‘Couva Sharks’ win Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 crown.

[Flex]

‘Couva Sharks’ win Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 crown.
ttproleague.com.

Central FC clinched their maiden Digicel Pro League crown on Tuesday, in just their third season of existence, with a hard fought 2-1 comeback win over North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium, which collapsed the final block of hope previously held by bitter Couva rivals W Connection, who had to settle for runners-up in the million-dollar race.



Willis Plaza – utilised off the bench in the second period – scored the winner with two minutes left on the clock after assisting in midfielder Ataullah Guerra’s crucial equaliser against a very formidable North East Stars, who had taken the lead in the 4th minute of play through teenaged midfielder Neveal Hackshaw, who defeated goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams at the near post.

But Guerra, after a bit of contemplating, levelled the scores 1-1 in the 68th minute with his 15th league goal of the season when he found the far bottom corner of goalkeeper Cleon John’s netting following a feed from Plaza.

John, who had made a number of top class saves, including a second half point-blank shutout against Sean de Silva, was beaten again in the 88th minute with Plaza making sure of the league title in style by blasting low into the far corner from the top of the box for his 10th league goal since returning to Central in January.

“It was the game plan to let Dwight Quintero run their (North East Stars) legs out, then I would come in and finish the job,” said the 27-year-old Plaza, who dedicated his winning goal to his mother, Isadora Torres, who was seated amongst the hundreds of Central FC supporters when her son scored.

“This year I wanted us to prove a point by winning the league,” added Plaza, who was part of the Central team that finished runners-up behind last season’s champions W Connection.

“We had a good opportunity to win the league last season but took our foot off the pedal. But this year it was about showing we are the best by coming first.”

Central, having completed all of their league matches this season, have attained an unassailable 55 points from 24 matches, six points clear of last season’s winners W Connection (49 points), who will wrap up their league campaign against sixth placed San Juan Jabloteh on Friday 1 May from 8 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Central, winners of this season’s First Citizens Cup and Rawle Fletcher (Round One) and Akeem Adams (Round Two) trophies under previous head coach Zoran Vranes, who was replaced last month by Terry Fenwick, are now celebrating their second major title of the season.

Central, who also secured the Kevon Carter (Round Three) trophy on Tuesday night will receive the top pay-out of $1,000,000 as league winners, while Connection have secured the runners-up take of $300,000 and Defence Force, the third place pay-out of $150,000, while every over team down the ladder gets $130,000.

“Up to the last and second to last day we had two teams competing for the million dollar prize and that says a lot for the league,” said TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene on Tuesday night. “Third to eight place the points were very close as well, and that augurs well for the league because at any given day, they could spring some surprises and we can have results that were not predictable, and that’s a great fillip for the league.”

But Central, self-assured of the crown, had already put in place early plans for their Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 title celebrations at the New Settlement Recreation Ground in Chaguanas after the match.

It meant that coach Fenwick, a three-time league winner at former club San Juan Jabloteh, needed a point against North East Stars, coached by his former apprentice, Angus Eve, to secure the title on Tuesday night to be able to carry on with planned celebrations after W Connection, the only team with the faintest of chances to topple the “Couva Sharks”, had defeated Police FC 2-1 in the earlier match of the rescheduled Round Three Match Day Seven double header.

W Connection forward Hashim Arcia scored in either side of the half, taking his league scoring tally this season to 9 goals, while overturning a one-goal deficit as coach Stuart Charles Fevrier’s side celebrated full points.

In a contest marred by wasted chances and the frame denying Connection duo of Neil Benjamin Jr and Jomal Williams and Police duo of Shaquille Nesbitt and Kareem Freitas, after Police forward Makesi Lewis had opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Arcia stood out the hero.

The talented Connection forward equalised in the 44th minute, hitting past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette off a well-placed Jerrel Britto cross, before netting the winner in the 89th minute with a classy finish into the bottom corner off substitute Devaughn Elliot’s feed at the top of the box.

