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Offline g

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1110 on: December 16, 2016, 05:33:47 AM »
Hmmmmm, that third world comment.

Lets examine, Saintfet interactions has almost been exclusively with the FA to date. He attended a few games around the country but I am not sure how entrenched he has been with the local club systems.

Let's remember his introductory press conference and the comments by the TTFA president, those comments seem more third world than a club president seeking to compromise on player availability.

I sensing some frustration already and i not entirely convinced its with the Pro League. He finally had an audience that wasn't the FA to express himself.
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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1111 on: December 16, 2016, 11:07:22 AM »
Hmmmmm, that third world comment.

Lets examine, Saintfet interactions has almost been exclusively with the FA to date. He attended a few games around the country but I am not sure how entrenched he has been with the local club systems.

Let's remember his introductory press conference and the comments by the TTFA president, those comments seem more third world than a club president seeking to compromise on player availability.

I sensing some frustration already and i not entirely convinced its with the Pro League. He finally had an audience that wasn't the FA to express himself.

In short, you are finally seeing his true colours, which I know was bound to come out

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Central FC delivers Christmas joy
« Reply #1112 on: December 24, 2016, 08:03:21 PM »
Central FC delivers Christmas joy
Central FC Media


Central F.C. completed their busy Christmas schedule on Friday when Managing Director, Brent Sancho delivered Christmas gifts to the Couva Children’s Home.

The Children’s Home, which houses over 25 children aged 6 months to 19, has been a frequent recipient of The Sharks generosity since the club was formed in 2012.

“One of our initial priorities when the club was formed was to interact with the Central community” said Sancho

“And while, admittedly, due to staff cuts, we haven’t been as busy as usual with community projects, we could not let Christmas pass without giving to the kids in the home”

Sancho said that the club first visited the Childrens Home back in December 2012. “It was our first Christmas in existence and we could not then have imagined the success we have achieved over the last four years”

The Sharks have lifted two successive Caribbean Club Championships as well as successive Digicel Pro League titles as well as numerous domestic trophies.

“Our policy from the outset was to play with a mainly Trinbagonian squad and prove that the trend at the time of importing legions of foreign players was not productive for the national team. We believed in the local talent and 95% of our players have been T&T nationals.”

Sancho said it was a proud moment to win a Caribbean Club Championship with a 100% Trini team. “It sent a message that not only is the Pro League a strong product, but T&T still produces the best players in the region.”

Sancho said that the clubs belief in supporting the national team has provided dividends. “We convinced forgotten national team players, like Yohance Marshall to come home and force their way back into the national team. And players such as Darren Mitchell, Leston Paul, Nathaniel Garcia, Jason Marcano, Kevon Villaroel, Jamal Jack, Kaydion Gabriel, Ataulla Guerra, Sean de Silva, Andre Ettienne, Marvin Phillips, Willis Plaza and Marcus Joseph were Sharks who gained caps with the national team.”

Central F.C. have continued with their tradition of binging back national team players by this week announcing the signing of Julius James. James, who has won 16 caps for T&T has spent his career in USA with the likes of Fort Lauderdale Strikers, D.C. United and Houston Dynamo, and has never played professionally in T&T.

“Julius is a great defender and I’ve tried to encourage him back to T&T before” said Sancho. “I’m glad he’s finally come home and he brings with him exciting possibilities for Central as we prepare for our attempt to create history by winning three successive Caribbean titles”

Central will also be eyeing a third successive Pro League title and will start the new year with a 4 point margin over 2nd place W Connection with just 6 games remaining in what has now become a two horse race.

“There’s still a lot of football to be played” said Sancho. “I’ve told the players not to look back over their shoulders. Forget about who’s chasing you and focus on the finish line. Each game is a cup final because it takes us a step nearer to achieving something that will never be repeated.”

With Central unbeaten in 12 league matches this season, it would take a brave man to bet against them, but Sancho insists that his players won’t relax until the final game. “The four points give us some breathing space, but as long as we finish the last game with one point more than Connection, I’ll be happy”
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Offline Flex

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1113 on: February 03, 2017, 03:34:50 AM »
Sancho: Central FC excited over three-peat prospect.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


BRENT SANCHO, owner and managing director of Digicel Pro League table-toppers Central FC, has acknowledged that the squad, as well as the technical staff, are excited over the prospect of completing a historic three-peat on Sunday.

Central FC lead the 10-team standings with 44 points from 17 games, one more than W Connection, with the final round of matches taking place this weekend.

Simultaneously on Sunday, at 3.30 pm, Central FC will face third-placed San Juan Jabloteh (29 points) at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva while, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Connection will square off against fourth-placed Ma Pau Stars (28 points).

And Central FC, who were formed in 2012, will be hoping results go their way on Sunday to become the first club to earn a hat-trick of Pro League crowns.

“I think everybody is quite excited about the possibility of creating history,” said Sancho, in a telephone interview yesterday.

“I think, on top of that, you look at a bunch of guys that have been together for some time and have achieved well in the sport and now looking at a possible one game of creating history and leaving a legacy behind.

“They’re all excited. That is what you dream about as a footballer, to play in big games that mean a lot, and to get a result from it. It’s a lot of excitement within the camp.” With Central in existence for a few years, and on the cusp of history concerning a hat-trick of titles, is the management team tense or are they taking things in stride? “We’ve always been a trendsetting club,” Sancho responded.

“The club was built on the pillars of belief that we wanted to change the way that professional sport, in particular football, was viewed in the country. We wanted to do things differently.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have the right staff and the right personnel that have been part and parcel of building the fabric at Central FC, from the inception till now. We’ve been very consistent in our approach, as it relates to the sport.

“Despite the fact that we’ve had our challenges throughout, we’ve always maintained our focus,” added the former Trinidad and Tobago defender. “That’s one thing about the club, we’ve maintained a level of focus throughout.

We’ve been able to continue to build, not just here locally but overseas as well, to make sure we have a brand and have an international appeal as well.” Another former TT player, Dale Saunders, took over from Ross Russell midway into the 2015-2016 season and guided the team to the title that year.

Now, the ex-midfielder has earn the admiration of Sancho for his results this season - Central have won 14 games and lost only once in the League.

“One thing about Dale Saunders (is) he’s very unassuming,” Sancho said. “When you look at what he’s been able to achieve in the local game, not just here at Central but before when he was at Joe Public, he was part of a winning structure there. This is a very talented coach who I think of belief that we wanted to change the way that professional sport, in particular football, was viewed in the country. We wanted to do things differently.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have the right staff and the right personnel that have been part and parcel of building the fabric at Central FC, from the inception till now. We’ve been very consistent in our approach, as it relates to the sport.

