”We are not prepared to send Oliver on a free contract,” said Caledonia AIA Chairman Brian Lewis over the interest by cross-town archrivals San Juan Jabloteh for midfielder Marvin Oliver.
However Lewis wasn’t willing to disclose the amount requested for Oliver. “We are in the preliminary stage of discussions with Jabloteh and I am dealing with as personal. With respect to Marvin and what he has done for our club, we will treat the matter in a dignified manner. Whatever the outcome, we would want a happy Marvin Oliver but we also need to treat this in a professional manner.”
Oliver joined Caledonia AIA in February of 2007 on a two year contract stated by the club from Super League club Crab Connection but misunderstanding by the player during off-season led to Jabloteh Head Coach Terry Fenwick offering him a two year offer with the League Champions.
“My understanding of the contract was a one year deal with the option to renew,” said Marvin Oliver on the matter. “But now I’m hearing that it’s a two year contract I signed.”
Believing that he was out of contract Oliver saw the move to archrivals Jabloteh as a viable one. He said, “At my age opportunities come rarely and I saw the opportunity to join my childhood home club Jabloteh as a great one. I am from San Juan and I have a lot of history with the club. Jabloteh is also planning trips out to Europe and that’s another opportunity for me.”
The father of four added, “The interest to move to Jabloteh is more than Fenwick. I was part of Jabloteh way before him and if he is not there next season, I will still want to join them.”
However if the move to Jabloteh never materialize this season, Oliver said that he will honor his contract with Caledonia AIA giving his regular outstanding performances.
”I am not upset with any club. I understand the business side of it for Caledonia as I am there marquee player. I also believe that if I’m worth anything to Jabloteh they will also try to work things out for me. I just want to make everyone including myself happy and I think that they should come to an agreement,” said the dreadlocked midfielder.
“I don’t think it is unreasonable for us to ask for a transfer fee,” said Lewis. “I believe what we offered is very amicable. Players are undervalued in the Pro League and this is something we need to change. I would believe that the player would understand that we have done our part.”
Presently both clubs are apart on agreement as talks are still ongoing.
Fenwick, unaccommodating of the transfer fee requested, told ‘ttproleague.com’ that the situation is a very delicate one and would wait on further response from Caledonia AIA.
Despite the struggles for Oliver in 2008, unable to acquire an American Visa, hence him being unable to travel with the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team to US countries, he is excited over his chance at representing his national senior team on Ash Wednesday-February 6 against Guadeloupe.
“For the past weeks I have been over and over questioned by all sorts of phone calls on what’s going on in my football now. It has been tough for me and that’s why I hoping that things are resolved soon. I have trained hard with the national team and I am now hoping that my break comes with the national team as my bit of relief,” ended the Caledonia AIA midfielder.