Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on January 11, 2019, 05:41:05 AM
-
No more free TTSL football.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Dissatisfied clubs in football's Super League are planning a league of their own.
Guardian Media Sports learnt yesterday that close to 12 clubs have already agreed to take steps toward the formation of their super league competition that will ensure that clubs and players are paid.
Two club members who wish to remain anonymous revealed a letter expressing their desire has already been sent to the parent T&T Football Association for approval of the league which can be recognised as the official second-tier football competition.
The members could not say exactly how the tournament will be set up, but they said a meeting of the general membership is set to take place sometime soon.
It is understood the clubs, some of which did not play in the Super League last season because of their inability to pay the registration fees of $45,000, have been disenchanted with the general administration of the League, as well as its inability to secure sponsorship.
For the past two years, the League has had no prize money, either because of the refusal of Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL) to pay earnings to clubs, or difficulty to gain a sponsor this year.
Guaya United's owner and manager Randy Hagley yesterday told us that he would not be paying any money to play football this year. His team has enjoyed more winnings than any other club in the TTSL, including double achievements of the TTSL League and CFTL's League Cup tournaments back in 2017 season that was expected to land them close to $200,000.
The Guayaguayare men are still to receive their winnings as well as monies for their fourth place finish last season.
The clubs are angry over the amount of money they have had to put out for no returns. Apart from a whopping $45, 000 registration fee, clubs also had to fork out an additional $5, 000 caution fee and a number of operating expenses that range from travel for matches, refreshment and meals, uniforms and miscellaneous expenses that include gear for players. "This amounts to well over $200,000 for clubs and in the end, we get absolutely nothing," one club member explained.
This year promises to be no different as clubs face another mountain of challenges, one of which now requires them to be TTFA compliant.
A top executive from the TTSL Board said he is uncertain of how the league will function this year, as there is unlikely to be any promotion or demotion of clubs, though the Champions of Champions play-off is set to swing into action soon.
The champions of champions tournament will feature the top teams from the different Regional Associations- Northern FA, Southern FA, Central FA, Tobago FA and Eastern FA, battling for the right to be elevated to the super league.
The super league is scheduled to have its first meeting on January 26 at the Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.
-
Guaya owner unaware about breakaway league.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
RANDY HAGLEY, owner of former Super League champions Guaya United, is unaware about any breakaway league, comprising former Super League clubs.
According to a report in a daily newspaper, on Friday, approximately 12 clubs were planning to form their own competition, with prize money on offer.
Hagley, in a telephone interview, said, “(I was) asked if there would be a new league separate from the Super League this year, and I said I’m not aware of that. But if there is a new league and it’s for the better of the game, Guaya would be taking part in that league.”
The registration fee for clubs to participate in the Super League is $45,000. However, due to a lack of a sponsor, there has been no cash prizes available for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. “You can’t make a man spend money to register in a league and, at the end of a season, you can’t (even) win $10. It just can’t work,” said Hagley.
Have Guaya United given the Pro League a thought? Hagley replied, “We (are not) doing that. We like the community football. We don’t have the facilities for Pro League.”
When contacted on Friday, a Super League official said a number of the clubs were still disappointed that they could not compete in the 2018 edition, due to registration and compliance issues. The league will be hosting a general meeting at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair on January 26 from 2 pm.
-
Move to oust Look Loy as TTSL's TTFA's rep
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)
There are attempts to remove Keith Look Loy, the TT Super League president as the League's representative on the Board of Directors of the T&T Football Association.
TTSL members produced a two-page petition with 13 signatures from Terry Williams (1976 Phoenix FC), Ryan Ottley (Defence Force), Randy Hagley (Guaya United), Gregory Mc Sween (Harlem Strikers), Teba Mc Knight (Perseverance FC), Anthony Clarke (San Fernando Giants), Quincy Jones (Siparia Spurs), Anselm Robley (Youth Stars), Lennox Jones (WASA FC), Jason Gordon (Erin FC) and Philmore George (Central 500 Spartans) among others, which represent more than 50 percent of the membership.
They are contending that Look Loy, an outspoken TTFA Board member has been representing only his personal interest and that of his club, FC Santa Rosa.
There has been "Constant public disgracing of the office of the TTSL President, through numerous social media comments, posts and interviews, bringing the TTSL, TTFA, its members and the football brand into unnecessary disrepute," the members stated.
The accumulation of the signatures was followed by a letter written to Peter Thomas, the Super League's secretary for an Extraordinary General Meeting which features Look Loy's removal as the lone item on the agenda besides the roll call.
The members are attempting to enforce Article 32 of the Constitution which deals with a request for an extraordinary general meeting and states: "The Board of Directors shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting if a majority (more than 50%) of the members makes such a request in writing. The request shall specify the items for the Agenda.
An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held within 21 days of receipt of the request unless the Agenda includes the election of members of the Board of Directors, in which case the Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held within 30 days of receipt of the request. If an Extraordinary General Meeting is not convened within the indicated time, the Members who requested it may convene the Extraordinary General Meeting themselves. As a last resort, the members may request assistance from the TTFA."
Contacted yesterday Look Loy said the petition is entirely a fraudulent one, saying the TTSL has a membership of 22, and seven of the signatures are from non-compliant clubs or clubs that did not meet the TTFA/CONCACAF/FIFA regulations, while the other eight did not play football last year.
He also pointed to Perseverance FC, which got a signature from Mc Knight, although the clubs is not a bonafide member of the TTSL.
It is understood that four clubs- San Fernando Giants, Erin FC, Marabella Family Crisis Centre and Harlem Strikers are already distancing themselves from the petition and more are expected soon.
Look Loy said the petition seems to be the work of people who are scared of him fighting for good governance and transparency in local football.
-
Papayo
-
Papayo
:thinking: Mischief afoot. If we follow the crumbs, the road will lead to Couva.
-
SMH
Football enters another dead generation. The crabs return to the barrel.
-
Erin FC ‘tricked’ into petition against Look Loy
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)
ERIN FC president Jason Gordon has distanced himself from a document he said he was tricked into signing, which called on TT Super League (TTSL) secretary Peter Thomas to convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to remove league president Keith Look Loy.
Newsday received a copy of the document, which listed 15 signatures, purporting to represent the clubs. The document says, "We the members find it necessary to remove our current representative on the TTFA board of directors, President Keith Look Loy, as said representative has been representing his personal and club agendas rather than representing that of the Trinidad and Tobago Football League..."
The TTSL consists of 22 member clubs. At least 12 compliant members must sign for the league secretary to call the EGM.
However, at least two clubs listed on the document have distanced themselves from the document, while four (Central 500 Spartans, Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars and 1976 Phoenix FC) are non-compliant. Another club with a signature, Perseverance United FC, has never been a TTSL member.
Erin FC owner Jason Gordon, when contacted by Newsday yesterday, said he was handed the document on the page with the signatures and was told the purpose of the document was to call a meeting. He said he was not told that the purpose was to remove Look Loy from the post.
"I do feel violated," Gordon said, in a brief telephone interview. "I was definitely tricked."
Gordon shared no more information but said he plans to issue a formal statement distancing himself and the club from the document.
Look Loy, when contacted, said the document was the work of those trying to silence him.
"This is the response of people who are being threatened by my ongoing battle for transparency and good governance in the TTFA. In serious ways, this petition is invalid and even fraudulent," Look Loy said.
He added: "If I were to be removed from the board, I would no longer be entitled to the information I am seeking in court as a board member. This is what it is about."
Newsday contacted the individual who allegedly gathered the signatures but he declined comment.
The individual recently challenged for a Super League position but was unsuccessful.
-
TTSL Clubs to President: ‘We ain’t put you there for that’
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)
“We didn’t appoint you as our representative on the Board of the T&T Football Association to fight down the Home of Football, or for transparency or accountability. We sent you to represent the interests of the T&T Super League.”
This was the view expressed by clubs in the country’s second- tier football league, most of whom, have been clamouring for the removal of its president Keith Look Loy as their representative.
Yesterday Gregory Mc Sween, manager of central club Harlem Strikers said the TTSL has, for the past two years, not had a sponsor, which means clubs played for free, although being asked to put out lots of money. "We need to have a vibrant competition where promotion and demotion can take place for other clubs to join. We need to help clubs to become compliant, and we need clubs and players to look out for something in return when the season comes to an end."
Mc Sween’s Strikers was one of 11 clubs to have been omitted from the 2018 edition of the super league for its failure to pay a $45,000 registration fee and $5,000 caution fee to gain entry in the league. The Strikers boss said he had been disappointed with the FC Santa Rosa president for fighting only for the interests of himself and his club. “We ain’t getting anything by him fighting David John-Williams and for audited statements of the TTFA, because we need help in the TTSL too,” Mc Sween explained.
Harlem Strikers was one of four clubs reportedly to have distanced themselves from calls for Look Loy’s removal. Another, the Marabella Family Crisis Centre, through manager Terrance Boissiere, refuted these claims, saying he is fully in support of a petition to remove Look Loy, while Jason Gordon, chief cook and bottle washer of TTSL first-timer Erin FC, believes he was tricked into signing a petition for reasons other than what was explained to him. “I am all for football, and once I am given a fair chance to make a decision in the interest of the sport, I will do so.”
Gordon, whose team made its debut in the super league for the 2018 season, said he still believes Look Loy is the best person to represent the TTSL at that level, as he has had no negative experiences with him since joining the competition.
However, Jameson Rigues, the TTSL vice president said he had been forced to support the clubs, as he too believes that Look Loy was not representing the interests of the League. “As the TTSL vice president and the second in command, I could not sit by and watch our members fight for their rights. As a man of the truth, I will not sit by and do nothing, and therefore, I will side with the clubs, as we are still to get a sponsor for the League.”
The Super League is set to meet on Saturday from 2 pm at the Queen’s Park Oval at which discussions on the coming season and the proposal put forward by visiting UEFA/CONCACAF officials..
-
These guys don't understand that what Look Loy is fighting for will benefit clubs and the sport in the long run? Sponsors are not attracted to football right now with the state of lack of accountability and poor governance.
-
I reading that article and wonder if some of these club leaders, VPs, etc have no shame, accusing Look Loy of seeking his own interests. Actually saying that they have him there for their own interest. They in their own selfishness, making accusations and actions against someone who is asking questions about and for the betterment of The National football structures and operations throughout the country.
Then I am reminded of a quote..
“There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.”
They rather stay dotish, and let the football stay right where it is. Is those that learn bear the shame than those that close themselves off from the growth and development of their own community, society and country. Unfortunately, it ain’t just about football.
-
Non-compliants clubs can vote.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
"Non-compliant clubs in the T&TSL can vote" so said David John-Williams, president of the T&T Football Association and Jameson Rigues, vice president of the T&T Super League.
Their comment comes amidst circulating reports that non-compliant clubs cannot vote ahead of the TTSL Extraordinary General Meeting to remove Keith Look Loy as their representative on the Board of the T&TFA.
Fifteen clubs are making an attempt to have the TTSL convene an Extraordinary meeting for the purpose of removing its president from the TTFA board. To secure such a meeting the clubs must gain the support of more than 50 per cent of its 22 members.
But after securing the signatures of approximately 15 clubs via a petition, Look Loy told Guardian Media Sports the entire petition was fraudulent as some of the clubs that signed were non-compliant and others were unregistered.
Yesterday Rigues, the TTSL vice president who publicly sided with the clubs' call to remove its president for his inability to represent the interests of the super league at the TTFA's Board level, is reminding clubs, whether they are non-compliant or unregistered, that they can vote.
Rigues made it clear the TTSL's constitution does not state that. "In fact, clubs that are non-compliant are still bonafide members of the TTSL and can only be prevented from voting if they are no longer members through expulsion. All clubs have shares in the company TTSL and cannot exercise their right to vote only if they lose that membership," Rigues explained.
Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed that at Saturday's AGM of the TTSL at the Queen's Park Oval, Look Loy attempted to move a motion for non-compliant and unregistered clubs to be mere observers during any voting process, but the motion was not on the agenda as an item. To date, only three clubs, Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars from Tobago and Central 500 Spartans are non-compliant.
However, the registration of clubs for this season will depend on whether or not a proposal by the UEFA/CONCACAF team to the TTSL to have 12 teams, will be adhered to as recommended. That matter is currently being dealt with by a tripartite committee comprising Julia Baptiste (TT Pro League), Richard Piper (TTFA) and Look Loy (TTSL).
Yesterday, Look Loy said he was not worried about efforts by clubs to gain the Extraordinary General Meeting as they did have the numbers to do so. "Between clubs being non-compliant, not registered and those that have withdrawn their signature, they just do not have the number of teams to do so," Look Loy explained.
After 15 signatures were scribed on a petition by the clubs last week, three of them, namely WASA, Erin FC and Club Sando have since rescinded. And RSSR, which through Ruthven Charles, appeared to have supported Look Loy, said yesterday they are sitting on the fence.
San Fernando Giants, on the other hand, can be the difference in the clubs receiving the 50 per cent support, but its representative Anthony Clarke said their views have already been communicated to the super league, as they will not do so through the media.