“Despite the fact that we’ve had our challenges throughout, we’ve always maintained our focus,” added the former Trinidad and Tobago defender. “That’s one thing about the club, we’ve maintained a level of focus throughout.

We’ve been able to continue to build, not just here locally but overseas as well, to make sure we have a brand and have an international appeal as well.” Another former TT player, Dale Saunders, took over from Ross Russell midway into the 2015-2016 season and guided the team to the title that year.

Now, the ex-midfielder has earn the admiration of Sancho for his results this season - Central have won 14 games and lost only once in the League.

“One thing about Dale Saunders (is) he’s very unassuming,” Sancho said. “When you look at what he’s been able to achieve in the local game, not just here at Central but before when he was at Joe Public, he was part of a winning structure there. This is a very talented coach who I think.

RELATED NEWS

Pro League crowning on Sunday; Central and Connection ready to flex muscles on D-day.
ttproleague.com.


Leaders Central FC are three points away from successfully completing a historic three-peat in the Digicel Pro League.

But with Couva rivals W Connection hot on their heels – one point behind in second – and both sides facing the next best teams on the deciding day, Sunday, the league crown can go either way in the two-team race.

Central (44 points), champions of 2014-15 and 2015-16, must face third positioned San Juan Jabloteh in their final league game on Sunday from 3:30pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Simultaneously at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, Connection (43 points) will host fourth-positioned Ma Pau Stars.

Connection are on a seven-game winning streak since losing 2-1 to Central on December 12, while the Couva Sharks are on a four-game winning run and are coming off last week’s 6-0 win over St. Ann’s Rangers.

However, their opponents Jabloteh (29 points) and Ma Pau (28 points) are also in a two-team battle of their own for a respectable third-place finish this season.

Jabloteh, last season's runners-up also preparing for upcoming CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers in March in the Caribbean Club Championship, are coming off last week’s 1-0 loss against Connection. It was the second loss for the San Juan Kings in the January month that included three wins.

Ma Pau, meanwhile, are undefeated in their last four outings with three wins, inclusive of full points against two-time reigning Caribbean champions Central, and one draw.

“At Central FC winning is a part of us,” said Central FC head coach Dale Saunders on Wednesday during the launch and seeded draw of this season’s Digicel Pro Bowl knockout tournament.

Saunders said the work of the full Couva Sharks coaching staff—that includes the support of 2006 Trinidad and Tobago World Cup players Stern John and Brent Sancho—has been fantastic.

John serves as Technical Coach, while Sancho, the club’s Managing Director, is also known to put his knowledge of the game on the training pitch, as both ex-Trinidad and Tobago internationals had extensive careers on two continents.

“We are on the verge of winning a three-peat [in the League],” added Saunders. “…and we will try to go all the way.”

Earlier this month Stuart Charles-Fevrier, head coach of five-time league winners (2000, 2001, 2005, 2011-12 & 2013-14) W Connection, said, “We want to win the league [this season] like everyone else. We have definitely improved in our results and I hope we can keep the consistency for the rest of the season. [But] we only have control over our games. So we must remain focused.”

Fevrier was honoured on Wednesday with The Fan Club Coach of the Month reward for January. His team’s one hundred percent win record blew off all competition.

Saunders, who led Central to season’s Digicel Charity Shield winners and Rawle Fletcher (DPL Round One) trophy, received The Fan Club Coach of the Month for October with his team’s performances during the period setting the tone for the Couva Sharks title defence.

While Marvin Gordon won back-to-back The Fan Club Coach of the Month for November and December. The Defence Force head coach beat off all competition during the two months which included his side lifting the First Citizens Cup.

Gordon and his Defence Force side will travel to Mahaica Oval on Saturday against hosts Point Fortin Civic from 5pm in their final league game. But the weekend’s final day league fixtures rolls off on Friday with a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium when Club Sando take on Rangers from 6pm and two hours later Morvant Caledonia United face Police.

Upcoming Fixtures.

(Friday 3 February 2017)

Ato Boldon Stadium
Club Sando vs St. Ann’s Rangers—6pm
Morvant Caledonia United vs Police FC—8pm

(Saturday 4 February 2017)

Mahaica Oval
Point Fortin Civic vs Defence Force—5pm

(Sunday 5 February 2017)

Ato Boldon Stadium
Central FC vs San Juan Jabloteh—3:30pm

Manny Ramjohn Stadium
W Connection vs Ma Pau Stars—3:30pm

« Last Edit: February 03, 2017, 03:52:09 AM by Flex »
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1114 on: February 07, 2017, 04:26:58 AM »
Congrats to Central on winning the title.

Could someone confirm that Central has been given a bye to the next round of the CFU Club Championship?

Offline maxg

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1115 on: February 07, 2017, 10:29:22 AM »
Congrats to Central on winning the title.

Could someone confirm that Central has been given a bye to the next round of the CFU Club Championship?
Congratulations Central FC in truth. Was a good race to the finish, even with all the baccanahal surrounding our National and International football and it's association.

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1116 on: February 07, 2017, 01:57:18 PM »
Congrats to Central and big up Sancho and FS!!!
After dominating at home and the CFU time to start make waves in Concacaf

Offline Flex

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1117 on: February 08, 2017, 03:32:55 AM »
No money for treble bonus.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


BRENT SANCHO, owner of 2016-2017 Digicel Pro League kings Central FC, is revelling in his team’s accomplishment of becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to capture a treble of titles, after also triumphing in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons.

“It’s something that is easy to draw up on paper but to actually accomplish it is a phenomenal achievement,” said Sancho.

But despite lifting the trophy for three straight years, there will be no bonus payments for their players and technical staff for the foreseeable future since the club is unsure when they will get their $1 million jackpot.

To date, Central FC, who completed the league treble after their 1-0 win over San Juan Jabloteh at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva last Sunday, are yet to receive their million-dollar prize for winning the 2015-2016 season, and have not collected their full earnings from topping the 2014-2015 edition either.

“It is almost disastrous at this level,” said Sancho. “This is our third year winning and we’re still awaiting (most of) our prize monies from the first year. We have gotten none from the second year and now we’ve gone into our third year and these players deserve to be given bonuses for the work that they’ve put in.”

The ex-Sports Minister and Trinidad and Tobago footballer continued, “It’s a struggle. These players deserve bonuses and deserve to get what they’ve put in work for. We haven’t been able to do that because we’re still awaiting it, on top of the fact that we don’t know if there will be a subvention coming into the Pro League (next) season, which is another challenge.

