Stadium, Ato Boldon, Dwight Yorke Stadium and Manny Ramjohn Stadium were all down for repairs at the same time and Trinidad and Tobago’s professional football competition had to rent Anil Robert’s former Cabinet colleague Jack Warner’s controversial CONCACAF Centre of Excellence so as to finish its fixtures.

And the T&T Pro League and all that surrounds T&T football do not even bother to question or take action against this?

Then they deserve what they get, NOTHING !!!!

What action could the Pro League take? Abandon the fixtures? Remember the Ministry of Sport was going to provide community fields for Pro League clubs?

Until clubs have their own stadiums, the league will always be at the mercy of the Ministry.

4

Football / Re: Shabazz looks for travel help to the US.

« on: June 16, 2013, 08:13:28 PM »

The fact that this football thread has been dominated by political events 20 years ago really explains itself. Whatever the ability of Mr Shabazz, these same discussions will take place outside T&T when this situation goes global at the Gold Cup, which it certainly will.

I have no sympathy with terrorists. Growing up in the UK when it was at war with the IRA etc was no fun. For a decade you were on alert every time you went to the capital. Of course, there were atrocities on both sides. And I wondered if the people of Boston, the IRA's biggest source of fundraising, remembered the "freedom fighters" they supported in the 70's when that bomb went off a few months ago?

I always believe that a man deserves a second chance. If you look at the decisions you made as a teenager, from the clothes you wore, your haircuts, music, even your political beliefs, many times you would shudder. I'm not comparing wearing flares to revolution, but young people are easily led.

Mr Shabazz appears to be a fairly upright member of the community who seems to want to help youths. The fact he got Guerra out of the gang lifestyle that many of his family were involved with is commendable.

So, here's the rub. In my opinion, Shabazz's past criminal record should be remembered but not mentioned when we're talking local football. However, it is a very real and present factor when we're appointing a national coach. I'm sorry to say it, but that ghost will follow him around for ever and when it's mentioned outside T&T it does not promote a positive image.

Mr Shabazz has had a very good coaching record recently, both locally and with Guyana. I feel it was a bad decision by him to accept a position with the national team. I don't know him well, but he's ok to deal with on a day to day basis and he could have, and no doubt still will, continue to win trophies locally. I don't like to see the personal attacks made against him on this site, but I can understand why they happen.

Which is why it's better not to be so public when you have skeletons in your closet.

5

Football / Re: Local coach vs foreign coach.

« on: June 16, 2013, 08:29:20 AM »

My belief is that people will always feel a foreign coach is better than a local.

People don't respect the Pro League so no matter how well you perform every season people will still say "yeah, but its only the Pro League". Therefore, a local coach has to recognise that he must coach overseas at some point. Problem is that as a Pro League coach he feels cock of the rock so to leave that position to become youth team coach at Sc**thorpe Utd, or assistant coach at Dumbf**k University, Idaho is in their minds a step down.

But Denis Lawrence has got it right and by taking the time to learn coaching techniques in an EPL club will help him develop into one of T&T's greatest coaches.

LOL, always makes me laugh when I see the software blanking out the letters in Sc**thorpe!! Reminds me of how when Gillingham used to play them we'd shout "There's only one  C**t in Sc**thorpe" 

6

Football / Re: Marvin goes seven up for Soca Warriors

« on: June 15, 2013, 06:59:40 AM »

If Warner promotes all that's dark about T&T, Marvin promotes the light.

7

Football / Re: Beenhakker back in charge.

« on: June 14, 2013, 07:08:01 AM »

I imagine there are two reasons:
Can Mr Shabazz fly with the team to USA?
Can TTFA afford US$75km pm for more than 2 months?

But having Leo around will boost confidence and we'll probably get some decent opponents scheduled for the next 12 months.

8

Football / Re: Corneal: Tough to find opponents for Soca Warriors

« on: June 13, 2013, 11:25:28 PM »

Aye, Tiny Tim, you clueless f@#k, let me give you an idea. Fire this numbskull and hire Fenwick as your technical director and let us move on with the program and while you are at it, get rid of Watson and the tag team you have coaching the national team. Charles may have needed some help but not "the chin".

Wonder how Central would feel about this?

They would have to live without him.

With the compensation, Central can get Don Leo for a month. Apparently that's all he needs to create a winning team. Then we can relax while we win the league and all of the cups. 

