Oliver named Pro League MVP.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).[/size]
Marvin Oliver pumped his right fist in the air three times on being declared the 2007 Most Valuable Player of the 2007 T&T Pro League season.
On Thursday evening at the Crowne Plaza in Port of Spain, the dreadlocked former Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA midfielder was presented with a new white Toyota Yaris as his prize as the Pro League held its gala end-of-season function.
The event also served to launch the 2008 campaign, which kicks off today. Oliver said he was speechless at being selected the MVP. But was he surprised?
"To be honest, maybe yes, maybe no...because of the administrative problems I have sometimes in the country with being left out of the national team," he replied. "It really makes me feel good to see that at least still I am being recognised for my accomplishments individually.
"This is great for all the ghettos and all the communities in Trinidad and Tobago, seeing that a guy like themselves, who came from nothing, could accomplish this. I'm sending a message to all the youngsters in the country. Stick hard with it and sports does pay."
Having signed a one-year-contract with 2007 Pro League champions CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, Oliver said Trinidad and Tobago can expect to see more from him in Jabloteh colours this season. He also hopes to get another chance with the senior national team.
"I've been trying to get on the national team for the last 15 years, I don't know what more I might have to do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works out," he said, also highlighting his club ambitions for 2008.
"I'm home now...I'm playing with my local team from San Juan. I thought W Connection received the majority of the trophies tonight and I think I would like to put a dent into it and have some coming to San Juan."
Couva-based Vibe CT 105 W Connection took most of the prizes at youth and senior level at Thursday's function, also being named Team-of-the-Year.
Connection finished third to champs Jabloteh and runners-up Joe Public in the league, but won three other major Pro League trophies--the Courts Pro Bowl, the First Citizens Cup and the Lucozade Big 6.
And their coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier was named Coach-of-the-Year, while manager Raymond McLean was Manager-of-the-Year.
Known for their neat appearance, W Connection were also adjudged Most Disciplined team, along with collecting three youth awards.
Jabloteh's Cleon John, a transfer from the Defence Force, played the most minutes of any keeper in the league and was also adjudged Goalkeeper-of-the-Year. Teammate, Antiguan Peter Byers, playing his first season with champions Jabloteh last year, was the league's top-scorer with 15 goals and was also adjudged best forward.
Byers said his first season in T&T was good and he promised to raise his goal count to more than 20 this season.
"For the first Antiguan coming to Trinidad and winning 'most goals', I am very proud, because I am a foreigner," said Byers. "I know there will be stiff competition this season after coming out on top of the Pro League but...I know this season will be much better and they will get more goals from me. I will be in my 20s-high this season because I have been working hard and there will be better to come from me."
T&T Pro League chairman Larry Romany said the Pro League had made many achievements and urged clubs to continue to raise standards. He observed that clubs such as Caledonia AIA, St Ann's Rangers and, more recently, North East Stars had brought in professional management, to great effect.
The one disappointment, said Romany, is the absence of the Police teams from the competition this season following a directive from Commissioner Trevor Paul forbidding policemen from competing in light of the crime situation.
"We, however, have reserved a place for the Police whenever they come back into the League," he said.
