Jerren Nixon replaces McLean as North East coach.
T&T Newsday Reports.[/size]
Striker Jerren Nixon has been given the role as interim coach of North East Stars as a replacement for Guyanese James McLean. Reports circulated throughout the football fraternity over the weekend that McLean left the club to return to his native Guyana, but no official word was given concerning the circumstances surrounding his abrupt departure. Nonetheless, the 2005 season has been a struggle for North East, who have looked a shadow of the dominant force that saw them capture the 2004 Pro League title. A knee injury to Nixon earlier in the season derailed their progress, while a number of players, including Guyanese Abassi McPherson, Kayode McKinnon and Carey Harris were sent packing for disciplinary reasons. There were also reports that McLean had problems dealing with his team, and that may have hastened his exit.
The 32-year-old Nixon, who made his international comeback last season, will take up duties this afternoon, when North East meets Defence Force in a 16th round match-up at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo at 5 pm. Both teams met at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima on Friday last in the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup quarter-final, with Defence Force prevailing 2-1.
In other match-ups today, United Petrotrin and Tobago United will meet from 6 pm in Arima, in a clash of the table-proppers, while runaway leaders W Connection hosts Caledonia AIA/Fire at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva at 7 pm... (Preview Below)
Note:
It was learnt that Guyanese James McLean was fired and then re-hired on an interim basis...
Peek At Rd. 16.
By: Joel Villafana.[/size]
Tuesday 20th September, 2005
Defence Force vs North East Stars
Hasely Crawford Stadium—5 p.m.
This is a perfect opportunity for Defence Force to try and work their way up to 3rd place in the standings.
Fresh from qualifying for the First Citizens Bank Cup semi-finals when they got past North East Stars 2-1—the Army will be going into the encounter full of confidence of attaining 3 points.
The Sangre Grande Stars, now certain of not being able to successfully defend their League title, tottering in 5th place on the table on 16 points will have to pull something special out of the hat.
However, to be fair to Jimmy Mc Lean and his men, they dominated the early proceedings in the FCB Cup quarterfinals before going down to the Army. This should be another closely contested affair—and despite Defence Force would have a slight edge—it’s anyone’s game.
Tuesday 20th September, 2005
United Petrotrin vs Tobago United
Larry Gomes Stadium—6 p.m.
The Boys from South are flying high—still basking in the glory of their shock win over Caledonia in the FCB Cup—the ‘oilmen’ will be aiming to get the better of their counterparts from Tobago and ensure the boys from the sister isle don’t sneak up on them in the League table.
These bottom of the table clashes although may have little interest—most times provide some end to end exciting football.
Just 1 point separate these two teams with petrotrin on 5 points and Tobago on 4 points—and the teams have had some close thrilling encounters this season already—Petrotrin edged the Tobagonians 3-2—and then battled to a 2-2 draw. So its more or less even stevens and it promises to be a classic bottom of the table clash. Both teams are boasting of a few new signings and they will be looking to get the better of each other.
Tuesday 20th September, 2005
W Connection vs Caledonia AIA Fire
Ato Boldon Stadium—7 p.m.
Caledonia AIA Fire are battered and bruised—and facing W Connection may not be the best thing for the Firemen at this stage. Connection the team to beat this season is out front on 33 points and has
won 11 out of the 12 games they have played so far. Connection have had the better of the exchanges between the two teams and will be full of confidence going into the clash.
Caledonia were shockingly knocked out of the FCB Cup by United Petrotrin will be hoping to find a way to at least bounce back and give themselves some reprieve—but it will be by no means an easy task as Connection are showing no signs of easing up.
Chinese club holds up Glasgow transfer.
By Nigel Simon (Guardian).[/size]
The transfer of out-of-favour national striker Gary Glasgow from Chinese club Gaungzhou FC to local pro-club National Quarries North East Stars was not completed when the T&T Professional Football League transfer window closed on Thursday.
This was so because Glasgow’s former owners seems reluctant to respond to the request of Stars’ owner Darryl Mahabir.
Contacted yesterday, an upset Mahabir said that Glasgow would not be able to play for his club when the First Citizens’ Bank Cup kicks of today because his transfer documents from China were not processed.
“It’s a very sad situation, because the guy just wants to play football and it looks as though they are keen on denying him a chance to earn a living.
In addition to Glasgow, Stars were also awaiting the international transfer clearance to complete the deals of Walter Moore of Guyana, who now plays in Suriname, and striker Jaffar Munroe of Montserrat.
The trio were the only players among eight whose transfers were not completed when the extended deadline closed on Thursday.
The PFL had originally given September 14 as the transfer deadline, but because the clubs were only awaiting the international transfer clearances a decision was taken to extend the deadline.
Stars will still be able to sign the trio once their papers are forwarded to the T&T Football Federation and then to the PFL.
The other local clubs mainly, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, Tobago United and Caledonia, all managed to get deals for internationals players completed.
Jabloteh completed the signing of talked-about Jamaican midfielder Keith Kelly from top Jamaican club, Arnett Gardens, while Tobago had its request for transfers of Nigerian players Aminu Erinle, 22, and Samsideen Olutunji Quadri, 21, from the Football Academy of Lagos confirmed. Caledonia AIA/Fire acquired striker Oneke Forde of Jamaica’s Sporting Central and Stephan David of Indiana FC in the USA.
List of Foreigners in T&T PFL and Clubs attached to
San Juan Jabloteh:
Nicholas Addlery, Keith Kelly (Jamaica), Nigel Codrington, Devaughn Dummett (Guyana).
Caledonia AIA Fire:
Titus Elva (St Lucia), Kayode Mc Kinnon (Guyana), Stephan David (USA), Oneke Forde (Jamaica).
North East Stars:
Melvin Andrews, Kendall Velox (St Vincent), Howard Lowe, Charles Pollard, Kelvin Mc Kenzie, Travis Waterton, Walter Moore (Guyana), Jaffar Munroe (Montserrat).
Tobago United:
Aminu Erinle, Samsideen Olutunji Quadri (Nigeria).
W Connection:
Jason Cudjoe (USA), WIlliam Silva De Olliveira, Gefferson Goulart, Jose Luis Seabra, Ronaldo Viana (Brazil), Alejandro Figueroa (Colombia), Earl Jean, Elijah Joseph (St Lucia), Randolph Jerome (Guyana), Christopher Harvey (Jamaica), Iyiaka Stanley (Nigeria).