9

Football / Re: TTFF woos the Don: Beenhakker considers stunning Warriors return

« on: June 13, 2013, 08:49:09 PM »

Someone has made a mistake as Jason Marcano is not in the squad. We double checked with Sheldon Phillips to make sure as Central F.C. were only notified about Marvin Phillip.

10

Football / Re: Skeene: The League has not only survived, it has thrived

« on: June 13, 2013, 06:50:29 PM »

There is no way that the Pro League can buy the TV time or advertising inches to overpower the media coverage of overseas football, basketball, throwball etc. There is probably more coverage of the international tiddlywinks world cup between Western Samoa and Andorra than the ProLeague.

Until the T&T media and press supports its home league, people won't come to games. If people don't come to games, sponsors won't come on board. Until sponsors come on board, decent players will have to go to Fuggedupistan to earn a decent living. Until players stop going to Fuggedupistan, the national team will not improve.

Skeene can do a bit more, but he can't out market the opposition without heavy media and press support.

11

Football / Re: Corneal: Tough to find opponents for Soca Warriors

« on: June 13, 2013, 06:41:59 PM »

I saw Marvin Phillip yesterday. I believe the squad trained at Ato Boldon today.

12

Football / Re: Corneal: Tough to find opponents for Soca Warriors

« on: June 13, 2013, 03:49:40 PM »

The situation with foreign clubs is fairly straightforward: if you want them to come, you have to pay for them.

Big clubs will want more than T&T can guarantee i.e. live TV coverage, opportunities to sell replica jerseys etc. They will also look at the size of the market, and 1.3 million just isn't big enough. USA, Far East etc are more profitable.

For smaller clubs, all they want is a free pre season trip. But that will still cost TT$350k to arrange. The usual people to organise this would be an agent of some kind. But he will want to make some money, which is fair enough. But how? I doubt if you would get more than 1,500 people to a game and you will get some sponsorship. You may be able to cover costs, but I doubt if the agent will make much profit, so again, why would he bother with T&T?

The TTFA, TDC and Ministry of Sport have no funds, so the only way is for a club to do this. That means they have to take the financial gamble and the only possible reward is increased brand awareness, possible player sales and maybe, a little bit of cash. Again, they would think, why bother going to all of that trouble?

But if we are to raise the profile of the Pro League and T&T football, somebody has to take the gamble. It may not reap rewards the first time, but it paves the way to bigger teams in the future. When you set out on a journey into the unknown, the first step is the hardest, but if nobody is brave enough, we'll end up going nowhere.

Beg to differ, countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand do it on a regular basis.
J'ca and the DR Congo also do it just to name a few.

VB

VB, I didn't say that nobody in the world does this, I simply explained the financial factors. You've given no examples of the clubs and how the trips were financed to Jamaica and DRC. (But I would imagine both nations would have more fans at a game than T&T) However, as I clearly stated, USA, Far East etc are more profitable. 

13

Football / Re: Corneal: Tough to find opponents for Soca Warriors

« on: June 13, 2013, 10:59:42 AM »

The situation with foreign clubs is fairly straightforward: if you want them to come, you have to pay for them.

Big clubs will want more than T&T can guarantee i.e. live TV coverage, opportunities to sell replica jerseys etc. They will also look at the size of the market, and 1.3 million just isn't big enough. USA, Far East etc are more profitable.

For smaller clubs, all they want is a free pre season trip. But that will still cost TT$350k to arrange. The usual people to organise this would be an agent of some kind. But he will want to make some money, which is fair enough. But how? I doubt if you would get more than 1,500 people to a game and you will get some sponsorship. You may be able to cover costs, but I doubt if the agent will make much profit, so again, why would he bother with T&T?

The TTFA, TDC and Ministry of Sport have no funds, so the only way is for a club to do this. That means they have to take the financial gamble and the only possible reward is increased brand awareness, possible player sales and maybe, a little bit of cash. Again, they would think, why bother going to all of that trouble?

But if we are to raise the profile of the Pro League and T&T football, somebody has to take the gamble. It may not reap rewards the first time, but it paves the way to bigger teams in the future. When you set out on a journey into the unknown, the first step is the hardest, but if nobody is brave enough, we'll end up going nowhere.

14

Football / Re: Tobago's Darryl Trim aims big.

« on: June 12, 2013, 10:14:31 PM »

i heard Darryl Trimm's father passed on saturday while on the field, my condolences to the Trimm family. Stay strong Darryl

 

15

Football / Re: We big Flag...

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:34:33 PM »

Can anybody link me with whoever has the flag? Have something coming up that I would love to have the flag on show, so it can be seen worldwide.