“As much as winning three times in a row is great, it’s some serious challenges ahead. With no real corporate TT inside and questions being unanswered as it relates to subventions, I don’t know how long clubs will continue along this line.”

Concerning who funds the prize monies for the league, Sancho noted, “the provider is the Government and, I would imagine, coupled with (major sponsor) Digicel.” But he bemoaned, “there is nothing from the Sports Company (of Trinidad and Tobago), nothing from the Minister of Sport (Darryl Smith) regarding whether or not we’ll be guaranteed subvention going into next season.”

Sancho is hopeful that Pro League Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene and the Sports Minister will be able to resolve both matters (prize monies and subventions) as soon as possible.

“We’ve tried to be patient,” said Sancho. “We want to see the League develop but it’s only so patient we could be.” Sancho added that there seems to be little consideration for local football with the Sports Ministry not acknowledging their historic three-peat. Efforts to reach Skeene proved futile up to press time last evening.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline maxg

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1118 on: February 08, 2017, 09:39:05 AM »
“It is almost disastrous at this level,” said Sancho. “This is our third year winning and we’re still awaiting (most of) our prize monies from the first year. We have gotten none from the second year and now we’ve gone into our third year and these players deserve to be given bonuses for the work that they’ve put in.”


buh wta iz dis !   :frustrated: is really a Un-Pro league..talk about 1 step forward, 2 steps backward, except we doing 3 steps back, and wondering why the players not motivated.

Offline Deeks

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1119 on: February 08, 2017, 03:56:55 PM »
Like many of us on the forum have stated before, depending on govt to carry the weight of the pro-league is unworkable.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2017, 11:22:01 PM by Deeks »

Offline maxg

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1120 on: February 08, 2017, 10:19:25 PM »
Reminds me of the ole Dead Donkey raffle...

Offline jusbless

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1121 on: February 09, 2017, 05:16:53 AM »
So let me get this right . The government have to give the clubs a subvention to pay wages and provide prize money for the winners. If that is the case then it is safe to assume that these pro league clubs all make deficits . None can be profitable . Because if they are it is only due to taxpayers . Cant be declaring profit when government is giving you a subvention to pay wages

Offline Flex

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1122 on: February 17, 2017, 01:03:02 PM »
Undervalued & Ignored – Central F.C.'s reward for making history.
Central FC Release.


Central F.C. goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams steered his club into the Digicel Pro Bowl finals by scoring the winning penalty against Club Sando. In a thrilling sudden death shoot-out, Williams saved the 8th Club Sando penalty and then calmly stepped up to fire past his opposite number and set up a final clash vs Defence Force.

But Williams focus after the game was Minister of Sport, Daryl Smith, who, according to the first choice national goalkeeper, is disrespecting professional football in T&T.

“When we won our second successive Caribbean Club Championship last year, we received no recognition from Minister Smith” said Williams. “It was the highest profile sporting achievement by any team from T&T in 2016, yet we didn't even receive a letter of congratulations” The club did receive a congratulatory letter from both the President of FIFA and CONCACAF, commenting on the outstanding achievement.

“It's very disappointing as a player in our national sport to see the lack of respect for our achievements” added Williams.

Central F.C. Managing Director, Brent Sancho remains mystified by the lack of interest from Minister Smith.

“Of course, being a former Minister of Sport for the opposition, people would expect me to criticise Daryl Smith. I try to steer clear of political statements but I cannot stay quiet any longer. As a former footballer, I am amazed that the Minister has never acknowledged the TT Pro League clubs. He has refused to meet individual clubs and has taken no interest in the professional league, yet he's held meetings with the new Super League owners, which has not yet been formally ratified by TTFA.”

Sancho said that the actions of the Minister of Sport directly affect the support available from potential sponsors. “It's crazy because on one hand the Minister is cutting funding to the Pro League and saying clubs need to be more self sufficient, but he does nothing to help them achieve this. He should be regularly speaking of the accomplishments of the Pro League, which would greatly assist clubs in become self funded.”

Sancho pointed out that Central F.C. are the only club from T&T to win the CFU Caribbean Club Championship back to back while also winning their domestic league. “It's an incredible achievement especially when you recognise that Central has only 1 foreign player. We won the CFU with a 100% local team!”

Central again made history last week by becoming the first Pro League club to win the Championship 3 yeas in succession.

“These are not small achievements” said Sancho. “This is the top league in the Caribbean. We will never see this repeated, yet Minister Smith chooses to ignore us again and instead prefers to give out prizes at coaching schools. Its a nice thing to do, but not at the expense of historic feats taking place on your watch.”

Sancho feels that Smith is attempting to shut down the professional league. “There can be no other explanation. OK, you make cost cutting decisions, but why start at the top? Our professional football is admired overseas. It provides employment for hundreds of people, many of whom would possibly find it difficult to secure meaningful employment elsewhere. Imagine what we could achieve with proper support from the Ministry of Sport and Corporate T&T”

Meanwhile, Central continue to build their brand overseas.

19 year old Nicholas Dillon, has joined Belgian 2nd Division club, K.Patro Maasmechelen. His Central team mate, Nathaniel Garcia is expected to join him shortly at the Belgian club. Another of Central F.C.'s talented young players, Jem Gordon has departed to USA for trials.

Sancho said that the club, which has been meeting with potential investors over the last 18 months, is near to clinching a partnership with a consortium that has interests in several clubs across Europe.

“These things don't move quickly” said Sancho “The interest in Central is dependent on several other deals going through in Europe. All we can do is carry on winning titles to ensure that the interest remains while they complete their affairs. However, I would estimate that there's a 90% chance of new investors coming on board before we compete in the CFU finals in May.”

Everyone at Central also wishes to congratulate Stern John on his appointment as Assistant Coach to the national team. His appointment reflects the hard work he has put into the club over the last season and a half and his influence on the team is apparent from the clubs continued success.

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Offline Deeks

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1123 on: February 17, 2017, 03:51:57 PM »
Our professional football is admired overseas. 

Jan, I understand your pain, but you sure about the above statement?

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1124 on: February 17, 2017, 04:03:13 PM »
Our professional football is admired overseas. 

Jan, I understand your pain, but you sure about the above statement?

He forgot the "er"
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Offline congo

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1125 on: February 21, 2017, 07:16:26 PM »
SO after the state essentially funded your league and kept it going you want the gobberment and Minister of Sport to give you a pat on the back for your achievements....LMAO.....These men serious? Somebody talk some sense into them pleaseeeeeeee

Offline Flex

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1126 on: February 24, 2017, 04:08:55 AM »
Skeene: Champs to wait on Govt for $$ payment.
T&T Newsday Reports.


