Central F.C.’s toughest CFU challenge could be just to get there.
Central FC Release.
Reigning Digicel TT Pro League and CFU Caribbean Club Champions, Bankers Central FC will fly to Jamaica to defend their title on Wednesday not knowing if they can actually cover the cost of the trip.
“We submitted a budget for the competition to SPORTT on 2nd January and it was indicated to us that the flights would be covered.” said Managing Director, Brent Sancho.
“But we were told on March 1st that we would only receive 60% of the costs. We were due to fly out on the 8th and this left us with a week to raise $65,000”
Central, who are 7 points clear of Defence Force at the top of the TTPro League, are on an unbeaten run of 13 games stretching back to December.
“The team is in great form. In fact this is the best spell in the clubs 4 year history.” said Sancho.
“Montego Bay United will be a tough test, but there is no point winning a trophy if you have an easy ride. I believe you have to beat the best to be the best. I would go as far as saying that whoever wins this game in Jamaica will go on to be the Caribbean champions”
Central also have to face the relatively unknown Scholars International from Cayman Islands while they’re in Jamaica.
“Our preparation on the field has been good. But off the field, we continually battle with finances. A cut in Government subvention would be perfectly acceptable and understandable. But coming in mid season when all clubs have created budgets based on $83,000 is a bitter blow. Even worse, the subventions are now always late. These subventions specifically cover part of the clubs salaries. We can’t tell players in January that they won’t be paid until March! To make matters worse, the cut in subvention is retrospective, so while we have spent money that we budgeted for, we will receive $33,000 per month less. “
Sancho says that the club is grateful to SPORTT chairman Michael Phillips and Anthony Creed for the support that they are giving. But the cuts are coming from higher up and there is no thought to the effect they are having.
“Because we have lost the seats that were reserved, we now have to fly a day late via Panama. To travel through Panama there is a World Health Organisation requirement that every passenger has a yellow fever vaccination certificate. So now we have to arrange yellow fever vaccinations for the entire squad and staff” said Sancho. “This will cost between $15,000 to $20,000. Ideally you would get these shots a few weeks before you travel because there will be side effects and we need our players at 100% fitness. Because of all these cuts, the shots won’t be given until Monday 7th March, two days before we travel.”
Sancho said that the club literally went begging to corporate T&T for assistance.
“To be honest, we were pleasantly surprised by the reception we received.” said Sancho. “Everyone says that Corporate T&T will not support football. But we found it completely the opposite. There were some companies that wanted to help but couldn’t, but others were adamant that Central had to defend their title. We raised $50,000 in two days, so we booked the flights and pray we can raise the outstanding amounts before we leave. I’d like to personally thank both Bankers Insurance and Ansa McAL for their support in getting us to Jamaica.”
The Sharks play Scholars International on 11th March and Montego Bay United on 13th March. Only the group winners will proceed to the CFU semi finals, from which 3 teams move forward to the Champions League.
“We will fly the flag for T&T in Jamaica and obviously we’re going there to win. But all the time, in the back of your mind, you’re worried about the future of professional football in T&T.”
Central F.C. squad for Jamaica: Elton John, Keion Goodridge, Andre Ettienne, Jason Marcano, Sean de Silva, Kadeem Corbin, Rundell Winchester, Darren Mitchell, Jamal Jack, Nicholas Dillon, Kaydion Gabriel, Michael Darko, Nathaniel Garcia, Jan-Michael Williams, Leston Paul, Kevon Villaroel, Elijah Manners, Mickaeel Gordon, Akel Clarke, Marcus Joseph.