By then there was no coming back for seventh placed Police, who had their head coach Richard Hood ejected in the 43rd minute and trainer Brian Headley followed suit in the 77th minute.

But at the end of the second match involving Central FC and North East Stars, Central had two coaches, Fenwick and Zoran Vranes, frolicking at the touchline.

“A great job has been done here,” exclaimed Fenwick following the match. “…But first and foremost I’d like to thank Vranes. The reason we brought him down from the stands is because he is very much a big part of this. He deserves it. He has been here for the long period of the season. But I came in and got it over the line in the end.

“It’s our first league championship for Central FC and it’s a huge thing for the club. The boys have been head and shoulders above the rest of the league all season and thoroughly deserve it. The rest of it comes second to the players.”


Fenwick added, “We got exactly what we expected [against North East Stars tonight]… a very defensive side and not trying to give too much away while trying the counterattack football. But we bossed the game and although we didn’t create much chances, we got the title and teams like North East are still miles away from us.”

Note: North East Stars won the Pro League title in 2004, in the fourth year of the club’s existence, while W Connection won its first league title in 2000 in the then PFL, in just their second year of professional existence. Since then Connection have won the league title again in 2001 (PFL) and 2005, 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 (Pro League).

Digicel Pro League Results

W Connection 2 (Hashim Arcia 44’, 89’) vs Police FC 1 (Makesi Lewis 7’)

Central FC 2 (Ataullah Guerra 68’, Willis Plaza 88’) vs North East Stars 1 (Neveal Hackshaw 4’)

Teams

W Connection: 22.Aquelius Sylvester; 3.Gerard Williams, 5.Mekeil Williams, 65.Neil Benjamin Jr. (13.Devaughn Elliot 86th), 12.Jerrel Britto, 14.Hashim Arcia, 8.Jhon Stiven Lopez, 27.Shannon Gomez (39.Alvin Jones 80th), 36.Triston Hodge (2.Kurt Frederick 80th), 19.Leslie Joel Russell (Yellow Card), 40.Jomal Williams (Yellow Card)

Unused substitutes: 1.Terrence Lewis (GK), 2.Kurt Frederick, 11.Tremain Shayn Paul, 26.Maurice Ford, 30.Aaquil Campbell

Coach: Stuart Charles Fevrier

Police FC: 18.Adrian Foncette; 1.Kareem Freitas (Yellow Card), 17.Dexter Alleyne (5.Anton Hutchinson 86th), 6.Kenaz Williams, 7.Makesi Lewis, 20.Elijah Belgrave, 21.Todd Ryan (8.Kurdell Braithwaite 12th) (Yellow Card), 24.Jibri Mc David (Yellow Card), 2.Jasimar Ashers, 19.Christon Thomas, 23.Shaquille Nesbitt (29.Clevon Mc Fee 75th)

Unused substitutes: 10.Trevin Latapy, 39.Kevin Lewis, 40.Sharkeel Donatien, 38.Kadeem Boyce

Coach: Richard Hood

Match Referee: Rodphin Harris

Teams

Central FC: 21.Jan-Michael Williams; 5.Akeem Benjamin, 45.Ataullah Guerra, 15.Kaydion Gabriel (Yellow Card) (7.Jason Marcano 61st), 12.Jamal Jack (Yellow Card), 6.Leston Paul, 2.Elton John, 11.Darren Mitchell (10.Marvin Oliver 46th), 8.Sean de Silva, 99.Dwight Quintero (33.Willis Plaza 46th) (Yellow Card), 3.Keion Goodridge

Unused substitutes: 1.Javon Sample (GK), 17.Marcelle Francois, 19.Nathaniel Garcia, 4.Uriah Bentick

Coach: Terry Fenwick

North East Stars: 22.Cleon John; 10.Keron Cummings, 12.Jayson Joseph, 5.Aquil Selby, 15.Glenton Wolfe, 18.Kaashif Thomas (9.Xae-Pierre De Fou 90th), 23.Kennedy Hinkson (14.Dwane James 63rd), 25.Keryn Navarro, 38.Jesus Perez, 41.Neveal Hackshaw (6.Jeromie Williams 71st), 44.Keon Joseph

Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 26.Zavion Navarro, 35.Jordan Devonish, 50.Shaquille Thomas

Coach: Angus Eve

Match Referee: Dave Daniel

Outstanding Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 matches

Friday 1 may 2015

Defence Force vs St. Ann’s Rangers—6 pm, 
Hasely Crawford Stadium
San Juan Jabloteh vs W Connection—8 pm, 
Hasely Crawford Stadium

Saturday 2 May 2015

North East Stars vs Caledonia AIA—4 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Point Fortin Civic vs Police FC—8pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

[Flex]

Fenwick delighted with title.
T&T Newsday Reports.

TERRY FENWICK, coach of Central FC, was pleased with the team’s capture of the 2014-2015 Digicel Pro League title.

“I’m absolutely delighted for the club,” he said in a post-game interview on Tuesday night, after Central FC defeated North East Stars 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. “It’s our first Championship.

“When you look at teams like North East Stars that has won one Cup in three-and-a-half seasons, for Central to win a Championship in that period of time, and several Cups, it’s outstanding. That tells you that (about) the level of the players, the coaching right across the board is better than many of the clubs here. It’ll get stronger from this point on.”

Asked if he was throwing a jab at North East, Fenwick replied, “we kept the ball very much all night. They defended deep and smashed that long ball down to (their) centre forward. They got lucky and got off to a great start. But we never panicked, we kept on moving the ball and the chances started to arrive. I thought we thoroughly deserved the win in the end.”

Fenwick and his predecessor Zoran Vranes had a sporting embrace in the touchline before the final whistle, and the ex-England defender noted, “he’s been a big part of this Championship and rather than him (sitting) in the stands watching the whole game, I wanted him down here so he can sample the taste of the actual victory. He’s done a great job and I thought it was only right.”

Fenwick returned to the club a month ago after a brief stint at CS Vise in the Belgium Third Division. He pointed out, “I think there has been one or two very good additions. I would have to say the starlets like Marvin Oliver have been sensational over the course of the season. Attualah Guerra has been brilliant (as well as Willis) Plaza. I have got a very good squad here. We need to add a little bit of young blood but we’re in good shape.”

He admitted, “We haven’t had as much time as we would like on the training ground to really tighten things up. As you saw (on Tuesday) night, we were a little bit limp defensively but we will be well-organised given the right time. And I think we will become a force to be reckoned with, not just in the CFU but beyond that in CONCACAF.”

With their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup semi-final match against W Connection slated for May, for a spot in the 2015-2016 CONCACAF Champions League, Fenwick said, “We’re looking to win, nothing else but win. While a lot of people talk about it, we do it.”

He also expressed his desire to coach a national team one day. “I’ve now won four Championships, won with two different clubs,” Fenwick said. “Eight out of the national side today have come through my development. It sticks out like a sore thumb.

“I’m head and shoulders above the rest. And, why I’m keep on getting ignored, who knows. But I’ll keep on (fighting) away,” he ended.

[SWF Reporter]

Sharks tale: Central FC scale Stars maiden Pro League title
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)

Central FC’s coronation as Trinidad and Tobago Pro League champions was, in retrospect, written in the Stars.

Last night, at approximately 9.52 pm, the noisy upstarts had wrestled power of the local top flight after a 2-1 win over North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium ensured that the “Couva Sharks” could not be caught by bitter cross-town rivals, DIRECTV W Connection.

“… Q-R-S-T-U-V,” sang the ‘Central choir’, “W Connection can’t beat we!”

Earlier yesterday evening, Connection laboured to a 2-1 win over Police FC, courtesy a Hashim Arcia double, that was never going to be enough to pressure the leaders. There is one round of Pro League matches remaining and Central, who will be on a bye, were three points clear with a 15-goal better differential before kick off last night.