CENTRAL FC, the three-time champions of the Digicel Pro League, will have to wait a while longer before they get their $1 million jackpot for their successful 2016-2017 campaign.

Central FC owner Brent Sancho has been vocal in his call for the League to pay outstanding winnings to the club, who have got partial payments of their 2014-2015 million-dollar earnings but nothing for their 2015-2016 conquest.

Dexter Skeene, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TT Pro League, said, “that is a norm within the league. For those of us who have been in the league from inception, we understand that the prize monies are paid the year after and continuing throughout because, if you understand how Government subventions (are) paid, it is not paid in the particular year.” Skeene, the former national striker, pointed out, “you get it whenever the Government has money. So the ability to pay funds should not be based on purely prize monies.

“That is something that you get accustomed to, as you go along, in the league, this year especially,” he went on to say. “I understand Central FC. They are crying out. They want to be able to have the funds because they’re involved in the CONCACAF Club Championships as well. We’re trying to make every effort to assist them.

“We hope that they go out and represent us well. They’re one of our top clubs. They’ve won it three times, congratulations to them, they’ve done remarkably well given the circumstances and we hope that they go out and represent us in the (Club Championships) and help us to reach further than they have done in the past.”

Looking back at the 2016-2017 season, which also saw Defence Force winning both the First Citizens Cup and the Digicel Pro Bowl, Skeene remarked, “if you look at the league this year as well, there was a lot of competition on the last day.

We had two teams who still could have won the tournament and you had improvements from teams like Rangers, Club Sando (and) Defence Force. So I’m pleased with the level of competition and the efforts made by the teams.

“We also want to thank the Government and the Minister (of Sport Darryl Smith) for supporting the league throughout the season. We know that we have difficult economic times in the country and football is no different. Just like every other industry, we would have to take our cuts as well. But the Ministry has been supporting the clubs with their subventions.”

On the issue of community grounds staging league games on a regular basis, Skeene said, “the Minister has given his full support to ensure that the community grounds, which is something that his high and first on my radar, in terms of ensuring that teams have an asset that they can monetise, that they can grow their fanbase.”

Concerning the 2017 season, Skeene said, “we have reverted back to the April-December season, in line with the MLS. There are always advantages and disadvantages in it because in the past, with the other season, August-May, we were able to be in competition when we were playing the Caribbean (Club Championships).

Now we’ll not be in competition when they’re playing the Caribbean (Club Championships).

“It’s a double-edged sword and that’s the disadvantage of going back. But, however, we would not be playing in the Christmas and Carnival periods. We expect to grow from strength to strength and to improve the standard of football, to improve the attendances and the main thing that we’re looking it is the grounds in the communities,” he ended.

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Offline Sam

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1127 on: February 24, 2017, 06:50:11 AM »
Ah wonder if Skeene does have to wait for he pay?

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1128 on: February 25, 2017, 06:16:57 AM »
Mandeville knocks “Central cowards” for supposedly belittling Latapy in unsigned release.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Russell Latapy’s business manager, Wayne Mandeville, has hit back at Pro League champions Central FC for their “cowardly” attack on the Trinidad and Tobago football icon, as both parties continue to trade words in a furore that started with a critical statement aimed at Sport Minister Darryl Smith.

Last Friday, Central managing director Brent Sancho and goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams knocked Smith for his failure to publicly acknowledge the club’s accomplishments, after their third successive Pro League title—an unprecedented feat—and back to back Caribbean club trophies.

Sancho was Smith’s predecessor as Sport Minister for the UNC-led People’s Partnership Government, which was replaced by the PNM on 7 September 2015.

Within a day of Central’s opening salvo, Williams backed down from his stance and said, via the TTFA website, that he had been used by the club for its own ends. Despite the retraction, Latapy blasted the talented goalkeeper for his initial statement and suggested that Williams had not done enough to demand recognition.

It prompted a fierce response from Central today in an unsigned release, which referred to Latapy’s statement as “shameful” and questioned his motives for speaking on the issue at all. The club statement further referred to Latapy as “one of [the TTFA’s] junior coaches.”

But Mandeville said Central were speaking with a lack of credibility once they got into the business of issuing unsigned press statements.

“It is a cowardly act for any organisation to issue a public statement or position on an issue with the express objective of attempting to devalue one’s creditability and accomplishments,” Mandeville told Wired868, “and not have the testicular fortitude nor courage to affix a name at the end of the release.

“It is therefore apparent that this person and/or organisation should not be taken with one iota of seriousness. Clearly there is a lack of business acumen, emotional intelligence, structure, methodology and creditability concerns as to their conduct.

“If you are going to put out a release, then sign it. If I send out a letter and don’t sign it, it has no value. And you can quote me on that.”

Mandeville said Latapy’s initial criticism of Williams was meant to be a public defence of the Sport Minister, whose office he felt had been disrespected by the club and the player.

And he accused Central of adding to their perceived inappropriate behaviour by now training their guns on the “Little Magician.”

“They are attempting to belittle Russell by talking about him as a junior coach,” said Mandeville, “because he has accomplished things as an assistant coach in the Scotland Premier League and he was also a former national coach.

“They might say he is coaching the junior teams now but that is showing a disrespect for his accomplishments and trying to look down on him. Russell’s accomplishments are globally recognised and documented for the world to see and continue to appreciate.”

But was Latapy also disrespectful when he referred to the 32-year-old Williams as “kid” and downplayed the Central custodian’s accomplishments?

Mandeville said Latapy’s own cutting remarks were in reference to Williams’ behaviour and not aimed personally at the Soca Warriors star.

“I think Russell is referring to his behaviour there and there is also a run up to that with his behaviour with [ex-National Senior Team medic Dr Terrence] Babwah,” said Mandeville. “How can Jan-Michael publicly chastise Babwah by saying the players don’t want him working with them? He was also one of the players who were behind the problems with [former National Senior Team head coach] Stephen [Hart] while Russell fully supported Stephen.

“But the fact is he is a kid compared to Russell; and what Russell accomplished, he has not yet accomplished. If you want to line up accomplishments, it is chalk and cheese.”

His victims here are former England captain Paul Ince (left) and France World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff.
Latapy won league titles in Portugal and Scotland with FC Porto and Glasgow Rangers respectively and played UEFA Champions League football with both teams. He is also a Trinidad and Tobago Hall of Fame athlete and represented the Warriors at the Germany 2006 World Cup, alongside Sancho.