John-Williams, who admitted he did not want to get into the business of the TTSL, sought to shine some light on the situation, saying, "All clubs of the TTSL and the Pro League are members of the TTFA. Non-compliant clubs cannot take part in any competition held under the auspices of the TTFA and also cannot vote.
However, the TTSL and Pro League are not members of the TTFA and therefore cannot vote. They are totally separate entities/companies that run a competition that is sanctioned by the TTFA."
He pointed out that, "As a company, in which shares are bought and teams are members, clubs have the rights to vote unless the constitution states otherwise. For clubs to not be able to vote, they must lose their membership through expulsion etc."
He told Guardian Media he was shocked a few months ago when TTSL clubs were debarred from voting on the compliance issue because they were non-compliant, saying that was illegal.
-
When will the embarrassment end...
-
When will the embarrassment end...
I think it's fair to say it won't end. Not even in the "fullness of time".
-
When will the embarrassment end...
I think it's fair to say it won't end. Not even in the "fullness of time".
You is ah ass eh? :rotfl:
-
straight out of the copy book page of jack warner. I almost sure DJW telling them non-compliants, "I getting fifa money. Allyuh play my game, allyuh go be fine. Keith eh no have money, I have." Here we go again.
-
When will the embarrassment end...
I think it's fair to say it won't end. Not even in the "fullness of time".
If the second coming of Jesus happened I'm not sure even he could sort out this mess
-
When will the embarrassment end...
I think it's fair to say it won't end. Not even in the "fullness of time".
You is ah ass eh? :rotfl:
:)
-
TTSL split on Look Loy’s fate, San F’do Giants can decide fate of petition tomorrow.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) outfit San Fernando Giants have asked for another 24 hours to consider their position on president Keith Look Loy’s role on the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s board of directors.
And, with Guaya United owner Randy Hagley’s petition for Look Loy’s removal down from 15 clubs to 11, Giants’ decision could have a telling impact on not just the TTSL but local football on a whole.
Hagley needs 12 votes from the TTSL’s 22 member clubs to force an unprecedented special general meeting to rule on whether their president should be taken off the TTFA board—a decision that could impact on Look Loy’s probing of association president David John-Williams’ controversial Home of Football project.
At present, the Guaya-led motion appears short of one backer, although both parties disagree on the count.
Last night, WASA FC officially rescinded its support for Hagley’s petition via email.
“I am writing to officially rescind WASA FC’s support for the petition to convene an EGM for the removal of president Keith Look Loy as the TTSL Representative on the TTFA Board of Directors with immediate effect,” stated WASA official Lennon Jones. “WASA FC is of the opinion that: the actions initiated by the TTSL President regarding transparency of the Home of Football project and the governing body should be allowed to be completed; and the impending merger of the Pro League and Super League into one national league with two divisions must be our main focus at the moment…”
Jones’ about-turn followed a similar move by Erin FC official Jason Gordon.
Hagley told Wired868 today that Gordon changed his mind yet again and was once more supporting the call for Look Loy’s removal from the TTFA board. However, Gordon denied that.
“No, I am not supporting that petition,” the Erin representative told Wired868 tonight.
At present, the 11 clubs in support of Hagley’s petition are: Guaya United, Cunupia FC, Matura Re-United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Defence Force, Harlem Strikers, Marabella FCC, Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars, Central 500 and 1976 Phoenix FC. Only four of those teams competed in the 2018 TTSL competition while the rest missed out due to their failure to meet a registration deadline.
The 10 clubs in Look Loy’s corner are: Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Club Sando FC, FC Santa Rosa, RSSR FC, Bethel United, Prisons FC, UTT, Police FC, Metal X Erin FC and WASA FC.
Hagley cannot tally the support of Central Football Association (CFA) team, Perseverance United, who also signed the petition but are not deemed to be a TTSL team.
Last year, Perseverance United were one of four teams—alongside Erin, Beatnix and San Fernando Giants—given provisional membership to the TTSL on 7 April. However the club, which earned promotion through the Champion of Champions tournament, could not raise their TT$45,000 registration fee in time.
Still, Perseverance United could have preserved their place in the second tier competition by paying a TT$1,000 subscription fee. But they failed to do that too, after what club officials claimed to be a mix-up caused by a conversation with TTSL general secretary Peter Thomas.
“Here is the ticklish thing; when we first learnt we had to pay the subscription I spoke to Mr Thomas on two occasions,” said team manager Allan Logan, “and he said they were having a subsequent meeting to decide on membership and to hold off paying. I called two months later and he said the meeting never took place.
“[…] After [last month’s visit of the] UEFA officials, we were considering rejoining and wanted to be a part of the meeting [today] only to hear we were not members because we are not in financial standing. We feel we were disenfranchised.”
Curtis Agard, another official at the club—which has since undergone a name change to Real Central FC—admitted that they received word of their expulsion since last September.
“We received an email saying ‘the TTSL hasn’t received any fees from Perseverance United and as a result the provisional membership was rescinded’,” said Agard. “But it is the general membership gave us provisional membership, so I don’t know who rescinded it.
“We qualified to be in the Super League and we tried to pay our fees. Yesterday the general secretary sent us an email saying we were uninvited [to today’s EGM] and that our email address had been included in error.
“But we feel it is unfair, since there are teams in the Super League that didn’t even qualify for the Super League.”
San Fernando Giants were the only club accepted into the TTSL without even qualifying for the Champion of Champions tournament last year. As teams struggled to meet the registration deadline, the Giants were able to get their finances together and were allowed into the TTSL to help make up numbers.
Giants president Anthony ‘Cla Tones’ Clarke is a vocal supporter of the TTFA president and was part of a hand-picked Home of Football committee which met UEFA officials last week—despite not being sanctioned by the TTFA board.
Clarke has a problem with Look Loy’s public tussles with John-Williams.
“[Look Loy] stated his agenda clearly which is to remove the president of the TTFA,” said Clarke. “If it was a FC Santa Rosa agenda that is okay but in the [TTFA] AGM he said he, Keith Look Loy, would not stop until the president of the TTFA is removed. He didn’t say Santa Rosa and he never corrected himself.
“[…] He is taking a personal position where he is representing a body. He cannot say that on behalf of all the clubs of the TTSL; he must speak to the club members.
“Is this the proper man to represent us seeing that he has this agenda?”
Ironically, Giants ruled that Clarke himself had spoken out of turn by supporting Hagley’s petition without running it past their board first.
On Thursday, Clarke assured Wired868 that his Giants colleagues would soon see things his way after a board meeting that night. However, that did not happen.
“We have not made a decision as yet,” said Giants PRO Curtis Emmanuel. “That is still in discussion with the board of the San Fernando Giants.”
Clarke will have another chance to win over his board within the next 24 hours. If he fails to do so, Hagley’s petition will be dead. (Although, even with the Giants’ support, questions over the status of the non-compliant trio of Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars and Central 500 could also a problem for the faction seeking to rein in the TTSL president.)
Ironically, the seemingly robust nature of the board at tiny San Fernando Giants could potentially create a headache for the less collective management style of the current TTFA president.
-
Look Loy survives due to Giants decision and compliance issue; Hagley wants TTFA intervention.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) president Keith Look Loy appears to have survived an attempt to dislodge him from the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), after a petition to remove him was ruled to have failed to meet the constitutional threshold by TTSL general secretary Peter Thomas.
The TTSL constitution allows members to call an extraordinary general meeting, once ‘more than 50% of the members’ make the request in writing. And, according to article 19.8, it takes only an ‘ordinary resolution’ at this meeting to remove any director from office.
The low threshold to jettison the TTSL president is in sharp contrast to the ‘majority of three quarters of the valid votes’ required to unseat the TTFA president, according to article 38.4 of the TTFA constitution.
Yet, Guaya United Randy Hagley appears to have failed to get the necessary votes. Hagley initially claimed to have 15 signatory clubs and needed 12. By Sunday night, the clubs that supported his petition had been whittled down to 11; and, today, the TTSL said it recognised only eight of his supporters—due to the declared non-compliance of three teams: Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars and Central 500.
“By directive of the TTFA Annual General Meeting of 31 March 2018, the TTFA Board of Directors provisionally suspended all TTFA members which had not submitted 2016 compliance documentation, with a recommendation for expulsion,” stated Thomas, in an email to clubs on 5 February 2019. “At the 2018 AGM meeting of 21 April 2018, which addressed the status of all non-compliant members, it was decided to offer each club special conditions to redeem their compliant status.
“Nothing further has developed in this matter. Therefore, these three clubs are still held to be non-compliant with all rights suspended, according to Article 14.3 of the TTFA constitution.”
In truth, Hagley’s petition seemed doomed on Sunday night when San Fernando Giants undid the will of their club president, Anthony ‘Cla Tones’ Clarke, at an extraordinary general meeting of their own.
It was, arguably, a moment of high irony. Clarke, an open supporter of current TTFA boss David John-Williams, accused Look Loy of dictatorial tendencies and speaking out of turn by tackling the local football president on matters of transparency without—in his opinion—the proper support of the clubs he represented when on TTFA board business.
Yet, Giants found Clarke guilty of exactly the same.
Last week, Giants public relations officer Curtis Emmanuel informed the TTSL that Clarke had misrepresented their club.
“San Fernando Giants FC will like to distance itself from [the] petition signed by Mr Anthony Clarke,” stated Emmanuel, in a letter to the TTSL on 28 January 2019. “He had no authorisation to sign this petition on behalf of San Fernando Giants FC.”
Clarke subsequently held two meetings with his club and told Wired868 that he was confident he could get his colleagues to see things his way. But he failed to do so.
“Our position remains that we support the contents of the letter that we sent to the Super League,” said Emmanuel today, “and we have no further comment.”
The about-turn by Giants, Erin FC and WASA FC left Hagley one club short of a majority, even before the TTSL ruled three more of his backers ineligible due to non-compliance.
Hagley was defiant though.
“That letter [from the TTSL general secretary] is null and void because based on information [from Look Loy] on the 26th, there are 16 compliant teams in the Super League,” said Hagley. “Well, we have eight. Right now if we are talking about compliance, then UTT and Queen’s Park did not make the deadline and should be non-compliant too…”
It is a double-edged sword. At least two more of Hagley’s supporters, Marabella Family Crisis Centre and 1976 Phoenix FC, are also believed to have compliance issues and could find themselves in trouble.
However, it is the TTFA—and not the TTSL—which rules on issues of compliance. And, although the local football body has already pronounced on the fate of Siparia Spurs, Youth Stars and Central 500, Hagley said he intends to approach the umbrella body again to see if its position has changed.
“We will get the TTFA to intervene because it is too much collusion in the Super League,” said Hagley. “He can’t be the president and the owner of a team; that is too much of a collusion. So let the TTFA tell us who are the legitimate clubs in the Super League and who is or isn’t compliant.”
Look Loy insisted that using his ownership of Santa Rosa as an excuse to remove him was a red herring.
“Under the laws of the TTSL—and as under the Pro League’s regulations as well—a club member is not denied the opportunity to be an officer of the league or the board,” said Look Loy. “The whole Pro League board including their chairman are representatives from clubs; but they seem to be trying to make an issue with that in the Super League.
“In the [TTSL) elections, I ran against [Ryan] Ottley who is from Defence Force and [Cunupia head coach] Michael De Four ran for vice president and the fact that they are associated with clubs was not an issue then. Now it has become an issue, only because they lost.”
The inconsolable Hagley claimed that Look Loy—and not the TTSL general secretary—penned the letter which ruled the three clubs non-compliant. And, although his petition asked only for the TTSL president to be removed from the TTFA board, the Guaya owner admitted that he did not want Look Loy around in a leadership role at all.
“It’s not Peter Thomas who wrote that letter; because I have never seen him write anything saying ‘comrade’—that is Look Loy,” said Hagley. “My position is I don’t want Look Loy as the president of our football.
“[…] Look Loy might know all the ins and outs of the laws of the game but he is a bad president. I don’t care about the court case against the Home of Football or whatever, I care about the Super League; and plenty teams support me.
“So I will ask the TTFA to intervene…”
Whether Hagley has enough teams in his corner is the vital question, though. Look Loy dismissed Hagley’s claims and insisted that the petition did not deserve any more attention.
“In 2018, the [TTFA] board suspended several clubs with a recommendation to expel [and] the 2018 AGM reinstated all but three, giving them special conditions to regain compliance,” said the TTSL president. “They have not fulfilled these conditions [so] they remain suspended. And no other club has been deemed non-compliant by the TTFA board or general meeting; only those three. And only the general meeting can lift the suspension.
“They cannot counter the logic of our legal position nor the numbers that are against them nor the fraudulence of their approach.”
The following is a statement from Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) general secretary Peter Thomas in relation to a petition for the removal of president Keith Look Loy from the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA):
Good morning comrades,
I respond to the petition dated 29 December 2018 re: “Request for Extraordinary General Meeting” and submitted to me via email on 29 January 2019.