Connection might not remember when they too were the ambitious outsiders who were treated with suspicion and disdain by the establishment. The “Savonetta Boys” joined the then PFL in 1999 with their business-like air that included shirt, tie and slacks for players on match day.

Opponents muttered that at least they would win the prize for best dressed. By Connection’s second season, they were champions.

Central took three years but, as they pressed W Connection to the finish line in the 2013/14 season, it always seemed a matter of when not if the “Sharks”—the brainchild of current Sport Minister Brent Sancho and his advisor Kevin Harrison—would eventually have their day in the sun.

Last season, Central fell from the skies at the business end of the season after a Trevin Caesar double led Stars to a 2-1 triumph over the Sharks. And the Sangre Grande-based team threatened to be spoilers again this term.

Central coach Terry Fenwick once employed Stars coach Angus Eve as a player and then assistant coach at San Juan Jabloteh and, although there is no love lost between the pair, their contests are always intriguing, passive-aggressive tactical contests played out at pace.

Central used seven players from their Jabloteh team last night. Stars played five.

Eve’s troops, lined up in his traditional 4-5-1 shape, would try to dictate the flow of the match without the ball by shutting down space for opponents and picking their pockets as they tried to squeeze through narrow alleys.

Fenwick tried to counter his former student’s plans from kick off by using an unusual 3-6-1 formation which overloaded the midfield with four central players and two wingbacks while three defenders stood guard over lone Stars defender-cum-striker Kennedy Hinkson.

Within four minutes, Eve was chuckling as Stars went ahead in trademark fashion.

The “Boys from Ojoe Road” won possession midway in their own half of the field and immediately counted as 19-year-old midfielder Neveal Hackshaw hared up the right flank to collect behind Central defender Keion Goodridge.

Goodridge, who is rarely shy to apply brute force, lowered his shoulder into the teenaged “Soca Warrior” and bounced off. And Central and Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams was just as powerless and red-faced as Hackshaw produced a precise finish at his near post.

It was only Hackshaw’s second league goal of the season.

Stars goalkeeper Cleon John made two fine saves from Jamal Jack and Central captain Leston Paul to preserve the advantage at half time. But, by the hour mark, the difference in approach by the coaches was unmistakable.

Fenwick, an ex-England World Cup defender, is at his best when his team is driving at an opponent. Eve, Trinidad and Tobago’s most capped outfield player and a fine attacker in his hey-day, is more reactionary.

But, without former quality strikers like Cornell Glen and Caesar, Eve simply did not have the arsenal to play to his preferred mode. And, unlike Fenwick, he could not find a Plan B.

It is true that Stars do not have the budget and depth of Central. But their tally of 24 goals this season is testimony to Eve’s problems this season. Only St Ann’s Rangers have scored less times this term.

By the 63rd minute, Fenwick was on his second reshuffle with a back four and a diamond-shaped midfield with Willis Plaza introduced upfront and Ataulla Guerra given the freedom of the park. Eve replaced his lone front-man, Hinkson, with defender Dwane James who was used in the ‘number 10’ role to press evergreen Central substitute and central midfielder Marvin Oliver.

But there was no stopping the tide.

In the 68th minute, Central drew level as Plaza teed up Guerra who casually waited for the opening before stroking his shot past defender Keryn Navarro and beyond opposing custodian, John.

Eve responded, two minutes later, by replacing Hackshaw with another midfield hardman, Jeromie “Butters” Williams in an attempt to stem the flow rather than seek out Central’s vulnerabilities.

And, in the 87th minute, the Sharks completed the turnaround in fine style as Plaza spun away from Navarro and glided inside the penalty area before beating John with a thumping left footed finish into the corner.

It was a fitting exclamation mark for Central whose 63 goals were 12 more than Connection managed last season and the most by a Pro League winner since Connection scored 69 times in 23 league games back in 2005. The Pro League record, incidentally, remains 113 goals from 36 games by Ricky Hill’s Jabloteh in 2003/04.