Was there any bad blood between Latapy and Williams—who he coached before at National Senior Team level—or Sancho?

Is there any bad blood between Latapy and Sancho or Jan-Michael?

“That’s a good question,” said Mandeville. “I would say there is no issue with Jan-Michael from Russell’s perspective.”

But is there any animosity between Latapy and Sancho?

“Tell me what you think,” said Mandeville.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1129 on: March 06, 2017, 05:04:37 AM »
Central FC coach Saunders lauds players, staff.
T&T Newsday Reports.


DALE SAUNDERS, coach of the Central FC team who completed a hat-trick of Digicel Pro League titles last month, lauded the players and his fellow technical staff members for their efforts during the 2016-2017 season.

About the season he commented, “a great feeling, a fantastic effort from the players and the technical staff. We lost (the Pro Bowl final to Defence Force) but we won overall. So credit the players, the technical staff....they have done a fantastic job.

“To win three back-to-back (League) titles is not an easy thing. The players have worked their socks off and we applaud them.” Asked what kept the team going this past season, Saunders, the ex-Trinidad and Tobago midfielder replied, “I think the right attitude (by) the players. They have a wonderful relationship with the technical staff.

“I think the players have bought in to the philosophy of the club,” he added. “Winning is an attitude by Central FC and I think they have bought in to that. We pride ourselves on hard work on the training ground, and they have done very well this season. So credit to the players.” With the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) Club Championships beginning this month, Central FC will have to focus on the defence of their title.

“What we would do is give them a little rest,” said Saunders about the team’s plans for the forthcoming event. “As a staff we would sit down and plan it going forward, and then we would bring them back in and get it going once again.” Saunders’ deputy Stern John has been recently appointed as assistant to national coach Dennis Lawrence.

Saunders noted, “at the end of the day, he’s a Central FC coach. We give him all of our blessings to go and work with the national team but, at the end of the day, he’s a Central FC coach.”

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1130 on: May 11, 2017, 01:49:54 AM »
Central’s Sancho, former coaches fall out over Flow money.
By Ian Prescott (Express).


FORMER Sport Minister Brent Sancho and two former Central FC youth team coaches are all threatening court action over a dispute with regard to the youth football programme at the club.

Young coaches Shem Alexander and Adrian Romain, former footballers themselves, are alleging that Central FC received sponsorship funding for their youth programme but did not pass it on to the teams while they (Alexander and Romain) were in charge. The dispute revolves around Flow Trinidad sponsorship money given to Youth Pro League teams, to assist with the transportation of players to matches.

Central FC co-owner and managing director Sancho has denied allegations made by the two men and has threatened to take the parties to court if public statements are made.

“That is positively, absolutely not true. That is ridiculously not true,” Sancho vehemently stated.

“Anything that is printed or purported in the newspapers, we definitely going to court because that is ridiculous. That is definitely beyond ridiculous.” he continued. “My lawyers have told me don't make any comment on it. But we will be taking anything that is printed to court. For sure.”

Alexander and Romain are seeking reimbursement to the tune of $26,200, mainly for transport and minor expenses incurred during the period March 6, 2016 and March 18, 2017, when they were in charge of the Central FC youth teams. Several efforts at arbitration have failed.

Alexander said: “We have spoken to a lawyer and have been advised to take the matter to the high court.”

When contacted, Trinidad and Tobago Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene confirmed that all Pro League clubs had received assistance with transport from a $900,000 Flow sponsorship announced earlier this year by Cindy-Ann Gatt, Flow's Director of Marketing, at the 2017 season launch. The communications services provider is in the second term of a three-season partnership with the League.

Replying to direct Express questions, a clearly uncomfortable Skeene said: “The teams receive $10,000 for transport. For the tournament.”

Quizzed again, the Pro League CEO also admitted that for 2017, $10,000 in transport funding had already been passed on to Central FC out of the Flow sponsorship money.

Central FC has since informed the Pro League that the two men are no longer attached to the team. But until their partnership was annulled recently, Romain and Alexander managed Central FC youth teams in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Flow Youth Pro League before falling out with club management over money.

Central FC are currently lying at the bottom of the Under 15 division of the Flow Youth Pro League, defaulting against Club Sando and suffering an eighth-straight loss as a result. Central are also one from bottom of the U-17 division but they are at mid-table in the U-13 division.

They are scheduled to play three matches against W Connection on Sunday.

Alexander and Romaine said that, having been attached to El Dorado West and St Augustine Secondary teams in the schools league for the past two seasons, they approached Central FC with the idea of representing the club in the Youth Pro League.

Most Trinidad and Tobago Pro League clubs franchise out to established youth teams to fulfill the Pro League statutes requiring all their teams to have a development programme. It saves the clubs the money required to directly assemble a youth team and also gives young players the chance to be associated with a “big” club.

The arrangement, which began in early 2016, saw Romain and Alexander take charge of the Central FC youth programme, using players from El Dorado West Secondary School as Central FC in the Flow Youth Pro League.

While admitting that Sancho did not want to directly invest in a youth team, they allege he had agreed to assist with transportation and small expenses, while also providing Central FC uniforms for the El Dorado West Secondary School players to wear when representing his club.

Their dispute stems from the allegations that Central FC received transport money from the Flow sponsorship, but distributed none to the teams. Instead, the coaches claim, they bore most of the burden associated with getting the teams to matches, except for occasional help from organisations like the YMCA.

The Express asked why should Sancho be responsible for paying team transport when he had indicated up front only reluctant interest in having youth teams in the first place.

“That is all well and good, but if you have a team competing in a Flow sponsored Youth Pro League and Flow gives money for transport, then it should be put into the team,” Alexander argued.

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1131 on: May 11, 2017, 10:34:02 AM »
The Express asked why should Sancho be responsible for paying team transport when he had indicated up front only reluctant interest in having youth teams in the first place.

“That is all well and good, but if you have a team competing in a Flow sponsored Youth Pro League and Flow gives money for transport, then it should be put into the team,” Alexander argued.


"the express" is ah kakahole ah wha?!! ::)

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1132 on: May 11, 2017, 07:11:48 PM »
The Express asked why should Sancho be responsible for paying team transport when he had indicated up front only reluctant interest in having youth teams in the first place.

“That is all well and good, but if you have a team competing in a Flow sponsored Youth Pro League and Flow gives money for transport, then it should be put into the team,” Alexander argued.