16

Football / Re: Corneal not optimistic about soca warriors

« on: June 11, 2013, 07:56:09 PM »

Obviously, I have a vested interest, but I wonder why there is so much negativity towards the Pro League. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of changes needed in the attitudes of some clubs, but speaking from an experience of running a club for one season, guys, it's really tough.

Criticize by all means, but don't hate! Where would your national team players come from if the Pro League was scrapped? All the time the negative comments continue, it prevents people investing in the game, which in turn, leads to a continuation of the problems we face.

Most of the players overseas started life with Pro League clubs. The natural progression is for players to move overseas to further develop. It appears to me that a lot of professional T&T footballers just do not have a good attitude towards T&T football.

I'm willing to bet that if players were paid US$10,000 per game, you'd find a lot less overseas players unavailable. There is no pride in playing for T&T in many of these guys. And that lack of passion is seen on the pitch. Many of our current crop of overseas players see themselves as big time Charlies who don't need to make the effort for their country.

The legacy of 2006 is that the current batch of underachievers feel that 2006 was pure luck and that T&T would never be good enough to repeat that success.

My plan, as always, is to concentrate on 2022, work with the U17's and take the pressure off winning games and focus on building a compact squad who know each other inside out.

Hope yuh don't think my disagreement with Alvin is a negative reflection of the Pro League. Just saying that our BEST Snr players would not necessarily come from our Local Pro league. It just can't compete with a foreign contract and in many cases a foreign exposure from a development standpoint. Debatable, but would Latapy have been as good had he stayed local..as opposed to playing in Canada(jokey league), Jamaica (Jokey league)...would he have had the wherewithal to then crack into Portugal, Scotland etc
Pro league probably have a few players with the Latapy potential -is that blasphemy - but would it be possible yet, to develop these potential filled individuals to beas great, if they stay in the Pro league ? Nah, the pro-league with the right admin, the right coaching and the right support, could develop down the road, but at this point, it might be growing, developing, but can't yet see it developing players this fast. Might take 15  + years...but for now it not yet strong in any of these...even if Individuals and some clubs dream of one day attaining this...
Nb: I hypothesizing, cause I didn't see a game yet...your fault..   

Max, you didn't see a game coz you have no satnav lol

I agree 100% in that a player won't reach his full potential until he regularly plays and receives coaching from a top European league club.
My argument is that the Pro League is a feeder league much like English League 1 and 2, Serie B etc  Pro League clubs should - and could - be the best in the Caribbean. They could compete in the USL eventually, if they really get organised.
We have to know our potential and limitations. I just feel that too many people don't support the belief that the league isn't that bad and with the support of fans, can be better.

There are more English supporters at non EPL games every week than at EPL games. They all know that their team will never be a chelsea or Man Utd, but their expectations are realistic. Most Trinis will never see a Barca game live, so why not follow a local team live and watch Barca on the telly.

17

Football / Re: Corneal not optimistic about soca warriors

« on: June 11, 2013, 09:53:08 AM »

JC, there are many criticisms that you can lay at the feet of Skeene. I'm not sure what experiences you have had with him, but just to add a little perspective, for me, he is possibly the most forward thinking administrator I have come across in T&T.

He understands and encourages radical ideas. His major problem is that he doesn't have the necessary support to make changes, because those changes would cause clubs to think and work differently and force them to go and find sponsorship to cover additional costs.

If you could imagine a Minister of Sport who keeps getting his plans such as a national basketball academy vetoed by the cabinet because the results of his projects will not be felt for 10 years and they want to win the next election by organising another Hoops of Life.

Thats the kind of problem Skeene has. What can he do - remember, he's an employee - he can't sack the clubs CEO's!

Perhaps he's not doing enough because he's disillusioned, but when he gets a chance, he does what he can.

18

Football / Re: Corneal not optimistic about soca warriors

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:45:39 AM »

FS i feel real sorry for ppl like you and graham ricks, i really do.

the reason for this is bc i was in T&T last yr, and i had ah really hard time with the ppl all bc i was ah "fresh water" yankee, and they did every thing in their power to make me feel un welcomed.

from the airport and back i was met with incourteous ppl who went out of their way to be rude. i remember thinking to my self, "where the fack am i ??  this can't be trinidad"!

my point is , if these ppl went out of their way to make me, a T&T national feel like ah dastardly foreigner, then i could only imagine how you were treated.

i remember goin to a game in 2008 , it was T&T vs bermuda @ the marvin lee stadium, after the game ppl just dispersed not even engaging each other, i tried to spark up conversations with random ppl and they looked @ me like i was crazy for even engaging them.