The Central Choir was in full flight by then and Fenwick spent the closing minutes trying to stage-manage a tribute to his predecessor Zoran Vranes, who led the Sharks for much of the season before being bizarrely replaced by the Englishman.

Ever the gentleman, Vranes, a former Yugoslavia National Under-23 Team player, joined Fenwick at the touchline and the two linked arms and strode to the edge of the technical area as Central stroked the ball around.

Fourth official Cecile Hinds was in no mood for their love connection and spoiled the party by pointedly reminding Fenwick that only one person was allowed to stand in the technical area at any given time.

The noble but clumsy gesture arguably fit a team that irked opponents with its aggressive marketing and self-promotion in the way Connection once grated rivals with ties and cut-price Brazilians.

The Savonetta Boys proved there was much more to them than that and, no doubt, Central hope to do the same.

Paul, who joined Central from Super League outfit Guaya United in January 2014, was beaming after the final whistle.

“First, I must thank God (because) without God nothing is possible,” said Paul, who was appointed team captain by Vranes. “I am overwhelmed… We dug deep. It was a tough, long season but we stuck together and got the results we wanted and won the trophy.”

The 39-year-old Oliver is a former Pro League champion with Jabloteh but was on Central’s first team list, three years ago. When the Sharks trailed Stars, Fenwick presumably accepted that the lanky playmaker should have been on the field and promptly inserted him.

“I think this is the most complete team I’ve been on and the feeling is just so sweet,” Oliver told Wired868. “With all the dramas and everything that happened, it just feels good to be here now… I’ve seen the guys like Ataulla and (Plaza and the rest) when they were teenagers and they are grown men now.

“I saw the steps they took towards maturity and you saw that tonight with their finish and ball movement and so on. I am really proud of them.”

Central’s first place prize is $1 million although Connection are still waiting on their cheque from last season. These two teams would probably fight to the death over a dinner mint though.

With the Pro League title wrapped up, Central are now turning attention to the 2014 Caribbean Club Championship. On May 22, the Sharks will face Connection in the Caribbean semifinals at the same Couva venue.

“It will be an honour to be champions of the Caribbean,” said Oliver. “Just the other day, I saw we were ranked 182 in CONCACAF and Connection (were) 160. Before I finish playing, I would like to see us reach the top 100 in CONCACAF.”

The ‘Couva Clasico’ is about to go regional.

(Teams)

Central FC (3-4-2-1): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 12.Jamal Jack, 5.Akeem Benjamin, 3.Keion Goodridge; 15.Kaydion Gabriel (7.Jason Marcano 72), 2.Elton John, 6.Leston Paul (captain), 11.Darren Mitchell (10.Marvin Oliver 46); 45.Ataulla Guerra, 8.Sean De Silva; 99.Dwight Quintero (33.Willis Plaza 46).

Unused substitutes: 1.Javon Sample (GK), 4.Uriah Bentick, 17.Marcelle Francois, 19.Nathaniel Garcia.

Coach: Terry Fenwick

North East Stars (4-2-3-1): 22.Cleon John (GK); 25.Keryn Navarro (captain), 5.Aquil Selby, 15.Glenton Wolfe, 38.Jesus Perez; 44.Keon Joseph, 12.Jayson Joseph; 18.Kaashif Thomas (9.Xae Pierre De Four 89), 41.Neveal Hackshaw (6.Jeromie Williams 70), 10.Keron Cummings; 23.Kennedy Hinkson (14.Dwane James 63).

Unused substitutes: 1.Stefan Berkeley (GK), 26.Zavion Navarro, 35.Jordan Devonish, 50.Shaquille Thomas,

Coach: Angus Eve

Referee: Dave Daniel

Pro League results

(Apr 28)

W Connection 2 (Hashim Arcia 44, 88), Police FC 1 (Makesi Lewis 7) at Couva;

Central FC 2 (Ataulla Guerra 68, Willis Plaza 87), North East Stars 1 (Neveal Hackshaw 4) at Couva.