"the express" is ah kakahole ah wha?!! ::)
:rotfl: :rotfl:

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1133 on: May 14, 2017, 09:21:53 PM »
Foreign legion: Central FC fly in 12 players on three-week contracts for Caribbean Cup
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Central FC will attempt to become the first club in Caribbean history to win three successive regional titles when the final round of the Caribbean Club Championships gets going on Sunday 14 May. And the “Couva Sharks” will seek to do so with possibly up to a dozen players who could have left the country again before the Pro League season kicks off on 26 May 2017.

Operations director Kevin Harrison confirmed that Central retained just eight first team players from last season and have compensated for those departures with bulk imports.

At present, United States midfielder Graham Smith, Jamaican goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, Haitian central defender Simil Fresnel and Antiguan defender Vashami Allen are registered to represent Central at the Caribbean Club Championships. Thompson has seven senior international caps for Jamaica  while the 20-year-old Allen has two senior international caps and is considered a hot prospect for Antigua and Barbuda.

San Juan Jabloteh open the final round of the regional competition with a clash against Haitian outfit Racing FC at 5:30pm while Central face Antiguan team Grenades FC from 8pm in a Hasely Crawford Stadium double header.

Apart from the four new foreign imports, the Sharks are awaiting international clearance for a further five English players, two Haitians and a Gambian player.

All 12, according to Harrison, will be able to play in the Caribbean’s marquee club competition, be paid and leave Trinidad without requiring work permits from the Ministry of National Security.

“The work permit rule says foreigners can come and work for up to 30 days without a work permit,” Harrison told Wired868. “So they will be here and gone before the 30 days expire.”

Since the Pro League season starts after the Caribbean Club Championship is completed, the long distance dozen can play in the tournament that serves as a qualifier for the CONCACAF Champions League without ever actually representing Central in Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic competition. Wired868 was unable to reach Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene for comment.

However, Harrison said Central will consider offering three month contracts to any of the international players who impress, which could see them remain until August so they can compete in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage if necessary.

CONCACAF pays teams US$40,000 for each away match once they get to the Champions League group stage.

“Before they left their countries to come here, we made sure they had all the documents they need [for us to apply for their work permits] like certificates of character from their local police and so on,” said Harrison. “So they brought those things just in case we kept them.

“Once they have applied for their work permits, they can be registered for the Pro League and play. So it is no problem.”

Coincidentally, Harrison anticipates that it would take at least four months for players to actually receive their work permits, once their applications are successful. It means that, apart from the first 30 days, the foreign players may be able to play for Central but not to be paid salaries.

“Last year, [athletes] got work permit exemptions that took just three weeks to process but that has been scrapped and now it can take up to four months to get your permit approved,” said Harrison. “So they will be able to play in the Pro League but we won’t be able to pay them a wage. We can only give them a stipend until they get a work permit.”

It is, Wired868 noted, a situation that might suit a club that has often been accused of reneging on promised salaries and bonuses for players and staff. Harrison insisted that using loopholes to exploit foreign labour was the last thing on his mind.

“I guess you can be cynical and say that [it will save us money],” said Harrison. “But we still have to pay for their work permit applications, which are TT$1,000 each and we have to pay for their accommodation. So it is not like they are not costing us anything.

“If you want to be cynical, you can say we are saving some money but we are not looking at that because that will be immoral.”

Harrison claimed that the foreign players will earn roughly US$750 (TT$5,000) a month—when the work permit law allows them to be paid—plus accommodation. Central hope the Haitian players, in particular, win moves to Europe as soon as possible, which will be dream opportunities for the French-speaking islanders but also means that the Couva-based Pro League club could earn a tidy profit for employees that they paid just one month’s salary.

The foreign legion apart, Central retained just six regular first team players from their 2016/17 conquest who are: midfielders Nathaniel Garcia and Sean De Silva, defenders Kaydion Gabriel and Keston George and attackers Jason Marcano and Johan Peltier.

Tyrik John, the son of assistant coach and record Trinidad and Tobago goal scorer Stern John, has also remained after breaking into the team late last season. And so has Guyanese goalkeeper Akil Clarke, who was often back-up to Soca Warriors custodian and new North East Stars recruit Jan-Michael Williams.

The other local players who joined the Sharks’ roster during the pre-season are defender Sean Bateau and international players Carlos Edwards, Taryk Sampson and Seon Power.

Club Sando and Trinidad and Tobago forward Akeem Roach was also at Central on loan but withdrew from the arrangement of his own volition and informed Sando that he will not sign a new deal when his current contract ends on 31 May 2017. Most likely, Roach will attempt to move abroad on a free transfer.

The rest of the current Central squad, according to Harrison, are mostly young locals. Central’s homegrown players were offered either three month or eight contracts. The latter deal will take the players to the end of the upcoming Pro League season, which finishes in December 2017.

The Sharks’ massive turnover of players is a markedly different philosophy to their neighbours, San Juan Jabloteh, who have kept the bulk of their squad from last season.

“I like a family atmosphere with players who are accustomed to each other,” Jabloteh coach Keith Jeffrey told Wired868. “I want chemistry and I want players to gel.”

Still, Jabloteh have sought to freshen things up tactically for the upcoming season. The “San Juan Kings” qualified for the Caribbean competition by virtue of their second place Pro League finish in 2015/16 but, earlier this year, they ended in third spot and trailed winners Central by a whopping 18 points.

Jeffrey’s response was to overhaul his offensive line-up, which meant that giant forward Jamal Gay was sacrificed for a faster, more direct approach.

“We want to be quicker and more direct and dynamic this season,” said Jeffrey. “So we have moved on most of the players who would slow the game down for guys who are quick and handle the ball better. If you look at the top teams in the world, you don’t see much hold-up play any more…

“Before I made this decision, I tried it in practice and used the players who like to hold it up against the players who are faster and like to pass and move. And every time, the players who play faster have won the game.”

In fact, Jabloteh have not registered a single traditional forward for the Caribbean Club Championship.

Tricky Guyanese winger Vurlon Mills is likely to play as a “false nine” with workmanlike and versatile Jamaican midfielder Keithy Simpson behind him. Although, as always, lightening fast Soca Warriors winger Nathan Lewis should be key to their chances of success.

Jabloteh have six foreign players in their 21-man squad for the Caribbean competition, which also includes Grenada international goalkeeper Shemel Louison, Guyanese custodian Andrew Durant, Panamanian midfielder Jairo Lombardo and Jamaicans Adrian Reid and Damian Williams. Williams, a tidy midfield organiser, is the club captain while Reid is a solid defender and penalty specialist.

All six represented the club last season while, Lombardo apart, the rest have campaigned in the Pro League for between three to 10 years.

