Messages

91

Football / Re: The President, His Progress and The Politics of T&T Football.

« on: August 09, 2015, 09:21:29 AM »

I dont like Tim Kee and Sancho for ONE REASON, they are politicians.

Flex, you ever thought why Tim Kee refused to do an interview with you in 3 years and now election is around the corner he decided to do the interview for you.

Sheldon is using SWO. I dont see what benefit SWO gets from all this. Watch them.

Sancho on the other hand is a wissel.

RTK refused to admit that he is a politician on i95.5 on Thursday. Andre Baptiste wasn't taking him on and said how can he be the PNM Mayor and PNM Treasurer but not be a politician? Out of frustration, Andre asked Sheldon if HE thought RTK was a politician. I can't remember exactly what Sheldon's reply was, but it didn't support RTK's view!

92

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 09, 2015, 09:18:12 AM »

I want to start up a private recycling factory in Trini. I wonder if it have room on this site for me to siddong and talk sh!t bout ' the gov't have a duty to support recycling' when i submit my budget for water and lights and toxicologists. i wonder if the owners and administrators of this website will be parroting that same BS?

Do you know where the Ministry of Recycling office is... or if you know anything of it's statutory mandate to the public?

The Ministry of Sports was created by Act of Parliament to oversee sports and sports-related activity in TnT.  This includes funding where necessary. Football is a sport and deserves funding the same as other sporting bodies.

This is true. But there are 10,s of thousands of athletes who feel that football should, as you said, be funded "the same as other sporting bodies."  For example, I went to a Special Olympic presentation to celebrate the 48 medals they won in Los Angeles. They feel they should get more. Hell, I feel they should get more. And they raised funding from Digicel and several other sponsors as well as the pittance provided by MoS.

93

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 07, 2015, 02:28:25 PM »

Did WC and CFC have any warm up games before this tournament.

If so, against whom?

VB

There were no Pro League teams to have friendlies with as they have only now begun pre season training. The cost of flying to LA prohibited organising an overseas camp and we couldn't find a decent team in LA to play!

94

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 07, 2015, 02:24:54 PM »

Football Supporter I apologize for being so cruel in my criticism of the team...it was a spirited performance by the players.

I was overly harsh on the #8 because I thought he was a foreign player and based on that belief I held him at a higher standard. Now... I applaud his efforts.

The loss of seven starting players would be a hard blow to the team.

I however had difficulty in trying to figure out the objectives of the Coach on the day...maybe things would be better next game

To be fair, Ross Russell's biggest challenge was knowing his players. He had a week with them after returning from Pan Am. I for one would not have played Jamal Jack in the back four. Elton John should have played there with Jack as a D.M. We were too flat. Maybe a sweeper could have been utilised to stop the ball over the top?

95

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 07, 2015, 11:55:13 AM »

I warned you guys about Brent Sancho and to an extent Kelvin Jack a long time ago.

These two gooses are hungry and will do anything for money.

All of you guys here jumped on me, now I am glad you are seeing for your own eyes.

I know the guy personally, he will sell his ass for fame if he gets a chance and guys pay attention, his sidekick Harrison is enjoying the ride on his lap, this guy was a bum in England, Sancho took him up and now he is in T&T politics trying to suffer our own country footballers and some here can't see this?

I remember, him writing Kamla begging her to go after Jack for their money, they were calling her, crying.

At least Jack Warner gave back a lot more, he fed Sancho and company for many years.

I dare Sancho to come after Jack Warner, like you guys suggesting.

And for all the haters, I can bet my last dollar Jack is not going anywhere, don't believe the hype.

Bum? Boy, you have a real ass fetish, yes.

At least Jack Warner gave back a lot more, he fed Sancho and company for many years. Well Jack starved the poor Haitian earthquake victims. Until Warner can fess up and tell us what he did with the money he stole from the earthquake victims, keep your worthless opinions to yourself.