As correctly quoted in said petition, TTSL’s By-Laws (2017) state:
Article 32 Extraordinary General Meeting
“2. The Board of Directors shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting if a majority (more than 50%) of the Members make such a request in writing. The request shall specify the items for the Agenda. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the request, unless the Agenda includes the election of members of the Board of Directors, in which case the Extraordinary General Meeting shall be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request. If an Extraordinary General Meeting is not convened within the indicated time, the Members who requested it may convene the Extraordinary General Meeting themselves. As a last resort, the Members may request assistance from TTFA.”
I must, firstly, point to the fact that one of the signatories, Perseverance FC, is not a member of the TT Super League as they never fulfilled the basic membership requirements offered to them—i.e. purchase of a share in TTSL Limited—nor did they participate in the League’s 2018 season.
Secondly, since the submission of the petition via email, three clubs have submitted written communication to the League Secretariat rescinding their support for the document and its content. These clubs are Erin FC, San Fernando Giants FC, and WASA FC.
Indeed, one of these three clubs has even described the handling of the petition and the securing of signatures ‘by a TTSL member’ as ‘fraud and deceit’.
Thirdly, three clubs on whose behalf persons signed, Central 500 FC, Siparia Spurs FC, and Youth Stars FC, are non-compliant members of TTFA, without the right to participate in TTFA/TTSL business, unless and until they are deemed to be compliant by the TTFA General Meeting.
We are guided in this by TTFA’s Constitution (2015), which states:
“A suspended Member shall lose its Membership rights. Other Members may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended Member.”
By directive of the TTFA Annual General Meeting of 31 March 2018, the TTFA Board of Directors provisionally suspended all TTFA members which had not submitted 2016 compliance documentation, with a recommendation for expulsion. At the 2018 AGM meeting of 21 April 2018, which addressed the status of all non-compliant members, it was decided to offer each club special conditions to redeem their compliant status.
Nothing further has developed in this matter. Therefore, these three clubs are still held to be non-compliant with all rights suspended, according to Article 14.3 of the TTFA Constitution. Indeed, the latest document on TTFA compliance issued by the TTFA Secretariat indicates that these three clubs, in addition to being 2016 non-compliant, are also deemed to be 2017 non-compliant.
Further, TTSL’s By Laws (2017) [under article 5.4. Application for Membership and Relegation from Membership] state:
“5.4(3). Any legal entity or person wishing to become a Member shall apply in writing to the Company Secretariat. The application must be accompanied by the following mandatory items:
a. a copy of its legally valid constitution and regulations, which shall comply with the requirements of the TTSL by laws; b. a declaration that it will always comply with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA, CONCACAF, CFU and TTFA, and ensure that these are also respected by its own members, officials.”
By agreement with 5.4.3.b. of our by Laws—and the regulations of TTFA membership compliance—all TTSL members agree to abide by decisions of TTFA, and cannot refuse to do so by reference to their membership in TTSL.
Given all of the above, in actuality, the petition in question is supported by only eight (8.) clubs and thus does not meet the majority (‘more than fifty percent’) threshold set by TTSL’s By Laws.
Under these circumstances, the TTSL Board of Directors cannot call an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Respectfully,
Peter Thomas
League Secretary
-
Super League clubs seek legal advice.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Super League clubs are seeking legal advice regarding their failed petition to have Keith Look Loy, the T&T Super League president, removed as the League's representative on the Board of Directors of the T&T Football Association.
They are contending that being non-compliant does not mean they are ineligible to vote as members of the TTSL. The clubs are scheduled to meet this weekend and will have the services of a legal person at the meeting.
Guaya United manager and owner Randy Hagley has been championing this cause, since T&T Football Association president David John-Williams stated in a newspaper report about three weeks ago that neither Look Loy nor the TTSL could debar non-compliant clubs from voting, and therefore an extraordinary general meeting can be called as they commanded the majority support from their membership.
According to John-Williams, "All clubs of the TTSL and the Pro League are members of the TTFA. Non-compliant clubs cannot take part in any competition held under the auspices of the TTFA and also cannot vote. However, the TTSL and Pro League are not members of the TTFA and therefore cannot vote. They are totally separate entities/companies that run a competition that is sanctioned by the TTFA."
He added, "As a company, in which shares are bought and teams are members, clubs have the rights to vote unless the constitution states otherwise. For clubs to not be able to vote, they must lose their membership through expulsion etc."
The clubs were trying to enforce Article 32 of the TTSL Constitution which deals with request for an Extraordinary General Meeting to have its president removed as they believe he was not representing their interests. Article 32 states- "The Board of Directors shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting if a majority (more than 50%) of the members makes such a request in writing. The request shall specify the items for the Agenda."
Look Loy appeared to have won round one of this contest when four of the 15 signatories on the petition expected to show majority support, were said to have pulled out. Look Loy's victory also appeared to have been completed by a letter from his general secretary Peter Thomas which highlighted that non-compliant clubs could not vote.
Hagley in a release chastised his president "Look Loy is trying to show himself as this big champion of democracy, but his actions in the Super League are far from such. He is claiming clubs who paid their registration to form this league are non-compliant. He is also using brutal tactics to coerce clubs to withdraw their signature from the petition."
Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed that members from both Harlem Strikers and Defence Force have had to answer questions from their employers because of attempts to silence them and reduce the numbers on the petition.
According to Hagley "Ryan Ottley has been sidelined by the Defence Force from all football matters."
Derek Edwards, the Petit Valley/Diego Martin United manager said "Teams are trying to play a social role in their communities and are being penalized for it. He is accusing John-Williams of high handedness but his actions are no better."
He concluded, "Its as if everyone who disagrees with the Super League president, will be hounded out the league, based on some technicality."
-
Why all this sudden Super League drama?
By Colin Murray (T&T Guardian)
A few weeks ago, there was an interview in the Sunday Guardian where a member of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) general council and former national coach was speaking about the state of football in T&T; more specifically, with reference to the performance of the president of the TTFA David John-Williams, and he was quick to note that he was a friend of his and one of his campaign managers for the 2015 TTFA elections. I suppose he was trying to convince us that the interview ought to be impartial.
Today, I wish to tell you that Keith Look Loy is not my friend and I have not, and will not campaign for him if he was going up for a “tiddlywinks” post. I first encountered Look Loy when he was playing centre back for St Mary’s College. I was a speedy left winger for Fatima College. Look Loy was the skipper of his team but was hard as nails and looked like a beast - just how a centre back should be.
I next encountered him when he was coaching Malick and I was coaching Fatima. Our paths crossed again when he was the coach of Joe Public and I was the coach of Carib. We have never been on the same side, therefore, no one can accuse me of being supportive of him and against someone else in his favour.
So much so that when the 2015 TTFA elections rolled around, no one from any Association or League called me to ask if I was interested in any position. I kept my distance until Raymond Tim Kee, who I was to oppose in 2013 for the TTFA presidency (I should write a book about that), called me and asked if I would run for vice president and after long deliberations I accepted. I am not quite a slate person.
I honestly believe that if a person is good enough for the post, he should be installed so I was a little disappointed when I saw the late John Sabga on another slate running for vice president and backing an opposing candidate. As friends, we spoke about it and I even said to him that if we win, we will bring you on board in some capacity as you have so much to contribute.
Now, Look Loy was not supporting our slate but that’s his democratic right. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I was out of the country when the elections were called and apparently when the voting came around, I finished second to Ewing Davis. Then, there were two more rounds of voting and I came second on each occasion to John-Williams’ candidates and so both John and myself were booted out. What a blessing in disguise. Sadly, John has since passed away and I certainly would not have lasted in that regime.
The reason for this background is to show the different paths of my destiny and Look Loy’s. However, as fate would have it, the chairman of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) football section asked me if I would stand for election as a board member of the T&T Super League (TTSL). He told me Look Loy was running for president which did not bother me because I wanted to help football and the League. Subsequently, I found out I was on Look Loy’s slate; something I did not even know but more than that, there was an obvious power struggle. Eventually, Look Loy won but the trouble only then began.
His opponents attacked at every opportunity and Look Loy’s personality is one to never back down. When I read some of what his opponents write in trying to remove him as TTSL president, I genuinely wonder whether these persons love football and wish to see it progress. I am not for one moment saying Look Loy is a ‘’Saint” but the reason to remove him is because he begs for transparency with the TTFA and keeps asking the relevant questions.
People tell me he has a hidden agenda. So what? Wouldn’t he have a democratic right to fight for any position he desires and can be rejected or supported? The TTSL has no sponsors but not for lack of trying. Sponsorship, especially in T&T football nowadays, is difficult to obtain. Sponsors don’t want to be associated with confusion and bacchanal so when Look Loy’s opponents threaten legal action etc, which sponsor in their right mind will come on board? The TTSL has its books in order and financials up to date; a wellrun League that finished on time and with no problems 2018 with officials and match commissioners.
It is even rumoured that it is the only League to pay match officials in advance, something I have never heard before in T&T. To me, what should be of paramount importance to those Super League clubs is how well the League is being run and how it can be improved.
Look Loy and a few others are representing the interest of the entire footballing public and clubs of T&T by demanding the TTFA play fair, show transparency, accountability and good governance.
If those TTSL clubs were really interested in football, they would ask the same questions rather than seemingly having a personal agenda.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any organisation of which he is a stakeholder.
-
Well said, a man with sense!
-
Colin knows what is going on. What he says is correct. The rumblings by TTSL grumblers is pure "russian meddling" by DJW and his crew. A page out of the vampire JW. Again, Contro. get your people ready for elections. And make sure they have deep pockets.
-
By the way, who will coach Santa Rosa this year?
-
Look Loy moves to oust Rigues.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Jameson Rigues, the first vice president of the T&T Super League has given his colleagues on the Board - Keith Look Loy, Eddie Dean, Terry Joseph, Clayton Morris and Colin Murray until today to withdraw a letter accusing him of being tardy, and offer an apology.
Rigues said if his request is not acceded to, he will go the distance to protect his character, including seeking legal action.
Rigues, a representative of Guaya United, received a letter on Saturday from League secretary Peter Thomas in which Board members complained about him breaching the code of confidentially by putting the business of the League in the public domain. There were also accusations that Rigues regularly missed Board meetings.
Contacted yesterday Rigues said he checked his attendance record to confirm that he had only missed one Board meeting between April 2018 to April 2019. He also rubbished claims of a confidential breach, saying he has always represented the interests of the clubs, which did not sit too well with Look Loy, who is also the TTSL's representative on the TTFA Board.
Rigues believes there is an agenda to get him off the TTSL Board and it is being pushed by Look Loy. Only recently Rigues said in a newspaper report that Looks Loy was not representing the interests of the super league as the TTFA Board member and was rather engaging in a personal war with football association president David John-Williams. "I do not care about the war with John-Williams as it did not benefit the TTSL," Rigues said.
Guardian Media Sports learnt the letter came from a TTSL meeting on April 30 for which he arrived more than half-an-hour late, as he had to make a daring trek from Guayaguayare to the office of the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva for 5 pm.
Rigues said, "I reached there at 5:38 pm and the meeting was done. That had to be the shortest meeting ever. I made some calls to find out if there was a quorum and was told that Murray was contacted over the phone to make up a quorum." In attendance at the meeting were Look Loy, Morris and Dean only, Rigues explained.
"I see this as an attempt to assassinate my character and I will go the distance to protect it, including seeking legal advice," Rigues said. According to Rigues, as the youngest member of the Board, he is neither for or against Look Loy or John-Williams and only wants to see the sport develops. "With the current fight between the two leaders of local football, it has been hampering growth and preventing corporate citizens from getting involved. It has also seen being destroyed on the field," Rigues said.
Look Loy when contacted said he had no comment to make on the matter as it was the business of the Board.
-
Look Loy: Riques seat is safe.
By Keith Clement (Guardian).
Keith Look Loy, president of the T&T Super League (TTSL) has responded to claims by his vice president Jameson Riques in this newspapers that there are plans afoot to remove him from office.
According to a release from Look Loy, "The TTSL Board is unanimously disappointed with Mr. Rigues' performance. That said, we fully recognize that it is the TTSL membership which elected him and that the Board cannot remove him, which is not its intention. He was sent a letter expressing "the disappointment" of his colleagues. Nowhere was there mention or threat of him being removed."
Riques, a representative of Guaya United, told us that received a letter on Saturday from League secretary Peter Thomas in which Board members complained about him breaching the code of confidence by putting the business of the League in the public domain and accusactions he regularly missed Board meeting.
The release from Look Loy continued, "Rigues has aligned himself over the past year with minority elements within TTSL, who act as proxies for high officials of ttfa. Unopposed for the post of 1st VP in the TTSL Board election of 2017, he has seen his support dramatically eroded by this nonsense. In the recent vote for two TTSL reps to the new T-LEAGUE Commission, he got 5 of 18 votes - one of them accidentally, as one club rep who voted for him apologised for making an error and attempted to reverse his vote, which was not allowed."
Further, "Regarding the supposed issue of confidentiality, that is a faux issue. The real issue is that the goodly gentleman does not table matters of his concern for Board discussion. Indeed, he has never proposed one matter for inclusion in a Board meeting agenda. Then he goes to the membership and even the media to raise matters. To the contrary, I speak out on matters that I raise at TTFA Board level, like the TTFA financial documents issue, only to be ignored."