[Flex]

Vranes: 'We were already champions when I left'.
ttproleague.com.

Zoran Vranes was more than happy to celebrate the Digicel Pro League 2014-2015 title with coach Terry Fenwick on Tuesday night but believes Central FC were already the champions when his England replacement took over last month, with three league matches left.

Central FC, who lead the standings for nearly all of this season, hoisted their maiden league trophy with 55 points, six points clear of last season’s winners and bitter Couva rivals W Connection (49 pointso), after completing their final match of the campaign with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over mid-table North East Stars at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

“I am very pleased,” said an elated Vranes, who had joined Fenwick in the technical area during stoppage to celebrate the championship. “I think we deserved it. When I left the team we were already champions… almost, with three points in front and a better goal difference. We were always in the top. Definitely we were best this season winning the first leg (Rawle Fletcher Cup), second leg (Akeem Adams Cup) and third leg (Kevon Carter Cup) along the way.”

The 64-year-old Yugoslavia-born Vranes, was signed Central ahead of pre-season last July as a replacement for former England international Fenwick, who had signed a three-year contract with Belgium lower league side CS Vise after steering the “Couva Sharks” to a second place finish behind Connection last season.

But less than a year into his contract at Vise, Fenwick, a three-time Pro League winning coach with former club San Juan Jabloteh, was forced to following Trinidadian players Willis Plaza, Rundell Winchester, Elton John and Kevon Villaroel back to the twin-island republic after the Belgium went broke.

Fenwick, who led Central to last season’s First Citizens Cup and Lucozade Sport Goal Shield titles, and also qualified the team for the 2015 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship, the CONCACAF Champions League qualifier tournament, was later reinstated as coach of the “Couva Sharks” in late March, while Vranes was shifted to the role of technical director of Youth and Women’s football, a position previously held by George Romano, who quit the position following a stroke in February.

“A great job has been done here,” exclaimed Fenwick after securing the league title on Tuesday night. “…but first and foremost I’d like to thank Vranes. The reason we brought him down from the stands is because he is very much a big part of this. He deserves it. He has been here for the long period of the season. But I came in and got it over the line in the end.”

Upon Fenwick’s return, Central were leading the table with 46 points from 21 matches, three points ahead of W Connection, who had 43 points from 20 matches.

Vranes had also led the “Couva Sharks” to this season’s First Citizens Cup and to the inaugural Rawle Fletcher (Round One) and Akeem Adams (Round Two) trophies, while also qualifying the club for the 2016 Caribbean Club Championship, along with W Connection. Vranes was, this month, named Trinidad and Tobago U23 head coach, for the upcoming Pan American Games and Olympic 2016 qualifiers.

While during the 55-year-old Fenwick’s return, Central are boasting a five-match winning streak in all competitions.

Fenwick guided Central to 3-0 and 5-2 wins over San Juan Jabloteh and Point Fortin Civic respectively in the league before Tuesday’s title deciding victory. He also led the “Couva Sharks” to 2-0 and 3-1 wins over Surimane powerhouse Inter Moengotapoe and Guyana’s top team Alpha United, respectively, in the Group stage of the 2015 Caribbean Club Championship this month to set up a semi-final meeting with rivals W Connection in the CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers on May 22.

On Tuesday night, TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene commended the level of competitiveness showcased in the Digicel Pro League over the last eight months which eventually led to the crowning on the final day, in the case of Central. He said the level of competitiveness, even from teams occupying positions 3 to 8, augurs well for the league “because at any given day, they could spring some surprises and we can have results that were not predictable, and that’s a great fillip for the league.

“As well as our two teams have qualified for the semi-finals of the CFU and we hope that they go on and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, which again will assist the Pro League in building the brand, making us more popular and giving us better rankings internationally.”

The remaining Digicel Pro League matches will roll out within the coming days, with third place finishers Defence Force against cellar placed St. Ann’s Rangers from 6 pm on Friday 1 May at the Hasely Crawford Stadium followed by Jabloteh against W Connection from 8 pm.

