Berry says Peltier's case is unfortunate.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).[/size]
Agent Mike Berry is advising local strike Lester Peltier and his colleagues who had been awaiting word of their work permit appeal before being left in a disappointed state to keep their heads up.
Berry, who has been successful in transacting 18 work permits for T&T nationals to play abroad felt the player Peltier was being ill-advised and has such had to suffer the consequences.
According to Berry, “Peltier and the other boys have been "led up the garden path" since day one.”
He claimed that word about Peltier’s grandmother being Dutch was irrelevant and “then he (Terry Fenwick) talked about trying for working holidays for the boys a la Kenwyne Jones. The working holiday scheme was vetoed by the FA more than 2 years ago!
“He should never have allowed the boys to have their hopes raised when they quite frankly never had a cat in hells chance of getting through and Fenwick should have advised them accordingly.
“Their UK agents are obviously very inexperienced in Work Permit legislation and were wrong to even consider appeals for the boys with their lack of international experience and should look carefully at themselves for taking the boys and their families on this ill fated journey for employment in the UK and to end up in tears and disappointment for all concerned.”
Fenwick’ claim that failure by Wim Rijsbergen and Michael McComie to provide recommendation was also irrelevant and he revealed that the Dutchman never assisted in Jason Scotland’s permit grant.
“The agent’s and Fenwick’s claims that Wim and McComie let them down by not submitting letters of recommendation is just clutching at straws and a smokescreen to mask their obvious naivety in Work permit matters and lack of experience and preparation.”
“As someone who has transacted eighteen successful WP's for T&T players so far I am really saddened by this situation particularly for the boys and their families who have had their hopes raised spuriously and then had them dashed so bluntly. I would advise them to stay strong, keep the faith and things will work out in the future, I am sure as "cream always rises to the top."
“I can also assure them that not having a letter from Wim or McComie did not affect the panels decision one iota. If Fenwick and their UK representatives felt so strongly about the issue then they should have secured the references a long time ago and not the week before the hearing.
“Their obvious lack of experience in these matters has caused these 3 boys a lot of grief and anxiety in my opinion and was totally unnecessary had they fully understood the basic requirements of UK Work Permit rules.
“Finally I would advise any young T&T player to think carefully about who represents them in future to avoid further similar disappointment and false promises from people. Also for the record Wim never, as alleged by Peltier’s agent Mohamed provided any references or recommendations for Scotty's recent successful WP appeal which was organised by myself.This spurious claim was a "red herring" to divert attention away from an appeal that had no real foundation and was doomed to fail from the start,” Berry concluded. Berry also wished Jan Michael Williams and Silvio Spann success in their attempts at obtaining work permits following interest from Sheffield United and Sunderland respectively.
McComie: Lack of national caps cost Peltier.
By: Joel Bailey (Newsday).Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 football assistant coach Michael McComie said lack of national caps was the reason for CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s Lester Peltier being denied a work permit by the UK Home Office.
The 18-year-old Peltier who was once a member of the Under-23s, was on the verge of a four-year deal with English Premiership club Portsmouth.
It was alleged by Jabloteh’s coach Terry Fenwick that McComie, national coach Wim Rijsbergen and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) refused to assist young Peltier.
But McComie quickly pointed out, “Jan-Michael Williams was denied a contract with Glasgow Rangers in 2003 also based on work permit issues.
“England is very strict,” he said. “People come to Trinidad and they see a pond of talent and they also see a lot of dollar signs. Some people try to manipulate the system for their own benefits.”
The former national goalkeeper emphasised, “as long as I am here, no one will use me. If they happen to get through, well so be it for them.
“We have all the information but I cannot speak about it right now,” said the interim Joe Public coach.
“You’ll be surprised to know some of the things that do transpire. Not everything that glitters is gold and people in Trinidad need to understand that.”
He added, “a lot of people don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in terms of the business arrangements with these players. We had nothing to do with the player.
“I’ve never spoken to Mr Fenwick for 2007 and I’m seeing my name,” McComie said. “The work permit issue has nothing to do with a recommendation letter.
“As long as the Football Federation has their meeting and clears the air, in terms of having a press conference, more will be said on it.”
The Under-23s are preparing for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifiers against hosts Suriname, Guyana and Netherlands Antilles in Group “A”. The group phase runs from August 31 to September 4.
McComie said that, following Thursday’s training session, the current Under- 23 squad will be reduced from 26 to 22. He said former TT youth team defender Makan Hislop will be added to the contingent.
Meanwhile, coach Jan Van Deinsen is expected to rejoin the technical staff in time for the CFU qualifiers. Van Deinsen underwent back surgery last month in his native Holland and, according to a source close to the team, the 50-year-old coach is close to a full recovery and will be back in Trinidad within the next two weeks.