The release ended, "Ultimately, this is a squall in a teacup. Nobody wants to remove Rigues. It wouldn't be worth the bother and would be unnecessary. The TTSL Board, which includes Clayton Morris and Colin Murray, is very democratic and Mr. Rigues's Board seat is safe. But there is protocol to be followed."
-
T&T's Super League faces uncertain future.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
The status of the T&T Super League in local football could be on shaky grounds with the recent approval of the Pro League Second Division.
On Wednesday, Anthony Moore, a member of the committee formed to Sheppard in football for 2019, said attempts will be made with all stakeholders of the sport to ensure that the FIFA's mandate of total club football is achieved by the staging of both the T&T Pro League and Second Division tournament, including having talks with clubs in the T&T Super League and the Regional Associations.
"We cannot force teams to play in the pro league and second division, but we can use the Champion of Champions tournament for teams from the regional associations, a system that has been used in the past as a means of getting teams," Moore assured.
The T&T Football Association Board member, who is also president of the Tobago Football Association (TFA), could not respond to concerns of the future of the super league in light of the new developments. Concerns were raised about which league would have been recognized as the legitimate second-tier competition when the pro league's second division kicks off on October 4, and whether the super league would be considered a feeder programme to the second division if there will be promotion and demotion.
Guardian Media Sports also sought to find out if teams from the regional association competitions will be required to go through the T&TSL on its way to the new second division after the Champion of Champions playoffs is held.
Super League president Keith Look Loy said on Wednesday that he had no comment when asked for his views on some of the concerns raised.
Only recently, Look Loy rejected an offer for his league/clubs to be the pro league's second division, opting instead to have his own 2019 season of the TTSL, which is set to kick off on the same day as the pro league (October 4).
However, when Guardian Media contacted some of the super league teams they revealed that their decision to play in either the TTSL or the Pro League Second Division will be influenced by whether they will have to pay to play, and if they will be playing for free.
Randy Hagley, the Guaya United manager said he will play in the Pro League second division. He has also called on the football association, being led by David John-Williams, to ban the super league this year, due to disagreement on the way the league has been managed, as well as failure to honour financial commitments.
Terry Williams of the Marabella Family Crisis Centre (MFCC), said his decision will be based on assurances that there will be funding available this year, saying "One thing I know, is that if we have to pay $45, 000 to play in the TTSL, we will not be playing because we do not have that money to pay." MFCC's financial woes were worsened by the closure of their main sponsor Petrotrin.
Williams said he has been given promises by the super league in the past that a sponsor will be sought, but this has not materialised and he will, therefore, wait to see this in writing first.
Derek Edwards of Petit Valley Diego Martin United echoed similar sentiments, saying his decision will be made on whether they will have to pay to play, as well as if they will be compensated for the football they play at the end. The super league has since called an extraordinary meeting at 8:30 am on Sunday to address these concerns and chart the way forward.
-
TTSL Statement regarding Second Tier Football
At the Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) Extraordinary General Meeting of Sunday 8 September 2019, member clubs rejected the joint offer from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and the TT Pro League (TTPL) to join the latter as its second division. TTSL believes the effort of TTFA and TTPL to form a second tier in the latter by poaching TTSL members is unethical, political and short-sighted.
Abandoned by both TTFA and TTPL, fellow signatories to the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement to establish the T-League, TTSL members agreed to stage the 2019 Super League competition between 4 October and 14 December 2019.
In a statement of organizational principle and values, and rejecting the US$8000 being offered to TTSL clubs to jump ship, participating clubs of 2019 Super League competition agreed to pay a registration fee of TT$1,000.
The following clubs have confirmed their participation:
1. Bethel United FC
2. Club Sando
3. Metal X Erin FC
4. FC Santa Rosa
5. Guaya United FC
6. Matura Reunited FC
7. Petit Valley/Diego Martin United FC
8. Police FC
9. Prisons FC
10. Queen’s Park CC
11. RSSR
12. San Fernando Giants FC
13. UTT
TTSL’s 2019 competition is sponsored by Ascension Limited and Raymond Tim Kee Investments Limited.
The details of TTSL Cup are:
Registration fee of TTD 1’000
Inclusion of one Tobago club
TTSL to provide inter-island transportation
TTSL to subsidize ground transportation for all visiting teams (to a maximum of TT$1,500 per match)
TTSL to provide a match result bonus: Win (TT$1,000), Draw (TT$500).
TTSL to provide referees and match commissioners
Clubs to be responsible for staging their home matches.
-
Ascension Super League offers financial equity.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
The T&T Ascension Super League is set for kick-off on October 20 with 13 teams ready to go at each other, Keith Look Loy, the T&TSL president revealed on Wednesday at a press conference at the Terminix La Horquetta Rangers facility in La Horquetta.
The League, a one-round affair that will see the action going down to December 15, is being sponsored by Ascension and it will provide financial equity for all participating clubs.
Look Loy in outlining some of the benefits to be gained by his competition, said he proposed that a $100,000 amount to be used for prizes be split equitably among all participating teams, so that the last-place team will walk away with $1100, with $2200 for the 12th-place team, $3300 for 11th-place club, and going all the way up to the winner which will receive a handsome $14, 000 and trophy.
Look Loy promised that should his league receive another sponsor then the clubs will stand to get more money.
He told the media their decision to share the prizes the way they have, was apt, as it will be used to show appreciation to their loyal members who were being pursued by other leagues and tournaments, but have stayed with the super league.
In addition to the cash incentives, the super league will offer cash bonuses of $1, 000 for teams that win a match. However, if the match is drawn, then the teams will split the bonus $500 each.
According to Look Loy, there will also be a transportation fee with a maximum limit of $15 00 for travelling teams. For shorter distances, however, such as teams in the east travelling to and from matches, they will get an $800 fee.
There will also be a $2, 000 cash incentive for the best goalkeeper, the player scoring the most goals (golden boot award) and for the most valuable player of the tournament.
However, Look Loy was quick to note that participating clubs will have to pay a registration fee of $1, 000. The composition of the super league was reduced over the years due mainly to the inability of some clubs to be compliant, a bye-law of the TTSL that sees inactive members for two consecutive being thrown out, and clubs that fail to make the registration deadline being thrown out.
Ascension and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers manager Richard Ferguson said their entry into local football had been carefully planned.
He told the gathering that his organisation, back in 2017 did a feasibility study, projections on cash flows etc and had discovered that there was an untapped market.
He is predicting that within the next three years, they will begin to break even before profits will begin to flow.
On his facility alone, Ferguson said, they have spent over $7 million, noting that by the time they are finished building a road, a stage and car park etc, that amount will climb to about $10 million. From the Terminix La Hoprquetta Rangers' prudent business model, Ferguson explained that they will recover all the monies spent to date.
After 11 matches of the recent Ascension Invitational Football League alone, Terminix Rangers recovered over
$525,000 in total, which saw the team make over $55,000 per game.
Ferguson urges clubs to marry the sport, which is entertainment, with the local culture as a means of increasing gate receipts and support.
RELATED NEWS
Terminix Super League kicks off this weekend.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THE 2019 edition of the Terminix Super League will kick off this weekend with Match Day One action.
Reigning champs FC Santa Rosa will square off against RSSR FC in the opening match on Saturday, from 4 pm, at the Arima Velodrome, and Metal X Erin FC will host Club Sando Uprising Youths at the Erin Recreation Ground from 6.30 pm.
Two games will take place from 7 pm – UTT entertaining Petit Valley/Diego Martin United at the UTT O’Meara campus, Arima and Matura ReUnited against Queen’s Park at the Matura Recreation Ground.
On Sunday, San Fernando Giants will tackle Police, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, from 3.30 pm, while Prisons Service will host Bethel United, at the YTC Ground, Arouca from 4 pm. Guaya United will be on a bye.
The 2019 season, which will run until December 15, was launched yesterday, at the Phase Two La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima, with Super League president Keith Look Loy and Terminix director Richard Ferguson addressing the media.
“It’s going to be a one-round season because of events that has occasioned this,” said Look Loy, referencing to the failed T League venture, which would have been a combination of Pro League and Super League teams.
“We went searching for sponsorship,” he continued. “We received a positive response from Ferguson who has filled a huge void in our club football in 2019. He stepped in to sponsor the Ascension football tournament and he immediately agreed to become the title sponsor of the 2019 Super League.
“We have sponsorship from Raymond Tim Kee and Investments, and we have one other sponsor, who shall remain nameless, who have come on board,” Look Loy said. “This is the first time that the Super League will be offering monies (in three years).”
Ferguson said, “This is our first year of sponsoring the football league and it will definitely not be the last. We’re hoping to increase our sponsorship, get more involved in television (and) more exposure for players, to get a higher calibre of TT players.”
With regards to prize monies for the 13 participating teams, Look Loy said, “We have a match bonus of $1,000 if your club win a match, if the match is drawn the two clubs get $500. We are giving a $2,000 prize to the MVP (Most Valuable Player), the best goalkeeper and the golden boot.
“We have a commitment for $100,000 in prize monies,” he added. “Everybody plays and if any finances are generated, then it should be paid equitably. The last team should get $1,100 and the first place team should get $14,000.”
Look Loy listed a few clubs who chose not to participate in the Super League this season – 1976 Phoenix FC, Harlem Strikers, Marabella Family Crisis Centre and Cunupia FC.
“They sat in the meeting where we discussed details of the league to launch itself on Saturday as well as the incentives that are on offer,” said Look Loy. “They were given a deadline and chose not to participate.”
He continued, “There are those that cannot participate because of TTFA membership non-compliance.”
Local cable network TTEN, in conjunction with Island Sports Network and TV6, will be showing matches live and/or delayed.
-
Well done, Super League!
-
Super League opening match called off.
By Ryan Bachoo (Guardian).
The first game of the new T&T Super League failed to kick off on Saturday afternoon at the Arima Velodrome, Arima between FC Santa Rosa and RSSR FC. Guardian Media Sports understands the RSSR players showed up to the game without identification cards, which are required to be presented to the match commissioner before kickoff.
The match was abandoned by the commissioner and the referees. Brandon Greene, the match commissioner has since submitted a report to the competitions manager, Richard Piper, and it is now before him. It remains unclear whether FC Santa Rosa has gotten the full three points for the abandonment.
Also kicking off its season last night were the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), which hosted Petit Valley/Diego Martin United and Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC), which visited Matura ReUnited F.C. Both those matches had 7 pm kickoffs.
The league’s start came just after a month of reports surfacing it faced an uncertain future. While there will also be three matches today, the 2019 edition of the tournament will run from this weekend through to December 15 with 13 teams competing across the same number of match days. Last season’s fourth-placed team Cunupia FC looks set to compete in the upcoming Ascension Premier League, which will be the top flight of local football.
President of the T&T Super League (TTSL) Keith Look Loy reacted to the start of the new season yesterday, saying there was an attempt to undermine the TTSL. He told Guardian Media Sports, “John-Williams and his people came up with a TT Pro League and invited our clubs to play. As far as we in the Super League are concerned, this was a blatant attempt to entice our members away from our league and to undermine the Super League, and our members stood firm.”
Look Loy said the league had to ramp up its operations quickly because a month ago they were talking about the T-League.
But if last season’s competition was anything to go by, the Super League had an enthralling end in 2018. FC Santa Rosa merely nicked QPCC by one point after 26 matches and both teams locked on the same goal difference.
The league will continue into this weekend with matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Today’s matches
Metal X Erin F.C. vs Club Sando Upraising Youths - Erin Recreation Ground - 6:30pm
San Fernando Giants vs Police F.C. - MRS, Training Field - 3:30pm
Prisons Service F.C. vs Bethel United F.C. - Y.T.C., Arouca - 4pm
-
Prisons Service crush Bethel in Super League opener.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
PRISONS Service opened the Terminix Super League in convincing fashion, courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Bethel United, on Sunday, at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) Ground, in Arouca.
In their Match Day One fixture, Prisons got a pair from Jayson Joseph (66th and 76th minutes) and one apiece from Nathan Julien (43rd) and Troy Moses (86th).
Also on Sunday, San Fernando Giants edged Police 2-1 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella.
The Giants got goals from Keston Grant (49th) and Akido Joseph (63rd) with Arvid Applewhite (66th) pulling one back for the lawmen.
UTT inflicted a 5-1 beating on Petit Valley/Diego Martin United at the UTT O’Meara Ground.
Finding the back of the net for UTT were Romario Williams (seventh), Cyrano Glen (38th), Kevaughn Connell (63rd), Reinaldo Atwell (65th) and Theon James (85th). Ishaq Abdullah (32nd) got the lone item for the visitors.
Brendon Figuera notched a double, in the 23rd and 90th, as Matura ReUnited defeated Queen’s Park 2-1 at the Matura Recreation Ground. Devon Modeste pulled one back for the Parkites, from the penalty spot, in the third minute of second half stoppage time.