i remembered back in the seventies and eighties when ppl attended games, how ppl would engage each other on the way out of the arena like if they knew each other for yrs.

it was lime and plenty dudup drum and iron going up the road win or lose. don't get me wrong, i'm not looking or expecting that kind of interaction anymore, but when did we get like this to the point where we totally ignore one another??

i could only imagine what you have to deal with down there. there was a time when trinidad was voted the friendliest nation on the planet back in the seventies, as ah matter of fact when our girls went out to represent the country in these international beauty pageants we would always win miss amity bc of how civilized our ppl were.

now today, i don't know who these savages are!! they must be an invading force who have conquered our land and gave our ppl their life style! some how i wish that was the case, but we all know better.  our nation truly suffered a serious brain drain in the eighties and nineties, that's the only thing i could come up with to explain this strange phenomenon.

hang in there FS, just keep up the good work, you shall be rewarded.

Don't feel sorry for me mate...I chose to live here and I believe it can get better.

I guess people don't engage because they're frightened of being shot! I keep myself to myself when I'm out, because you just don't know.

How did it happen? Well somebody taught these kids, so I guess you have to blame the parents!! I know the US TV had a big influence along with movies and music, but the parents still have a role to teach respect and right from wrong. I mean, if your kid was hitting a dog with a stick and you don't tell him to stop, next thing he's gonna hit your next door neighbour with that same stick.

19

Football / Re: Corneal not optimistic about soca warriors

« on: June 11, 2013, 06:12:55 AM »

JC, a lot of what you said, I can buy into. I'm not sure about Skeene and I'll tell you why.

We recently had our player of the year awards. 4pm-6pm, bit of food, and drink, sponsors in attendance. A nice event.

Players were arriving after 4.30pm. I was vexed (as usual) but some of our coaches were "explaining" to lil ol colonial Kev that this is the culture here. I have to chill out.

I said that whether you're in Trinidad, Timbuktu or Titsuck,Tennessee 4pm is 4pm. It ain't rocket science, it's respect.

And I feel like giving up at those times. How can you fight a whole nation? The players may have been receiving a $10,000 cheque for player of the year, our sponsors were there to be impressed so we can continue to receive funding. But they still arrive late, and worse, the coaches are trying to justify that!

I'm not trying to say that Skeene is some kind of revolutionary thinker,  but I can vouch that he wants change. He's supportive of new ideas and very approachable. It may be that his weakness is leadership because decisions at the ProLeague are taken by the Board, which is made up of the clubs. It is a regular occurrence for  there to not be a quorum at board meetings. Often, club owners don't even send apologies for their absence.

You see, many of the clubs don't want change. They live in a comfort zone, so why work harder for no immediate return? Same goes for players. For many of the young, it's a live fast, die young culture. Get rich or die trying. There's no personal investment. As you said, no one wants to bleed to achieve.

I get disillusioned at times, I get frustrated.

In the UK, I had many friends who were footballers. There was mutual respect. I could walk into Orient or Spurs a sit down with 5 or 6 players and have a cup of tea and a chat. I'd meet them for a beer, go to their weddings, know their families. Sancho and Jack were at my wedding and my Dads funeral when they played for Gillingham.

I don't even know if some of the Central players are married or have kids. They don't want to know me. Their families and friends don't come to games and didn't come to the award ceremony. If every player bought 4 or 5 friends and family, that would double the attendance at matches!

I saw Graham Rix, one of the best coaches I've ever seen, disillusioned after a few months to the point that he would rather be unemployed than constantly ignored and disrespected. How must the guys like Pfister have felt?

We have to reinvent the T&T footballer. Catch them young, feed them passion for the game, separate them from the negative culture.

I won't give up yet. I have a 4 month old daughter who will become a soca princess! I can't quit, for her sake!

20

Football / Re: Corneal not optimistic about soca warriors

« on: June 10, 2013, 10:45:57 PM »

Obviously, I have a vested interest, but I wonder why there is so much negativity towards the Pro League. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of changes needed in the attitudes of some clubs, but speaking from an experience of running a club for one season, guys, it's really tough.

Criticize by all means, but don't hate! Where would your national team players come from if the Pro League was scrapped? All the time the negative comments continue, it prevents people investing in the game, which in turn, leads to a continuation of the problems we face.

Most of the players overseas started life with Pro League clubs. The natural progression is for players to move overseas to further develop. It appears to me that a lot of professional T&T footballers just do not have a good attitude towards T&T football.