Jabloteh should also add Venezuelan winger Jose Parra to their ranks in time for the Pro League. But in talented young locals like Kadeem Corbin, Josiah Trimmingham, Micah Lansiquot, Shakiyl Phillip and Aquil Campbell, the Kings believe they have an exciting project for the future.

Warriors defender Carlyle Mitchell and former Trinity College East attacking midfielder Sean Bonval should also join the Jabloteh team as soon as they recover from injury.

“I looked at [Jamaican team] Portmore via SportsMax and I think we will do well against them,” said Jeffrey. “We are at home and expect to have the backing of the crowd and we are accustomed to the Hasely Crawford Stadium. We also have a good idea of what Jamaican and Haiti teams can do.

“I know Central have brought in a lot of foreigners on loan but I stick to chemistry and I believe that will take us far.”

Jabloteh and Central are drawn in two different groups and the two winners will contest the final. The Caribbean champion automatically qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League which kicks off in February 2018 while the remaining three teams will play in the CONCACAF League, which runs from August to October 2017.

The CONCACAF League winner will advance to next year’s Champions League.

For different reasons, it should be an intriguing battle for either Pro League team.

San Juan Jabloteh

Goalkeepers: Shemel Louison, Andrew Durant, Javon Sample;

Defenders: Adrian Reid, Akeem Benjamin, Jevon Morris, Kion Joseph, Shakiyl Phillip, Josiah Trimmingham;

Midfielders: Damian Williams, Elijah Manners, Micah Lansiquot, Keithy Simpson;

Attackers: Aquil Campbell, Nathan Lewis, Jairo Lombardo, Kennedy Hinkson, Julio Noel, Hayden Tinto, Kadeem Corbin, Vurlon Mills.

Central FC (so far)

Goalkeepers: Ryan Thompson, Akil Clarke;

Defenders: Carlos Edwards, Kaydion Gabriel, Keston George, Taryk Sampson, Seon Power, Sean Bateau, Simil Fresnel, Vashami Allen;

Midfielders: Sean De Silva, Nathaniel Garcia, Graham Smith;

Attackers: Jason Marcano, Johan Peltier, Tyrik John.

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1134 on: August 05, 2017, 01:39:36 AM »
Heard Edwards might leave Central FC among other players. Central FC not paying the players and when they do players have to beg them.

I think the club is about to fold up, not sure if they got their prize money as yet, but I hope they do.

The Super League is better run.



« Last Edit: August 05, 2017, 04:13:21 AM by Insider »

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1135 on: August 05, 2017, 06:54:00 AM »
I can’t handle the dishonesty! Veteran Warriors star Carlos Edwards vows to quit Central FC.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


“They are too disrespectful in terms of how they treat and pay their players,” veteran Trinidad and Tobago international and Central FC full-back Carlos Edwards told Wired868. “And when they do pay, it as is if you have to beg for your own money. When you make a commitment and it comes time to produce and you’re not producing, we have a problem.

“Just deal with me straight up; and, if you can’t do that, it doesn’t make sense I give 100 percent.”

Those are likely to be Edwards’ parting words as a Pro League player, as the former England Premier League and World Cup 2006 winger appears set to leave Trinidad and return to Britain.

Edwards should have been at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last night, as Central faced Árabe Unido in CONCACAF League Round of 16 action. However, he boycotted the match in protest of the club’s management.

In the post-game news conference after Central’s 2-1 loss, the “Couva Sharks” assistant coach Stern John said Edwards was given time-off to attend to his ailing mother, Elizabeth.

“Carlos is away because he had some problems with his mom,” said John, who played alongside Edwards at the 2006 World Cup. “His mom wasn’t well so we gave him some time out to look after his mom.”

It was, Edwards explained, only a fraction of the story—and a conveniently selected part at that.

Edwards’ mother was unwell and was taken to the hospital as a precaution before being discharged after 24 hours. But that had little to do with his absence on Thursday night or his pending departure for Britain.

“I have a good relationship with Stern and Stern understands,” said Edwards. “But then Stern is just a coach [and] it is not his club. But when it comes to certain individuals…”

Central’s majority shareholder and managing director is another former 2006 World Cup player and ex-Sport Minister, Brent Sancho. Wired868 tried unsuccessfully to reach Sancho and operations director Kevin Harrison for comment.

At present, Edwards is owed just one month’s salary at Central, which is a distinct improvement from his time with Ma Pau Stars. But he explained why he felt disrespected by Sancho at the Sharks.

“I am one of the most easy-going people and I know the [financial] problems in the League,” said Edwards. “If you come and reason with me, I will understand. But don’t tell me something and then don’t do it and be all macho about it too.

“[…] If I tell you I will pay you on Tuesday, then when Tuesday comes you will be looking for me to pay you, not so? But when the day comes, you don’t hear anything and you still have to turn around, then what is going on?

“And then for him to tell me: ‘study the football, we will study that’. Well, if that is how you are moving with me, we will have a problem.”

Edwards’ concerns with the operations at Central are hardly unique. Last year, Shaka Hislop condemned Sancho’s treatment of former club captain Marvin Oliver, who was sacked and then slandered by the Sharks.

And Sancho was forced to flee the training ground on another occasion when defender Andre Ettienne tried to confront him over unpaid salaries.

Former Central attackers Marcus Joseph and Willis Plaza and coach Terry Fenwick also left under acrimonious circumstances while the high-profile departures from the club that won a record three Pro League titles in as many seasons include Jan-Michael Williams, Leston Paul, Darren Mitchell, Kevon Villaroel and Rundell Winchester.

In September 2015, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) initiated a probe against Sancho and Harrison for: their conduct with regard to the transfers of Central FC forward Winchester, the signing of then 16-year-old winger Levi Garcia and the alleged misappropriation of CONCACAF funds and non-payment of bonuses to Central players.

However, the TTFA action stalled under current president David John-Williams, who took over at the helm of the football body in December 2015.

Ironically, Sancho and Harrison were founding members of the now defunct Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) alongside interim president, Hislop.

Edwards, a former England Premier League player with Sunderland, said the Pro League desperately needs an operational players’ body, which he feels will be just as beneficial to the clubs and the standard of the competition as it would be to the players themselves.

He suggested that local players face mental anguish from the non-payment or late payment of salaries—often delivered piecemeal—constantly changing training and match schedules and club owners who are not in tune with the needs of employees.

“I am not studying myself alone,” said Edwards. “Yes, I have four kids, a wife and a mortgage to pay but I really feel for the kids—some of whom have to travel from as far as Point [Fortin] to train all over the place—and don’t know when their next salary is coming.