FC Santa Rosa earned a 3-0 win over RSSR FC at the Arima Velodrome, and the game between Erin FC and Club Sando, which was carded for the Erin Recreation Ground, has been rescheduled.
Match Day Two action will be staged this coming weekend (October 11-13).
-
UTT whip Guaya United in Super League.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
UTT whipped Guaya United 4-2 on Saturday, at the Manzanilla Recreation Ground, in a Match Day 2 fixture, as the Terminix Super League continued last weekend.
Keshon Carter put UTT ahead with a pair of goals, in the 16th and 18th minutes, and ex-national midfielder Kevaughn Connell extended the lead in the 39th.
Brandon Lewis reduced the deficit to 3-2 with strikes in the 80th (penalty) and 82nd, but Dillon Bartholomew guaranteed full points for the visitors when he found the back of the net, in the 90th.
Also on Saturday, Police edged RSSR FC 3-2 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima.
The lawmen got goals from Keron Lawrence (own goal in the fourth minute), Isaiah Price (ninth) and Jesse Joseph (28th), with RSSR FC replying with strikes from Corey Isaac (35th) and Hakeem Gulston (90th).
FC Santa Rosa made it two straight wins, courtesy of a 2-1 result over Metal X Erin FC at the Arima Velodrome on Friday.
Finding the back of the net for Santa Rosa were Enrique Sanchez (24th) and Rashad Griffith (35th), with Tyrese Reefer (90th) replying for Erin.
Petit Valley/Diego Martin United registered a 2-1 win over Matura ReUnited at the St Anthony’s Ground, Westmoorings on Sunday.
Quincy Charles (15th and 55th) netted twice for Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, with Zavion Navarro-Patron (86th) responding for the visitors.
Queen’s Park and Prisons Service battled to a 2-2 draw at the St Mary’s Ground in St Clair. Trevon Mitchell (12th) and Devon Modeste (61st) found the back of the net for the Parkites, and Nathan Julien (sixth and 90th) was on target for Prisons Service.
In Sunday’s other encounter, Bethel United got the better of San Fernando Giants 3-1 at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground.
-
Prisons Service move to top spot in Super League
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
PRISONS SERVICE moved from third to first place in the Terminix Super League on Wednesday.
In a Match Day Three encounter at the UTT Ground in O’Meara, Arima, Prisons defeated hosts and overnight leaders UTT 2-0, with items from Nathan Julien, in the 20th minute, and Anthony Parris, in the 62nd.
Like UTT, FC Santa Rosa had their two-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, by a similar 2-0 result, against Police, at the Dibe Recreation Ground in Long Circular, St James.
Isaiah Pryce broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute and Dwayne Gonzales found the back of the net in the 83rd.
Tee Jay Cadiz struck in the 79th minute as Bethel United edged Club Sando Uprising Youths 1-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella.
San Fernando Giants defeated Guaya United 2-1 at Plaisance Park, San Fernando. Keon Figaro put Giants ahead in the 15th but Ronaldo Ragoo tied the scores in the 24th. However, Giants got the go-ahead goal 10 minutes later, from Keston Grant.
RSSR FC came from a goal down to beat Petit Valley/Diego Martin United 3-1 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field, Mucurapo.
Eric Charles gave Petit Valley/Diego Martin United a ninth minute lead, but RSSR FC rallied in the second half, with strikes from Osaze Springer (75th), Hakim Gulston (82nd) and Kerron Mitchell (85th).
The scheduled match between Metal X Erin FC and Queen’s Park, at the Erin Recreation Ground, did not play.
Weekend Match Day Four Fixtures –
Saturday – Police vs Club Sando Uprising Youths, Larry Gomes Stadium, 4 pm; UTT vs Matura ReUnited, UTT O’Meara, Arima, 7 pm.
Sunday – Prisons Service vs Guaya United, YTC Arouca; Petit Valley/Diego Martin United vs San Fernando Giants, St Anthony’s Ground; Queen’s Park vs RSSR FC, St Mary’s Ground, 4 pm; Bethel United vs Metal X Erin FC, Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, 5.30 pm.
-
WATCH: Nathan Julien's goalscoring form continues as he helped Prison Service FC to a 3-1 win over Guaya United
https://www.youtube.com/v/m-4tmFKklto
-
Parkites hit RSSR 7, Prisons stay in control.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Prolific Queen's Park Cricket Club's (QPCC) goalscorer Devon Modeste fired in a hat-trick to lead his team to a 7-0 rout of RSSR FC when action in the Ascension Super League resumed at the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
However, the Parkites are seventh in the standings with four points from three matches, trailing leaders Prisons Service FC by six points.
The Prisons' officers moved to 10 points behind their 3-1 victory over struggling Guaya United FC. The winners got goals from Aaron Peters in the ninth, Troy Moses in the 24th and Nathan Julien before the half-time interval.
The Parkites also got a pair of goals from Sean De Silva in the 30th and 42nd, and a goal apiece from Jason Devonish (22nd) and Kern Gardiner (36th).
The University of T&T (UTT) stays on the heels of the leaders after hammering Matura ReUnited 8-2, from braces from Kevaughn Connell (11th, 44th) and Glen Walker (79th and 89th).
Police were also comfortable 6-0 victors over Club Sando Uprising Youths.
RESULTS
UTT 8 (Keshon Carter 6th, Kevaughn Connell 11th & 44th, Dillon Bartholomew 64th, Isaiah Mejias 71st, Glen Walker 79th &89th, Theon James 86th) vs Matura ReUnited 2 (Joel Hoyte 20th pen, Gerald Meloney 84th)
Police FC 6 (Colin Williams 25th pen, Kadeem Riley 28th, 80th, 85th, Andrei Pacheco 55th, Akleil Thomas 60th) vs Club Sando Uprising Youths 0
Prisons Service FC 3 (Aaron Peters 9th, Troy Moses 24th, Nathan Julien 45th) vs Guaya United FC 1 (Raciel Bailey 39th)
Bethel United FC 1 (Tee Jay Cadiz 3rd) vs Metal X Erin FC 1 (Givon John 80th)
QPCC 7 (Jason Devenish 22nd, Sean De Silva 30th, 42nd, Devon Modeste 32nd 59th, 65th pen, Kern Gardiner 36th) vs RSSR 0
LATEST TEAM STANDINGS
TEAMS*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*PTS
1*Prisons Service F.C*4*3*1*0*11*3*8*10
2*U.T.T*4*3*0*1*17*7*10*9
3*Police F.C*4*3*0*1*12*4*8*9
4*Bethel United F.C*4*2*1*1*5*6*-1*7
5*F.C. Santa Rosa*3*2*0*1*5*3*2*6
6*San Fernando Giants*3*2*0*1*5*5*0*6
7*Q.P.C.C*3*1*1*1*10*4*6*4
8*Petit Valley /Diego Martin United*3*1*0*2*4*9*-5*3
9*Matura ReUnited F.C*3*1*0*2*5*11*-6*3
10*R.S.S.R. F.C*4*1*0*3*5*14*-9*3
11*Metal X Erin F.C*2*0*1*1*2*3*-1*1
12*Guaya United F.C*3*0*0*3*4*9*-5*0
13*Club Sando Uprising Youths*2*0*0*2*0*7*-7*0
-
Prisons trounce Petit Valley/Diego Martin Utd.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
JAYSON JOSEPH notched a beaver-trick as Prisons FC trounced Petit Valley/Diego Martin United 8-0 on Sunday, in a Match Day Five fixture of the Terminix Super League.
In front of their home fans at the YTC Arouca Ground, Joseph got his name on the scoresheet in the eighth, 42nd, 61st and 69th minutes. Nathan Julien struck in the 62nd and 77th minutes, with Donell Herbert (43rd) and Koreem Paponette (89th) contributing one apiece.
Prisons stayed atop the 13-team standings with 13 points from five games, with Police and Bethel United next with 10 points each.
Police moved up one spot to second place after a 1-1 draw with Metal X Erin FC at the Erin Recreation Ground.
Samuel John put Erin ahead in the 45th but Keron St Cyr equalised for the lawmen in the 55th.
Bethel United also jumped one place to third after defeating RSSR FC 2-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field, Mucurapo. Shaffie McKenzie got both goals for the visitors, in the ninth and 59th minutes.
Queen’s Park earned a 2-1 victory over San Fernando Giants at the St Mary’s Ground, St Clair.
Jason Devenish (56th) and ex-TT midfielder Sean De Silva (75th) were the goal-getters for the Parkites, with Keston Grant (82nd) replying for San Fernando.
A pair of matches were contested on Saturday.
Club Sando Uprising Youths fought back from a goal down to beat FC Santa Rosa 2-1 at the Guapo Recreation Ground. Rashad Griffith (76th) put Santa Rosa in front before Club Sando rallied to get full points courtesy strikes from Amare Ettienne (85th) and Rondell Phillip (89th).
Matura ReUnited FC got an 87th minute leveller from Brendon Figueroa as they drew 1-1 with Guaya United at the Matura Recreation Ground. Brandon Lewis was on target for Guaya, in the 11th.
There will be a rescheduled Match Day One encounter tomorrow with Metal X Erin FC hosting Club Sando Uprising Youths at the Erin Recreation Ground, from 6 pm.
STANDINGS
P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
Prisons Service*5*4*1*0*19*3*13
Police FC*5*3*1*1*13*5*10
Bethel United*5*3*1*1*7*6*10
UTT*4*3*0*1*17*7*9
Queen's Park*4*2*1*1*12*5*7
FC Santa Rosa*4*2*0*2*6*5*6
San Fernando Giants*4*2*0*2*6*7*6
Matura ReUnited*4*1*1*2*6*12*4
Club Sando Youths*3*1*0*2*2*8*3
RSSR FC*5*1*0*4*5*16*3
P Valley/DMartin*4*1*0*3*4*17*3
Metal X Erin FC*3*0*2*1*3*4*2
Guaya United*4*0*1*3*5*10*1
-
Suspended TTSL clubs threaten legal action.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Clubs who were debarred from entering or voting at Sunday's Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the T&T Super League at the Queen's Park Oval are now seeking legal advice that could overturn the selection of delegates for the forthcoming T&T Football Association elections on November 24.
And one member has openly called on his colleagues to throw their support behind Terminix La Horquetta Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson, whose actions to date, he said, have been an example of what should happen in local football for it to progress.
Marabella Family Crisis Centre, Harlem Strikers, Phoenix FC and 500 Spartans, among other clubs, were informed Sunday that they had been suspended as members and shareholders when they showed up for the TTSL AGM. Guaya United boss Randy Hagley also was not allowed entry into the meeting had to threaten legal action before being given entry and also being allowed to vote.
Yesterday, two days after the meeting, Marabella FCC's Terrence Boissiere and Harlem Strikers Gregory Mc Sween made it clear they are not taking the action lightly.
The two, along with other clubs executives, said they have letters of commitment from the Super League that they will be included in the 2019 edition of the tournament after they missed the 2018 season due to registration mix-ups.
"As members of the T&TFA, we were not given letters of our suspension and for what reason, which is a mandatory process. I was informed of my club's suspension while having a drink at a bar," Mc Sween told the T&T Guardian.
Boissiere and Mc Sween believe the decision to suspend them constituted a major breach of the constitution and was unfairly done by TTSL president Keith Look Loy to get delegates to vote for his United TTFA slate at the coming TTFA elections.
Cunupia FC coach Michael De Four, who was allowed to vote on Sunday, told Guardian Media that Look Loy and the Super League executive had months to decide on a date to vote for delegates, but waited until a month before the TTFA election to hastily send out information, which some members may not have gotten. He said he believed this was done deliberately to keep certain members away.
Hagley echoed similar sentiments when contacted. Guaya United was one of eight TTSL delegates before Sunday but they have now been replaced. Guaya United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Police FC and Cunupia FC were replaced among the delegate listing by RSSR, Prison Service, QPCC and UTT. The new eight delegates are now FC Santa Rosa, Prisons, Queen's Park, RSSR, UTT, Club Sando, Bethel United and San Fernando Giants.
Contacted on Tuesday, Look Loy said, "The Super League is a democratic organisation, decisions were taken and the entire League stands by those decisions and what anyone else has to say is immaterial, I have no response to that.
"I am not going to engage in any bacchanal with people who have been subjected to the rule of law by the majority of the League."
Meanwhile, the TTSL confirmed that Bethel United FC, Club Sando, FC Santa Rosa, Prisons FC, Queen's Park Cricket Club, RSSR FC, San Fernando Giants FC and UTT FC had been elected to represent TTSL at the 2019 TTFA AGM. In a release, it said 12 of the TTSL's 14 clubs participated in Saturday's AGM at the Queen's Park Oval and the meeting also unanimously approved the 2018 Activity Report and Audited Financial Statement. It added that Anderson Veronique was also elected to the TTSL board at the meeting.
As far as the TTFA election is concerned, Guaya United's Hagley has openly said he will support incumbent TTFA president David John-Williams in the election race, but De Four yesterday called on members to throw their support behind Ferguson, saying he has shown what should be done by clubs to generate money and become self-sustainable, as well as how football should be managed, in the short time he has been involved in local football.