I'm willing to bet that if players were paid US$10,000 per game, you'd find a lot less overseas players unavailable. There is no pride in playing for T&T in many of these guys. And that lack of passion is seen on the pitch. Many of our current crop of overseas players see themselves as big time Charlies who don't need to make the effort for their country.

The legacy of 2006 is that the current batch of underachievers feel that 2006 was pure luck and that T&T would never be good enough to repeat that success.

My plan, as always, is to concentrate on 2022, work with the U17's and take the pressure off winning games and focus on building a compact squad who know each other inside out.

21

General Discussion / Re: MILLIONS OVERPAID

« on: June 10, 2013, 11:53:38 AM »

No fire-trucking way: Jack X looks for a way out latest scandal

Scene: International Rescue Committee headquarters in New York.

Phone rings. IRC Chairman George Rupp answers

George Rupp: “Hello. George Rupp speaking…”

Ex-Minister of National Security, ex-Minister of Work and Infrastructure, ex-UNC Chairman, ex-Chaguanas West MP, ex-FIFA Vice-President, ex-CONCACAF President, ex-Caribbean Football Union President, ex-Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Special Advisor, ex-Local Organising Committee 2006 Chairman, current smart man Jack Warner: “Salaam alaikum, George. This is Jack X.”

Rupp: “Jack X? Are you a Muslim now? I thought you were a Hindu.”

Jack X: “Muslim? No. You didn’t hear how many positions I am an ex-holder of? I find it quicker to call myself an X-man now. I on my own beat like Wolverine. Haha.”

Rupp: “Okay. Well, whatever sits well with you, Jack.”

Jack X: “Exactly. I will be a Jehovah Witness if it keeps my seat.”

Rupp: “Jack, what is this about? Are you calling about the Haiti emergency relief funds you promised?”

Jack X: “Steups. You dropped me right in the mess over here and you asking me about Haiti and their alleged earthquake?! This is more serious than any alleged Haitians man. Cabinet is querying the bill you submitted for rescuing the fire truck.”

more here...
http://www.wired868.com/2013/06/10/no-fire-trucking-way-jack-x-looks-for-a-way-out-latest-scandal/

22

Football / Re: Young footballers in need of sponsorship

« on: June 09, 2013, 11:28:00 AM »

I fully endorse helping young kids to play football. However, I do not believe kids should just expect handouts. When you talk to youngsters, they want the best boots on the market. If you offer them less, they turn their noses up.

My first few pairs of boots were secondhand. Once I got the first pair, I told the boy "As soon as you grow out of your new ones, let me know". Same boy sold me three pairs in 5 years! And, of course, I had to look after them, using dubbing in the winter to preserve them.
So, why can't older boys donate their boots to younger kids?

Secondly, if the team get a sponsor, what will they give the sponsor in return? The Hart Boys coach, Richards, has had the gumption to highlight his team. Now he needs to convince a sponsor. He should have plans ready to organise a clean up or paint a kids home so his sponsor gets some mileage.

Thirdly, why don't they organise a barbeque or sponsored walk? I'm sure people will give them a few dollars. At least it will show they're prepared to earn their boots.

All of the above will show the boys that you can't rely on handouts, but if you put in some effort it will be rewarded. It teaches them work ethic and, boy, will they respect and look after their boots!

23

Football / Re: Central F.C. Player of the Year Awards streaming online NOW!

« on: June 08, 2013, 11:30:57 PM »

Where Joe Public reach Central could only dream off.

We were the first team from the Caribbean to beat a Mexican team in Mexico we also eliminated MLS teams from the CCL.

Coming second is not good enough.

Wake up my man.

Yuh so busy looking backward, you can't see what the future holds, my man.
And I can confirm that Central aren't dreaming of where Joe Public reached. We never really fancied the SuperLeague. 

24

Football / Re: Central F.C. Player of the Year Awards streaming online NOW!

« on: June 08, 2013, 06:42:03 PM »

Player of the year and them ain't win zero.

 

Kevin need to go back to England and revitalize Gillingham and stop taking advantage of our third world country and the people who would do anything for a blackberry.

If Central finished last, there still would have been a player of the year, not so? You see, Jack, these things may seem unimportant to selfish money mad meglomaniacs, but for our youngsters, it gives them pride and something to aspire to. It also starts to embed the philosophy that winning is not always as important as playing well. As you say, we won nothing, yet I would argue that the Central FC brand is better known than most established teams, including Joe Pubic, particularly in overseas.