“I can be greedy and tell Sancho I only care about my money but I always fought for the players as well.”

Edwards’ imminent departure marks a bitter-sweet end to his short-lived return home last year alongside former international teammate Jason Scotland, who once represented Wigan Athletic in the England Premiership as well as Dundee United and Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premier League.

“I think it’s about time, coming home to give back something [and help] put the Pro League back on the map,” Edwards told the TT Pro League in September 2016, “to help the younger guys try to emulate what I’ve experienced throughout my career.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I’m actually back home here.”

Edwards and Scotland opted to sign for Ma Pau Stars under then coach Ross Russell, who once played alongside the pair at Defence Force. But, off the field, it was a nightmare.

The two agreed deals with Bankers Insurance to meet their salaries at Stars, which went smoothly for the first two months. But then the payments stopped. When Scotland enquired about the status quo  with Bankers Insurance CEO Vance Gabriel, they were told that their deal was actually a fourth party one.

Bizarrely, Scotland and Edwards were playing for Stars with their salaries meant to come through Bankers Insurance from a contractor they had never heard of before. They were not paid again for the duration of their six-month spell at the club.

Things appeared to take a turn for the better when National Youth Team co-ordinator Russell Latapy, another 2006 World Cup teammate, called the duo to work as assistant coaches for the Under-15 and Under-17 Teams.

“Russell called me and put something towards us about how he wanted to start afresh with the younger boys and create a system leading them straight up to the National Senior Team,” said Edwards. “It sounded like a good plan.”

Scotland has his UEFA ‘B’ coaching license while Edwards said he is a few courses away from getting his ‘B’ license as well. Both men jumped at the opportunity.

After around two dozen training sessions without pay or a contract from the TTFA, Edwards and Scotland called time on their short tenure as international youth coaches, though.

“We started based on word of mouth from Russell and we coached for about six and seven weeks,” said Edwards. “Jason asked Russell about payment and Russell [said] he would see what he could do. By then, I smelled the rat but Jason was so passionate about the coaching side of things that he really wanted to stick it out.

“But there is only so much we could do, so we gradually pulled ourselves away.”

Scotland had tired of the Trinidad football scene by then and, soon after the Pro League season ended, he returned to Britain.

Whereas the TTFA failed to offer him a job—and the local football body subsequently hired W Connection coaches Stuart Charles-Fevrier, Leonson Lewis and Clyde Leon to run its Elite Youth Development programme—Hamilton Academical manager Martin Canning hired Scotland as an assistant coach last month.

Canning told the Scotland Daily Record that he is using ‘Scottie’ to work the club’s attacking players and he said the former Malick schoolboy is off to a good start.

“I phoned him in the summer, met him for a coffee and asked if he would be interested [and] he jumped at the chance,” Canning told the Record. “Initially we were looking just to get him in once or twice a week to work with the strikers, but that has progressed to him helping with the Under-20s and doing striker work [there] as well.

“It’s good for him. He’s really keen and eager to help and hopefully, with his knowledge and the level he has played at, he can benefit the guys.”

Edwards, who started his professional career alongside Scotland and current Soca Warriors head coach Dennis Lawrence at Defence Force, hopes to follow the lead of his former teammates.

“I want to coach,” said the 39-year-old Edwards, who is still a member of the current Trinidad and Tobago international player pool. “That is one of the reasons I want to head back to England to finish up my UEFA ‘B’ license. I need my final assessment to finish.”

Edwards, who has 97 full international caps with four goals, said he will discuss his Warriors future with Lawrence soon. He still hopes to help out for Trinidad and Tobago’s four vital upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers in September and October. However, his Central contract could potentially stop him from playing at even Conference level in Britain—unless Sancho releases him.

Edwards said his return to “Red, White and Black” colours was the one silver lining from his time back home. He played four times under former coach Tom Saintfiet before managing an additional five caps—including three in World Cup qualifiers—under Lawrence.

It ended a three-year spell in the international wilderness for Edwards who was not used by coach Stephen Hart after the 2013 Gold Cup, barring a friendly in November of that year that was supposed to be a farewell affair for Chris Birchall and Edwards.

“It feels real good to be back [on the international stage],” said Edwards. “I am vexed when Dennis puts me on the bench sometimes. [Chuckles] But I am not a 25-year-old anymore and I know he has to manage [my energy levels].

“It feels so good to be back representing my country and I will try my best to help the team for the next four games if selected.”

However, Edwards suggested that even the lure of international football could not compensate for his unhappiness at Central.

“If I have to stop for the betterment of myself and my family, then I will have to do that,” Edwards told Wired868. “Anyone can tell you that when I train, I train at a 100 percent. I don’t say I am 39 so I will take a stroll across the park; I train hard!

“But if people are disrespecting me, then why should I?”

The veteran suggested that the Pro League administration was not doing enough for players or the reputation of the competition either and urged the administrators to lift their standards.

“A lot of people seem to be looking at a players’ association as a confrontational thing but that is not the case,” he said. “A players’ association would help advise on a lot of things that would be for the betterment of everyone. In all my years as a player, this is the first time I have been in a league where there are no fixed fixtures and sometimes you will get a text telling you about a game just hours before the game.

“I think the advertising of the League is the biggest downfall because the few fans we have don’t even know when games are… There is great potential but people need to put more thought into it and be honest.”

Edwards insisted that there were no hard feelings with Sancho or Central. He just knows that that environment is not for him.

“I plan to take my family back to England,” he said. “I thought at one stage I could come and settle back in Trinidad but it is too much… I cannot handle the dishonesty, and the lack of communication is too much. I now see why people say we are not First World; (it’s) because we don’t do things properly and with pride.

“I have no problem with Sancho but the communication side of it is an issue for me. Be straight with me and (it’ll be) smooth sailing.”

For now, it appears that Edwards, a former Chaconia Medal (Gold) recipient with the 2006 World Cup team, will be sailing straight out of the struggling Pro League.

« Last Edit: August 07, 2017, 04:16:41 AM by Flex »

Offline Deeks

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1136 on: August 05, 2017, 07:11:41 AM »
Like we going back to semi pro next year or what

Offline royal

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1137 on: August 05, 2017, 09:27:56 AM »
The league needs to think outside the box and find a model that will work .

Offline Tallman

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Central FC still owing salaries to players
« Reply #1138 on: August 23, 2017, 08:44:22 PM »
Central FC players still playing without pay

The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Deeks

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Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread
« Reply #1139 on: August 23, 2017, 09:10:11 PM »
 >:( :( :banginghead:

 

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