On Saturday 2 May, North East Stars will meet Caledonia AIA from 4 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, while Point Fortin Civic and Police FC will contest each other from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday 5 May, two hours after Caledonia and Rangers meet in the qualifier match of the 2015 Digicel Pro Bowl, carded for the month of May. W Connection are the defending Pro Bowl champions.

[Sam]

Vranes is right, he woulda win de league.

Terry cant take credit for nothing, he mkaing it sound like he finish de job.

Vranes woulda do it anyway.

[Deeks]

What a paradox!!! Vranes really has to be given credit for building the team confidence from the beginning. Terry got it on a platter. But still, he had to finish the job and he did well also. The ends justify the means!

[Flex]

Guerra says it was a pleasure working with Vranes and Fenwick for Pro League title
ttproleague.com.

Central FC star and creative midfielder Ataullah Guerra admits it was no easy road for the “Couva Sharks” in becoming champions of the 2014-2015 Digicel Pro League (DPL) but said it was a pleasure working with coaches Zoran Vranes and Terry Fenwick to get the DPL crown, the club’s first in just three years of existence.

“We know Fenwick for the type of coaching (he offers),” said Guerra after his side secured the DPL crown on the night of Tuesday 28 May. “Hard... physical and always trying to get the job done. But Vranes was the same and it was a pleasure working under both of them to get the job done.

“It was a very hard and torturous season for us, with some ups and downs, but it’s a pleasure to play for the club and be here for this title. We worked very hard for it and at the end of the day what we got we deserved.”

The 27-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international added, “It’s a club that’s here only three years and it’s a pleasure to play with guys like Akeem Benjamin, Leston Paul and others like Sean de Silva, Marvin Oliver and Willis Plaza. We worked hard and we gave everything of ourselves 

mentality to totally want to win. We had a different attitude towards winning and physically we gave everything

.”

Guerra scored 15 league goals this season for the “Couva Sharks”, and is presently tied with Point Fortin Civic’s Marcus Joseph, but are both six goals less than leading scorer Devorn Jorsling (21). Joseph, however, will have a chance to improve his tally on Tuesday 5 May in the final DPL match of the 2014-2015 season against Police FC from 8 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, following a 6 pm Digicel Pro Bowl qualifier match between Caledonia AIA and St. Ann’s Rangers at the Couva venue. The Digicel Pro Bowl kicks off on Friday with the quarterfinal round.

Guerra, like current teammates Marvin Oliver, Jason Marcano and Elton John, celebrated a third league winners' medal last Tuesday night under coach Fenwick, with their previous two winners' medals earned while at former club San Juan Jabloteh in 2007 and 2008.

Fenwick was reinstated as coach of Central in late March with three league matches left, replacing 67-year-old Yugoslavia-born Zoran Vranes, who had kept “Couva Sharks” atop the league table for most of this season while winning the First Citizens Cup, the Rawle Fletcher (Round One) and Akeem Adams (Round Two) trophies, and secured the team’s place in next season’s 2016 Caribbean Club Championship along with bitter Couva rivals W Connection, who they must face on 22 May in the semi-final round of this season’s Caribbean Club Championship 2015.

Vranes was shifted into the position of technical director of Youth and Women’s football at Central and was recently installed as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 team – a position he had occupied before – for the upcoming Pan American Games and Olympic 2016 qualifiers.

While Fenwick, a three-time league winning coach with former club San Juan Jabloteh, celebrated his fourth career league title in the shortest of stints this season.

But he had to steer Central to hard-fought league wins over Jabloteh (3-0), Point Fortin Civic (5-2) and North East Stars (2-1), as the “Couva Sharks” (55 points) held off second placed Connection (49 points), who were defeated 3-2 by Jabloteh in their final match on Friday night.

“It’s our first league championship for Central FC and it’s a huge thing for the club,” said Fenwick, who steered Central to a runners-up finish last season. “The boys have been head and shoulders above the rest of the league all season and thoroughly deserve it.”