"This is a man who has shown the capability to generate funds by the way he runs his club alone. He has also shown the ability to manage the sport the way the country needs it. Unlike the other candidates who are promising to secure funds, this man will be providing his funding and I am sure he will turn the fortunes of T&T football around if given a chance," De Four said.
He added, "I cannot imagine the electorate voting for anyone else but Ferguson, knowing what he has to offer. It will be sad if that happens."
-
Suspended TTSL clubs threaten legal action.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Clubs who were debarred from entering or voting at Sunday's Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the T&T Super League at the Queen's Park Oval are now seeking legal advice that could overturn the selection of delegates for the forthcoming T&T Football Association elections on November 24.
And one member has openly called on his colleagues to throw their support behind Terminix La Horquetta Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson, whose actions to date, he said, have been an example of what should happen in local football for it to progress.
Marabella Family Crisis Centre, Harlem Strikers, Phoenix FC and 500 Spartans, among other clubs, were informed Sunday that they had been suspended as members and shareholders when they showed up for the TTSL AGM. Guaya United boss Randy Hagley also was not allowed entry into the meeting had to threaten legal action before being given entry and also being allowed to vote.
Yesterday, two days after the meeting, Marabella FCC's Terrence Boissiere and Harlem Strikers Gregory Mc Sween made it clear they are not taking the action lightly.
The two, along with other clubs executives, said they have letters of commitment from the Super League that they will be included in the 2019 edition of the tournament after they missed the 2018 season due to registration mix-ups.
"As members of the T&TFA, we were not given letters of our suspension and for what reason, which is a mandatory process. I was informed of my club's suspension while having a drink at a bar," Mc Sween told the T&T Guardian.
Boissiere and Mc Sween believe the decision to suspend them constituted a major breach of the constitution and was unfairly done by TTSL president Keith Look Loy to get delegates to vote for his United TTFA slate at the coming TTFA elections.
Cunupia FC coach Michael De Four, who was allowed to vote on Sunday, told Guardian Media that Look Loy and the Super League executive had months to decide on a date to vote for delegates, but waited until a month before the TTFA election to hastily send out information, which some members may not have gotten. He said he believed this was done deliberately to keep certain members away.
Hagley echoed similar sentiments when contacted. Guaya United was one of eight TTSL delegates before Sunday but they have now been replaced. Guaya United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Police FC and Cunupia FC were replaced among the delegate listing by RSSR, Prison Service, QPCC and UTT. The new eight delegates are now FC Santa Rosa, Prisons, Queen's Park, RSSR, UTT, Club Sando, Bethel United and San Fernando Giants.
Contacted on Tuesday, Look Loy said, "The Super League is a democratic organisation, decisions were taken and the entire League stands by those decisions and what anyone else has to say is immaterial, I have no response to that.
"I am not going to engage in any bacchanal with people who have been subjected to the rule of law by the majority of the League."
Meanwhile, the TTSL confirmed that Bethel United FC, Club Sando, FC Santa Rosa, Prisons FC, Queen's Park Cricket Club, RSSR FC, San Fernando Giants FC and UTT FC had been elected to represent TTSL at the 2019 TTFA AGM. In a release, it said 12 of the TTSL's 14 clubs participated in Saturday's AGM at the Queen's Park Oval and the meeting also unanimously approved the 2018 Activity Report and Audited Financial Statement. It added that Anderson Veronique was also elected to the TTSL board at the meeting.
As far as the TTFA election is concerned, Guaya United's Hagley has openly said he will support incumbent TTFA president David John-Williams in the election race, but De Four yesterday called on members to throw their support behind Ferguson, saying he has shown what should be done by clubs to generate money and become self-sustainable, as well as how football should be managed, in the short time he has been involved in local football.
"This is a man who has shown the capability to generate funds by the way he runs his club alone. He has also shown the ability to manage the sport the way the country needs it. Unlike the other candidates who are promising to secure funds, this man will be providing his funding and I am sure he will turn the fortunes of T&T football around if given a chance," De Four said.
He added, "I cannot imagine the electorate voting for anyone else but Ferguson, knowing what he has to offer. It will be sad if that happens."
:shameonyou:
That may be the case but, on the face of it, you all doh geh off so easily.
In the context of the TTFA's delay in adhering faithfully to its own pre-election procedures (see contributions by Osmond Downer) and the collective and common knowledge of Super League clubs and their constituents that an election was imminent, it is not sufficient to float the ball onto the Super League directorate exclusively.
Clubs and their constituents were all placed to drive to the finishing line they preferred, and to advocate for precision and early definition in the Super League electoral process -which is universally known to be a precursor to the TTFA election.
Whereas in other instances the Super League clubs have proven not to be helpless and hapless participants, why in this instance should the clubs be viewed as helpless and hapless actors? Ah not buying that. All ah allyuh big and have sense.
Among a range of contributing factors, let us not ignore that some of you were giddied and distracted by various fruits of the Ascension League. And, as between reactive and proactive persons in football we know which group is more abundantly populated. Reaction only gets us "so far".
Proaction further.
The 11th hour submission that there is posturing in the politics of football doesn't exonerate the clubs of responsibility or surprise anyone.
A month before (if accurate) is a long time. Contrastingly, the Electoral Committee of the TTFA doesn't have to confirm publicly who the approved candidates are for TTFA office are ... until a much shorter period prior to the election, despite the interim deafening silence.
Everyone has to take ownership of football.
-
Is Richard Ferguson related to Steve Ferguson?
curious as to where he came from with this mountain of $ willing to throw into the football suddenly
Yes it may be needed but I know I'm not the only one wondering where this all came from
-
Is Richard Ferguson related to Steve Ferguson?
curious as to where he came from with this mountain of $ willing to throw into the football suddenly
Yes it may be needed but I know I'm not the only one wondering where this all came from
Kinda late to be asking.
-
ummmmmmmmm.......
didnt know it had a timing to ask.
honestly dont know if there is a direct relation
-
Prisons FC credits success to game plan changes
By Sherdon Pierre (T&T Newsday)
PRISON Services Football Club have made significant adjustments to their game and are reaping immediate benefits as they sit on top the Super League after six matches.
Prisons FC placed third last year in the TTFA Super League which was their best ever placing in the tournament but they ought to strive for better this season.
A satisfied coach Anderson Veronique explained, “We learnt from the Ascension league that we weren’t converting our chances and moving the ball fast enough. So, we are trying to prevent defensive errors and moving the ball faster forward in transition so we could convert our possession into goals.”
Veronique gave insight on another addition made by the coaching staff which seems to be instrumental thus far in the season.
He said, “We have improved on taking statistics from our matches so that we can focus our training based on the data found.”
Recently, there have been several football leagues playing across the country simultaneously but Veronique confirmed that his team will be staying in the Super League reason being that their coaching staff is too limited in resources. Also, elated on the commendable start of the season is manager Idrees Mohammed, he said, “We have a great bunch of talented guys who work hard everyday to achieve one goal which is to win the Super League this year and make the Prisons Service proud.”
However, he stated a major limitation to their success is the lack of funding.
“Sponsorship is a significant hiccup as we have been rallying three seasons now without any substantial assistance. Prisons FC is pleading to the business community for assistance as they excel in the field of play.”
One of Prison FC’s top performer is Nathan Julien, he shouldered his team throughout the season last year by scoring 19 goals which was good enough for him to finish second in the goals tally.
The lanky, skillfull striker extended his scoring form into this season as he is currently leading scorer with 8 goals and has aspirations of suiting up for the red-black and white. The 27 year-old said, “I would love to represent my country, it`s been my boyhood dream.” At the moment, Prisons FC lead the Super League with 13 points including 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat followed by Police FC with 10 points and Bethel United with same amount of points.
-
Police, Bethel look to join Prisons atop Super League.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
POLICE and Bethel will each be looking to join Prisons FC atop the Terminix Super League points standings when they square off against each other tomorrow in a Match Day Seven fixture at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground.
Both Police and Bethel have 10 points, three less than Prisons FC. With the prison officers on a bye, then it will be up to either Police or Bethel to keep up the pressure on the league leaders.
The Police-Bethel encounter will kick off at 5.30 pm, with three other matches tomorrow carded for 3.30 pm.
San Fernando Giants will oppose Matura ReUnited at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field in Marabella, Queen’s Park will square off against FC Santa Rosa at the St Mary’s Ground in St Clair and the struggling Petit Valley/Diego Martin United will host Club Sando Uprising Youths at the Diego Martin North Secondary School Ground.
There will be two matches on today’s agenda with the bottom pair of Guaya United and Metal X Erin FC squaring off at the Manzanilla Recreation Ground from 5.30 pm and UTT entertaining RSSR FC at the UTT O’Meara campus in Arima from 7 pm.
Six Results –
SATURDAY –
At Matura Recreation Ground: MATURA REUNITED (4) – Irvin Reyes 17th, 81st; Kern Diaz 35th, 70th vs PRISONS SERVICE FC (3) – Nathan Julien 33rd; Brandon Carliste 36th; Jayson Joseph 66th.
At Guapo Recreation Ground: CLUB SANDO UPRISING YOUTHS (4) – Rondell Phillip 62nd, 90th; Sylvester Teesdale 63rd, 79th vs QUEEN’S PARK (3) – Trevon Mitchell 19th; James Lashley 76th; Devon Modeste 89th.
SUNDAY –
At Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field: SAN FERNANDO GIANTS (2) – Tristan Khan 21st; Yohannes Richardson 66th vs UTT (0).
At Curepe Recreation Ground: RSSR FC (4) – Corey Isaac 25th; Jovon Vincent 36th; Osaze Springer 45th; Hakeem Gulston 68th vs GUAYA UNITED (2) – Brandon Lewis 52nd; Ronaldo Ragoo 85th.
At Erin Recreation Ground: PETIT VALLEY/DIEGO MARTIN UNITED (1) – Kazim Donald 36th vs METAL X ERIN FC (0).
At Arima Velodrome: FC SANTA ROSA vs BETHEL UNITED – match postponed.
STANDINGS
P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
Prisons Service*6*4*1*1*22*7*13
Police FC*5*3*1*1*13*5*10
Bethel United*5*3*1*1*7*6*10
UTT*5*3*0*2*17*9*9
San Fernando Giants*5*3*0*2*8*7*9
Queen’s Park*5*2*1*2*15*9*7
Matura ReUnited*5*2*1*2*10*15*7
Club Sando Youths*5*2*1*2*7*12*7
FC Santa Rosa*4*2*0*2*6*5*6
RSSR FC*6*2*0*4*9*18*6
PValley/DMartin*5*2*0*3*5*17*6
Metal X Erin FC*5*0*3*2*4*6*3
Guaya United*5*0*1*4*7*14*1
-
Bethel Utd beat Police 2-0 to move into second.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
BETHEL UNITED moved to second spot in the Terminix Super League after a 2-0 victory over Police, on Sunday, in a match day seven contest.
Spurred on by their home fans at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, Bethel broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Tee Jay Cadiz found the back of the net.
Police made matters worse for themselves in the 83rd minute when Devon Bristol netted an own goal, to guarantee Bethel’s fourth win of the season.
San Fernando Giants climbed to third on the points standings after a 3-1 victory over Matura ReUnited at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella.
Tristan Khan put the Giants in front after 11 minutes but Shervin Charles tied the scores in the 19th.
Akido Joseph restored Giants’ lead in the 61st and Keston Grant but the game beyond Matura’s reach when he scored in the 78th.
At the St Mary’s Ground in St Clair, former TT midfielder Sean De Silva got his name on the scoresheet, in the 37th, as Queen’s Park edged FC Santa Rosa 1-0.
Petit Valley/Diego Martin United were held to a 3-3 draw by Club Sando Uprising Youths, at the Diego Martin North Secondary School ground. Kazim Donald (21st and 28th) and Ishaq Abdullah (90th) found the back of the net for the hosts, while Rondell Phillip (11th and 34th) and Jeremy Primus (17th) replied for Club Sando Uprising Youths.
On Saturday, UTT and RSSR FC battled to a 1-1 draw at the UTT O’Meara Ground in Arima. Cyrano Glen put UTT ahead in the 45th but Osaze Springer (76th) equalised for the visitors.
Metal X Erin FC earned a 3-0 default victory over Guaya United as Guaya’s home venue – Manzanilla Recreation Ground – was deemed unfit by the officials. Match Day Eight action will take place today.
-
Footballer Chuvalos George kick-starts a new career in politics
By Narissa Fraser (T&T Newsday)
CHUVALOS George is taking things off the field of play. The 30-year-old footballer from Diego Martin has kick-started his political career and will run for councillor of Morne Coco Road, Alyce Glenn, in the local government elections, on December 2. His desire is to give back to his community.
George has been playing football for over 15 years and is currently the captain of Petit Valley/Diego Martin United. He played with local clubs such as Trendsetter Hawks, San Juan Jabloteh and with secondary school teams Tranquillity Government Secondary School and St Anthony’s College. He also played in the US, on a scholarship, while attending Concordia College in Alabama.