As for Gillingham, they don't need me, they just become League Two Champions.

25

Football / Re: Central F.C. Player of the Year Awards streaming online NOW!

« on: June 08, 2013, 01:24:21 PM »

I seeing amateur boxing from TT but I cool with that 

LOL probably more entertaining!

26

Football / Central F.C. Player of the Year Awards streaming online NOW!

« on: June 08, 2013, 11:41:08 AM »

Saturday 1.30pm

www.acts25tt.com

Also, at 4.30 streaming of Treat Her Like A Lady

27

Football / Re: Central FC Thread.

« on: June 08, 2013, 06:12:23 AM »

   ahmmmm, no kits yet huh?

LOl. Hardly made it to the end of the season (had to adapt a few numbers near the end there). Hopefully, we'll order a few extra this season but we don't have the luxury of keeping stocks of jerseys at the moment.

28

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Estonia Game (7-Jun-13).

« on: June 07, 2013, 03:42:02 PM »

Again, guys, its about managing expectations. Estonia may be a small footballing nation but they still got 16 points from 10 games in the Euro 2012 qualifiers and lost to Ireland in the play off (losing at home, drawing away).

They also beat Uruguay a couple of years ago. They play lots of quality friendlies (in 2012 they set a record for being the first team to play all 52 UEFA members)

The reason this is such a good opponent is that their population is roughly the same as T&T so its a good indication of where we're at. They have a lot of Russian influence and everyone plays football there and, like T&T, it's the only way to a decent life for young kids.

A 1-0 defeat is no disaster.

What is clear to me is that T&T don't need Leo or even Mourinho. What they need is a solid youth programme to develop a T&T style that will give results in 10 years time.

Most people here are so focused on winning a game. Who gives a shit about beating Estonia? We all want to win, but a one off victory means nothing. This should be about a steady developmental process. Stop looking for wins and look for improvements. 

The frustrating thing is that there doesn't seem to be a developmental plan!!

29

Football / Re: Central FC Thread.

« on: June 07, 2013, 07:56:12 AM »

We had no doubt that our biggest challenge in our first season was to establish a brand that could compete, off the field, with clubs like W, Cali and N.E. We knew we wouldn't win the league, hoped we may win a cup and aimed to uncover young talent especially from Central.

Did we achieve our aims? Well, we lost a cup final and finished 5th, but we certainly gave the "big boys" a game or two. We signed Mitchell in January and he was playing for the National team in March. Rundell Winchester will be a massive player. We selected 16, 17 and 18 year old unknowns in our Senior Squad and they will be signing for us.

But off the field, we have made huge progress. People from Central recognise our brand, and so does Corporate T&T.

For a football club to hold an event attended by T&T's top business women, with the vice President of the Senate and the deputy speaker of the House and the Minister of Justice leaving parliament to deliver a speech, is a huge achievement.

What we do off the field is equally as important as what happens on the field. The road to becoming financially self sufficient is not straight forward, and it's very hard to avoid politics, but if our football is to grow, this is the only way to make it happen. Winning the F.A. Trophy may have given us some glory, but it would not have moved us forward the way this event has.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV4dFpuxIIo

30

Football / Re: Romania defeats Warriors.

« on: June 06, 2013, 11:43:53 PM »

2 Boss post FS..and nice comments/discussive points ANC2, Milkyx, MEP, deeks & JC
will like to add one point..since we keep exporting some of our best & brighter (academically)younger players/non-players to foreign colleges - won't fault them for that- but don't have a plan/place for them to return to TT society, then it considerably weakens our sportive development pool, as well as our social and economic progress.  Younger ppl learn on the backs of the ppl before them, but if the ppl before them constantly emigrate for whatever reason then you left with a weakend society..it's good for them to go away, but we need to have them comeback and demonstrate/teach/police/lead.

It's difficult as this is a man's career we're talking about. Of course it would be nice for them to come back at a reasonable age, but there's nothing here for them. They may get an offer of $8k or $9k per month, but realistically, probably no more than $7.5k. Meanwhile, they could play in League 2 for a minimum of $3,500 per week with housing thrown in. If they're a decent player, they could earn $10k pw in League 2, $15-20k in League 1 and up to $100k pw in the Championship. Why would you come home?

Its the same old story, somehow we have to get money into the game in T&T. Large crowds, TV rights, bigger prize money, transfer fees all equal better wages for players. And the first step is getting bums on seats to create the demand......but how do you do that? I'm all out of ideas!!