His current favourite player is Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, who hails from France, but his all-time favourite is retired Argentinan football legend Diego Maradonna.
Asked what he loves most about the sport, he said, “I think it’s the thrill and the excitement, the passion, the experience you have when you’re running on that feel. You feel like you could do anything.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about love and the togetherness it brings. Football to me is life.”
His interest in politics began when he worked with senator and former social development minister Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh at the Ministry of Social Development in 2013.
“While working there, I was responsible for ensuring people would have gotten serviced properly. The main focus was customer service. “
He said a lot of young people in his community look up to him and often voice their complaints to him and seek advice.
“People would come to me with their plight, speaking about basic needs that aren’t being met, not being able to see the councillor and things like that.”
Some common complaints include lack of bridges, quality of roads, drains not being cleaned and basketball courts not having proper lighting and other issues with sporting facilities.
He said a court in the area had one working light for approximately four years until he decided to do something about it.
“There are two major basketball courts in my district. Both were dilapidated, one of them was partially fixed by people in the community.
“I was the one who ensured the other court had lights. I bought all the materials and an electrician in the community offered his services to change the light and capacitors for free.”
George has also greatly assisted with sport development in the area. In August, he held a youth sports camp called TEMPO (Transforming, Empowering, Promoting Opportunities). He said it was successful as the feedback was great.
After seeing what he had been doing to assist the community, some suggested he run as councillor for local government elections on December 2.
He said he feels confident and believes he can “bring home a victory.”
“They said, ‘Throw your hat in the ring. We’ll come out to support you.’
“I made the decision that if I ever got involved in politics, I would do it with a party that would allow me the flexibility to serve the people, which is the UNC (United National Congress).”
“I feel hopeful and I think the youth want to make a statement . They want proper representation by people who they could meet, who they would see, know their needs, understand their plight first and and willing to get the job done.”
-
Prison FC new Super League champs.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Hail Prison Service FC, the new champions of the Terminix T&T Super League.
On Sunday, the Prison officers, in their final match of the season, played to a 2-2 tie with Police FC in a battle of the Servicemen to race to an unassailable 29 points.
After leading the standings for most of the season, the Prison officers thought they were off to another win when Ricardo Alleyne handed them the advantage in the 19th minute of play.
However, Keron Clarke, the former FC Santa Rosa striker, levelled the scores for the Lawmen in the 35th minute, before Adrian Noel sent them ahead for the first time in the match with his item in the 62nd minute.
But with the match heading for a Police win, Nathan Julien saved the Prison officers’ blushes with an 87th-minute goal for a share of the points, thus ensuring that the bottles of champagne they took to celebrate were used for that purpose.
Meanwhile, Bethel United secured second although their encounter with Matura ReUnited did not play as scheduled yesterday due to a waterlogged ground. The Tobagonians have 25 points with one game in hand.
Police FC, who have now played their allotment of matches, have secured the third-place position with 23 points.
RESULTS:
UTT 4 (Warren Chase 41st, Kevaughn Connell 50th, Dillon Batholomew 57th, Isaiah Meijias 64th) v QPCC 0
PRISON SERVICE FC 2 (Ricardo Alleyne 19th, Nathan Julien 87th) v POLICE 2 (Keron Clarke 35th, Adrian Noel 62nd)
RSSR 8 (Osaze Springer 10th, 21st, 23rd, 29th, Hakim Gulston 35th, Kerron Mitchell 55th, Corey Isaac 62nd, Jeremiah Goddard 76th) v CLUB SANDO UPRISING YOUTHS 6 (Sylvester Teesdale 65th, Rondell Phillip 72nd, Andre Ettienne 75th, Isaiah Mc Intosh 79th, 88th, Anderson Morrison 90+2)
Current Standings
NO*TEAMS*P*W*D*L*F*A*GD*PTS
1*Prisons Service F.C*12*9*2*1*39*13*26*29
2*Bethel United F.C*11*8*1*2*26*17*9*25
3*Police F.C*12*6*5*1*27*13*14*23
4*U.T.T*12*6*1*5*31*23*8*19
5*San Fernando Giants*11*6*0*5*17*13*4*18
6*Matura ReUnited F.C*11*6*0*5*22*24*-2*18
7*Club Sando Uprising Youths*12*5*3*4*30*35*-5*18
8*Q.P.C.C*11*4*3*4*23*18*5*15
9*R.S.S.R. F.C*12*4*1*7*19*40*-21*13
10*F.C. Santa Rosa*11*3*1*7*19*25*-6*10
11*Metal X Erin F.C*11*2*3*6*18*15*3*9
12*Petit Valley/Diego Martin United*11*2*2*7*13*34*-21*8
13*Guaya United F.C*11*0*4*7*13*27*-14*4
-
Protest win puts Prison FC's title celebrations on ice.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
It seems Prison Service FC may have celebrated their success in the Terminix Super League too soon.
A day after organisers handed the Prison officers the title came word that second-placed Bethel United FC, currently on 25 points, have won an appeal against Police from a November 10 encounter at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground in Tobago. Bethel won that game 4-1 but the win was given to the Lawmen on the basis of a protest by them that the ground was not suitable for play.
Bethel, it is understood, appealed the result and were yesterday awarded the win and three goals, which took them to 28 points, just one point behind Prison and now still with their game against Matura ReUnited to be played.
The Prison officers have 29 points with no more games to play. This means the Tobagonians will have to beat sixth-placed Matura ReUnited in the final match at a date and time to be decided. Should that match end in a tie, the Prison officers could have the upper hand in securing the title based on a superior goal difference of 26, compared to Bethel’s nine.
On Sunday, the Prison Service appeared to have moved out of reach of their closest rivals on 29 points despite a 2-2 draw with Police courtesy goals from Ricardo Alleyne and Nathan Julien.
-
Prisons FC slam Super League chaos
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
PRISONS Service FC have condemned “the abhorrent display of lack of transparency and inconsistent application of the competition rules by the TT Super League’s secretariat”, after they were initially adjudged as the champions of the 2019 Terminix Super League, only for that decision to be put on hold moments later.
Ferdinand Bibby, president of Prisons Service FC, issued a media release on Tuesday expressing their extreme disappointment.
On Sunday, the league’s competition manager, Richard Piper, issued a media release, at 6.21 pm, announcing Prisons were the 2019 champions after their game against Police FC, at the YTC Ground in Arouca, ended in a 2-2 draw. Prisons have a total of 29 points, four more than nearest challengers Bethel United, who have a game in hand.
However, at 6.50 pm on Sunday, the league sent another release, indicating Bethel were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to award Police the win in their November 10 clash.
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue, and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Bethel's successful appeal now puts them just one point behind Prisons with a game against Matura ReUnited in the final round and a chance of leapfrogging into first place. Both Police FC and Prisons FC claimed to be in the dark about Bethel's appeal when they played to a draw on Sunday. A Police FC official on Tuesday told Newsday the club on Monday appealed the reversal of the disciplinary committee's ruling.
Prisons Service FC are now asking a few questions – when was Bethel’s appeal lodged and did it meet the required timelines stipulated by the league; when and where did this appeals committee meet and decide upon Bethel’s appeal; and why the decision of the appeals committee was only communicated to clubs the night after the final round of competition.
According to the club, “The Super League has displayed itself as a beacon for good governance but will be susceptible to despotism if negative behaviours are left unchecked when displayed.”
RELATED NEWS
Prison FC challenges Bethel’s Super League appeal.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Upset over last-minute claims that Prison Service FC, with 29 points at the top of the standings, may not be the eventual winners of the Terminix Super League, the club’s president, Ferdinand Bibby, has called for clarification from the league on an appeal which could potentially snatch the title right out of their hands.
After Sunday’s 2-2 tie between Prison Service and Police, league organiser Richard Piper, in an email, had informed the media of the Prison’s triumph and congratulated the Arouca-based team for winning the title. Less than half-an-hour later, however, Piper sent out another email informing the media that Bethel United FC had won an appeal which took them to 28 points and could clinch the title if they beat Matura ReUnited in their final match at a date and time to be determined.
In a three-page document on Tuesday, however, Bibby called for transparency and clarity in the matter, saying it was causing distress among the affected clubs. In his letter of concern, Bibby asked: “When was Bethel United’s appeal lodged and did it meet the required timelines stipulated by the TTSL? When and where did this Appeals Committee meet and decided upon Bethel United’s appeal? and, Why the decision of the Appeals Committee was only communicated to clubs the night after the final round of the competition?”
According to Bibby, “It is clear that Piper, the Competition Manager, either wasn’t informed of the pending hearing of Bethel United’s appeal, or failed, or refused to inform the clubs of the fact prior to completion of the last round of football (with the obvious implication of the decision on the title race).”
He added, “If Piper, TTSL Competition Manager, didn’t know of Bethel United’s appeal then who knew? Peter Thomas, TTSL Secretary, is the official conduit of protests and appeals for the TTSL. Thomas was informed of the hearing of Bethel United’s appeal and failed or refused to inform Piper or the clubs of the fact of the pending appeal prior to completion of the last round of football (with the obvious implications of the decision on the title race).”
-
Prisons didn’t need to know
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).
Look Loy washes hands of Super League chaos –
PRISONS FC officials believe they should have been informed of an appeal by Bethel United points which would have altered the standings and prevent Prisons FC from winning the title, on Sunday.
However, president of the Super League Keith Look Loy,in an interview with Newsday, on Wednesday, said a matter involving two clubs is not necessarily the business of the entire league.
“When clubs register a protest or an appeal against a decision, that is not the business of the whole league, that is the business of the league and the two clubs involved. We don’t broadcast to every club in the league, every member, what is happening with disciplinary matters. We let them know if they are involved.”
Look Loy said when a decision is made that affects standings then all the teams are informed, which was done.
On Sunday, the TT Super League competition manager, Richard Piper, issued a media release, at 6.21 pm, announcing Prisons were the 2019 champions after their game against Police FC, at the YTC Ground in Arouca, ended in a 2-2 draw. It meant Prisons moved to 29 points, four more than nearest challengers Bethel United, who have a game in hand.
However, at 6.50 pm on Sunday, the league sent another release, indicating Bethel were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to award Police the win in their November 10 clash.
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Bethel’s successful appeal now puts them just one point behind Prisons with a game against Matura ReUnited in the final round and a chance of leapfrogging into first place.
Both Police FC and Prisons FC claimed to be in the dark about Bethel’s appeal when they played to a draw on Sunday.
Look Loy on the situation said, “...the Appeals Committee supported the Bethel appeal and the judicial process is completed.”
Addressing the release sent by Piper, Look Loy said, “He (Piper) was premature...Prisons knowing an appeal was in should not have gone off celebrating.”
Look Loy said that all the teams were carded to play their last match on Sunday, but because of the weather matches were postponed and now the title is in the hands of Bethel, who play their postponed final round match this coming Sunday. “Prisons has already played its full complement of games, its full schedule. Bethel has one left because Bethel’s game on Sunday by force of nature rained for three or four days made the ground impossible to be played on.”
The three matches postponed include: Matura versus Bethel at the Matura Recreation Ground; Guaya United versus Petit Valley/Diego Martin United at the Guaya Recreation Ground and San Fernando Giants versus FC Santa Rosa at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, Marabella.
In a press release, on Wednesday, signed by president of Prisons FC Ferdinand Bibby, the club believes more information should have been relayed to them and they were placed in a disadvantageous position.
The release said, “The Appeals Committee and Peter Thomas (Super League secretary) knew or ought to have known that the decision to award Bethel United the three points would have had an impact on the TTSL League standings, the title race and the tactics to be employed by clubs going into the final round of competition which was carded for Sunday 15 December, 2019.”
The Prisons FC release further said that the club would have liked to be informed sooner. “Why was it so important to withhold the decision until the night of Sunday 15th December, 2019? By withholding their decision until 7.10 pm on Sunday 15 December, 2019, the Appeals Committee placed Prison Service FC at an unfair disadvantage since Prison just like the other clubs in the league, media, fans, supporters and the general public who were following the league would have been harbouring a misconception that a certain permutation (Prison Service FC needing only one point to win the competition) was evident based on the legitimate expectation that the standings published and circulated by the TTSL competition manager, Richard Piper was correct and up-to-date.”
-
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Why was the match played at all if the conditions at the venue were "unfit"?
Wouldn't a determination of this nature be made prior to kick-off?
And, having been played shouldn't either team have been deemed to have waived appeal?
Had Police emerged victorious on the day would Police have appealed?
-
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Why was the match played at all if the conditions at the venue were "unfit"?
Wouldn't a determination of this nature be made prior to kick-off?
And, having been played shouldn't either team have been deemed to have waived appeal?
Had Police emerged victorious on the day would Police have appealed?
Under Law 5 - The Referee;
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the
Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been
appointed
Under normal FIFA rules, it is entirely the referee's decision if a pitch is in suitable condition to play. If the referee has made a determination, usually in consultation with any groundsmen, that the pitch is safe to play then the game is played.
What conditions overrode this? Why weren't they raised prior to kick-off to the referee or Match day official?
-
Isn't that jokey ?
-
Bethel with a chance to claim league crown.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
BETHEL UNITED will have a chance to claim the Terminix Super League crown, on Saturday, when they face Matura ReUnited in a rescheduled Match Day 13 encounter, at the Matura Recreation Ground.
The League, in a media release on Monday, said the result of Bethel’s November 10 match against Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, will remain 2-0 in Bethel’s favour.
Initially, Police protested the unfit state of the ground and were awarded a 3-0 win, via default, from the disciplinary committee. But Bethel, on December 15, were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to give Police full points from that fixture.
Bethel have a tally of 28 points from 11 matches, one point less than league leaders Prisons Service FC, who have finished their 2019 campaign.
On December 15, Prisons Service FC and Police played to a 2-2 draw, at the YTC Ground in Arouca. After that match, the League initially issued a media release which declared Prisons as the 2019 champions. However, a half-hour later, the League sent another release, which announced Bethel’s successful appeal.
Both Prisons Service and Police queried the events of December 15, but the League have made it clear that Bethel’s initial result, on November 10, will stand.
George Joseph, a co-ordinator with Bethel United, has called for the League to adapt their by-laws whereby all participating teams will be aware of disciplinary matters, instead of the affected parties.
“It’s just unfortunate for (Prisons) really,” said Joseph on Monday. “Probably that’s something that the League might have to look (at) going forward. Remember Prisons (weren’t) a party to this. Who should have been informed were Police and Bethel.
“Whether the whole group should have been informed, I don’t know. (The League) probably might have to look at that and, if everybody agrees, then they might have to accept it in the by-laws.”
According to Joseph, “I could understand where (Prisons) are coming from. For me, the Disciplinary Committee took too long (before) they gave their written decision. The written decision had to go before the Appeals Committee for them to judge.
“The Appeals Committee didn’t get that decision until the 10th of December, and the Appeals Committee gave their decision on the Sunday (15th). I don’t know if it’s within the rules of the Super League that you have to inform everybody because, subsequent to that, we are now knowing that they have several disciplinary matters and appeals that we weren’t aware of either.”
-
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Why was the match played at all if the conditions at the venue were "unfit"?
Wouldn't a determination of this nature be made prior to kick-off?
And, having been played shouldn't either team have been deemed to have waived appeal?
Had Police emerged victorious on the day would Police have appealed?
Refs basically gonna try to play it as resources limited and wanna get it done.
Some probably no experienced enough to make that call or simply prefer not to
saw some crazy conditions for QPCC @ bethel game as well n the game should have been called off or delayed at least
but the game played and bethel also scored a very controversial goal which was caught on film
QPCC also had a game in trini that should have been delayed in order for the ground to drain off a bit, and there was enough time to allow it as well but refs here simply not capable/not trained properly
-
Prisons win Super League title as season closer ends in draw.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).
THE 2019 Terminix Super League ended in dramatic fashion, on Saturday, as sixth-placed Matura ReUnited converted a stoppage time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw against Bethel United to keep the latter in second position on the standings and hand Prisons FC the title.
Prisons FC and Bethel United, of Tobago, both ended on 29 points after 12 rounds of action, but Prisons FC won the title because of a superior goal difference. Prisons ended the season with a goal difference of +26 compared to +13 by Bethel.
The match did not end in good spirits as the Bethel players hurled insults at referee Rashby McFie. Bethel players felt the penalty was soft and it should not have been given. Some of the players also felt that because McFie is a member of Prisons he gave Matura the stoppage time penalty to earn Matura the draw and hand Prisons the crown.
One player was heard saying, "He is a prisons officer, he want Prisons to win." Joel Hoyte converted the penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time to equalise for Matura ReUnited after Irvin Reyes was fouled just inside the box. Earlier in the match, Reyes gave Matura the lead in the 13th minute, before Tee Jay Cadiz levelled the match for Bethel in the 31st minute. Shaquille Cox gave Bethel their first lead of the match with a 65th minute strike. A number of Bethel players fell to the ground injured in the latter stages of the match which may have led to the seven minutes of stoppage time.
Reserve goalkeeper for Bethel Keston Saul, speaking with Newsday after the match, said the referee did not have the best match but Bethel could have converted their chances. "He (referee) could have done better, I am not putting blame (on him) because we had opportunities to score and to win but we still had it hard because I understand – I don't know if it is true – that the referee is also a prisons officer and we are fighting with Prisons for the league."
The match referee also told Newsday that one of the linesmen is also from the prisons service.
There was some confusion with the standings over the past two weeks. On December 15, the TT Super League competition manager, Richard Piper, issued a media release, at 6.21 pm, announcing Prisons were the 2019 champions after their game against Police FC, at the YTC Ground in Arouca, ended in a 2-2 draw. It meant Prisons moved to 29 points, four more than nearest challengers Bethel United, who had a match in hand.
However, at 6.50 pm on the same day, the league sent another release, indicating Bethel were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to award Police the win in their November 10 clash.
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. However, Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Bethel’s successful appeal put them just one point behind Prisons heading into Saturday's match against Matura ReUnited.
Saul said the team was not distracted by the changes in the points standings during the last two weeks. "We still had our focus and the task that we had to do because we know that we wanted to come out to play to win the league."
Prisons FC coach Anderson Veronique, was happy his team won the title, but said he tried to put the confusion with the standings behind him. "About a week ago I put that to rest, I moved on from that."
Veronique said he was satisfied with his team's efforts, saying his players had three matches in the space of seven days earlier in the campaign and earning seven points out of a possible nine points during that week help set up the title run.
Despite the heartbreaking end to the season, Saul said it was a memorable one for Bethel.
"The season was good for us because since we are in the Super League it is the highest that we have ever come although we had intentions of winning it, but tough luck today."
-
Bethel United to file complaint about match officials
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)
BETHEL United of Tobago plan to fight the decision by the 2019 Terminix Super League to use Prisons officials during their final match against Matura ReUnited, knowing that Bethel and Prisons were fighting for the Super League crown.
The league ended in dramatic fashion at Matura Recreation Ground, on Saturday, as sixth-placed Matura ReUnited converted a stoppage time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw against Bethel to keep the latter in second position on the standings and hand Prisons FC the title.
George Joseph, a coordinator with Bethel, said, “To avoid this situation repeating itself in the future we will file a complaint...the referee himself should have known Prisons could win the league and this match is a delicate one.”
Joseph, who said Super League officials did not give them an explanation as to why Prisons match officials were used, is surprised the league let that happen. “...that was a clear conflict of interest, that should never be allowed.”
Joseph said Bethel will send an official complaint within the next day or two. Newsday attempted to call Super League president Keith Look Loy, but was not successful.
Prisons FC and Bethel United both ended on 29 points after 12 rounds of action, but Prisons FC won the title because of a superior goal difference. Prisons ended the season with a goal difference of +26 compared to +13 by Bethel.
The match between Matura ReUnited and Bethel ended on a sour note, as the Bethel players voiced their frustration at referee Rashby McFie. Bethel players felt the penalty was soft and it should not have been given.
After the match one player was heard saying, “He is a prisons officer, he want Prisons to win.” The match referee also told Newsday that one of the linesmen was also from the prisons service.
There was also some confusion with the standings over the past two weeks. On December 15, the TT Super League competition manager, Richard Piper, issued a media release, at 6.21 pm, announcing Prisons were the 2019 champions after their final game against Police FC, at the YTC Ground in Arouca, ended in a 2-2 draw. It meant Prisons moved to 29 points, four more than nearest challengers Bethel United, who had a match in hand.
However, at 6.50 pm on the same day, the league sent another release, indicating Bethel were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to award Police the win in their November 10 clash.
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. However, Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Bethel’s successful appeal put them just one point behind Prisons heading into Saturday’s match against Matura ReUnited.
Prisons FC thought they only needed one point to win the title and earning the 2-2 draw was therefore enough. Prisons claimed they were not aware that Bethel were appealing the result in their Police match, but that appeal would have affected the standings and they should have been informed. Look Loy said a matter involving two clubs is not necessarily the business of the entire league.
“When clubs register a protest or an appeal against a decision, that is not the business of the whole league, that is the business of the league and the two clubs involved. We don’t broadcast to every club in the league, every member, what is happening with disciplinary matters. We let them know if they are involved.”
Look Loy said when a decision is made that affects standings then all the teams are informed, which was done.
-
Growing pains.
-
Prisons FC dominates TTSL awards.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Prisons Service FC walked away with the lion's share of trophies, medals and cash incentives when the Terminix T&T Super League held its End of Year Prizegiving Ceremony on Wednesday night at the President's Box of the Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.
The Prison officers were awarded for winning the prestigious League Trophy in the scaled-down one-round competition last year, in what will potentially be the last Super League tournament to be held. The T&T Super League will now give way for the coming Tier 1 and 2 League which is still to be given a name.
Keith Look Loy, president of the TTSL made this announcement in front of a small crowd that comprised approximately 10 out of the 13 participating teams. Prisons also received the Best Goalkeeper award, courtesy the heroics of Javon Bourne, and the Golden Boots prize that was won by striker Nathan Julien.
The Prison officers were set to walk away with a minimum of $31,500, an amount that could only change dependant on the figure given for travel.
Look Loy, at the beginning of the season, said from the $200,000 given in sponsorship, the clubs would share $100,000 among them for prizes, leaving the last-place team to receive $1,100, all the way up to the winning prize of $14,000 with trophies and medals.
There were also to be cash bonuses of $1,000 for a win and $500 for a draw. Teams were also to be paid for their travel to and from matches, in the sum of $800 and $1, 500.
However, Bethel United striker Teejay Cadiz was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP), a decision that was made easier after Cadiz was adjudged the best player in nine of his team's 12 matches.
But despite being ready to collect, clubs still could not collect their cash incentives as cheques made out in their names needed a third signature from the TTSL, Look Loy explained.
The TTSL boss also made it clear that bonuses, travel and other cash incentives will only be paid out to clubs when documents or paperwork is provided.
Terminix owner and managing director Richard Ferguson described the Super League as the best-run football tournament in T&T, saying it was a pleasure to support it financially.
"It shows transparency and accountability, it has the best football and most importantly, the biggest crowds. The T&T Pro League has nothing on the Super League," Ferguson said.
The La Horquetta Rangers boss, who has been a financial pillar of the sports locally, called for Look Loy's style of management in the TTSL, to be transferred to the new football tournaments in the future.
-
Nathan Julien shot dead in Maloney
By Melissa Stanisclaus (izzso.com)
28 year old Nathan Julien, a promising left footed Winger was shot in Maloney and subsequently pronounced dead last evening.
Julien represented Pro League Team St Ann’s Rangers and Super League outfit Santa Rosa FC, as well as Prison FC.
He was also a key member of the Arouca based Beatnix Team.
Julien was also a member of Prison Service Football Club from 2017 and copped the 2019 Trinidad and Tobago Super League and the club’s top goal scorer title.
According to the PSFC “he was a player whose presence on the field was dominating and impactful.”
“A humble and disciplined individual, Julien was well loved and admired by all who knew him, including opponents.”
The PSFC said they “condemn the actions of the criminals who continue to deprive the nation of talented and promising young individuals and preventing them from reaching their full potential.”
Julien along with two other men were shot at Thrust Lane in Maloney just after 10pm on Saturday 22nd August.
-
Julien 'a tremendous loss to football'
By Andrew Gioannetti (T&T Newsday)
TWENTY-EIGHT-year-old prominent local footballer Nathan Julien was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Maloney on Saturday night.
Julien had no criminal history and police believe he was not the intended target. Three others were injured in the shooting.
Julien, who was from Maloney, was an outstanding attacker for Prisons FC, finishing leading scorer in the TT Super League's 2019 campaign.
His murder, one of several over the weekend, was described by many as particularly senseless, given his calm demeanour.
Tributes have poured in from his former teammates and friends, all of whom also described him as humble and decent.
He was reportedly playing cards with friends when the shooting occurred.
TT Super League president Keith Look Loy said he was stunned when he received the call late Saturday night, not long after it happened.
"This is a tremendous loss to football because he was a legitimately nice boy," said Look Loy, his boss when he played at FC Santa Rosa before transfering to Prisons.
"He wouldn't hurt a fly. Anyone would get along with him," Look Loy said.
"I want to use this opportunity to appeal to these boys with guns to put them down. This daily loss of life for no reason at all… it's just tragic."
Julien joined Prisons in 2018, where he continued to develop, eventually helping the club to its first Super League title in 2019. He reportedly had a pending application to work at the service but never worked there.
The club issued a statement on Sunday, saying, like everyone else, his murder came as a shock.
"We condemn the action of miscreants and criminals who continue to deprive the nation of talented and promising young individuals.
"Whilst we come to terms with Julien's passing, our deepest and sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends and we pray for added strength and comfort during this extremely difficult time."
The club described him as a player whose presence on the field was dominating, yet he was humble and disciplined.
One of Julien's friends spoke with Newaday and said he couldn't describe the grief in his circle.
"I can vouch to say everything they're saying about him is true. He could have never deserve that. He was a great soul."
He was described as religious and was not known to drink or smoke.