96

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 07, 2015, 11:43:10 AM »

I wonder if the clubs in Trinidad still prefer to be in pre season for Concacaf vs pre season for CFU. 

I wonder if they prefer to lorse to Waterhouse and Alpha in preseason or actually make it to Concacaf.

You should own a Pro League club bro. Same mindset

I'm fairly certain the pro league if run from March-early December will be in season when CFU qualifiers are going on and during the group stage of the Concacaf CL

CFU is supposed to be February-March

97

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 07, 2015, 07:41:29 AM »

Ho ho ho ho !!!

They sent a jackass to run a horse race.

Central FS is a piss of a team, an embarassment to Trinidad and Tobago Football run by English hoods.

I expect them to lose to Comunicaciones by a bigger margin.

Ross Russell still coaching?

 

The slug returns! You're so out of touch, you racist bitch. There are no English people running Central F.C., dog breath. However, I am an Englishman and I do advise the board (when they listen!)

98

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 07, 2015, 07:39:44 AM »

Banter I don't live in Trinidad so I am not responsible for messing up de youths like yuh say..I am glad that you agree with me that some local coaches are doing that..

I know for a fact that Ross Russel will not win the Pro League this year...and if he continues to coach in this Champions league, he will not win a single game and will lose every match by multiple goals..

It doesn't matter how long he's in charge..he was handed the reigns of the Caribbean Champions ..they looked worse than a fete match side.

The Connection kids would have done much better.

Yes, it is bloody obvious that you're not in T&T! You do understand that this was Central's first competitive game this season? Same as Connection. You do understand that Central were playing a team well into their season and with world class players? You do understand that Steven Gerrards salary is higher than the total money spent on every Pro League club and our entire national team programmes? You do understand that there were no Pro League teams to have friendlies with as they have only now begun pre season training? You do understand that it cost TT$400,000 to travel to LA (that's just flights alone) and CONCACAF only give you TT$240,000? You do understand that Central have lost 7 of their first team squad from last season? You do understand that this was Central's first ever Champions League game? You do understand that Ross Russell not only won the TT Pro League with Defence Force, but is one of our most successful coaches?

By the way, which Spanish man were you referring to? Every Central player is  Trini.

The preparation was extremely poor. Some of it was poor organisation, some of it was lack of resources. From the kick off, Central were second to every ball. It was a harsh lesson, but a fair one. It was not realistic to expect to win this group. Personally, if we win one game I'd be ecstatic. Next year we would come stronger. Losing by four goals is disappointing. The way we played was more so. Now we must regroup and get things right on and off the field and restore pride against Comunicaciones.

99

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 06, 2015, 02:22:24 PM »

Trailer for Galaxy vs Sharks. Nice trailer, but a terrible announcer!!


http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2015/08/05/match-preview-la-galaxy-prepared-%E2%80%9Cunpredictable%E2%80%9D-champions-league-match-central-fc

100

Football / Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread

« on: August 06, 2015, 02:21:20 PM »

Galaxy vs Sharks trailer......where the hell did they find this announcer lol

http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2015/08/05/match-preview-la-galaxy-prepared-%E2%80%9Cunpredictable%E2%80%9D-champions-league-match-central-fc

101

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 06, 2015, 12:38:58 PM »

FROM A TTFA Insider = Name?

Obviously, it's Sheldon. Which is fair enough, as Bakes isn't here to speak for TTFA anymore. It's actually refreshing to hear direct from TTFA. But I am, of course, not in agreement with all of Sheldon's comments. For example, I clearly stated that "it is felt within the Ministry and SPORTT" and  "people who help to orchestrate policy and implementation." If these were the feelings of myself or Sancho, I would have said that. Sheldon knows this is the feeling because when he attends meetings, they tell him these things! Yet he is now trying to say that it is myself and Sancho saying this. (Although some of those areas we may also believe!)

The Ministry has had a shocking history....one that parallels TTFF's! But I don't believe there are any "financial impropriety" at the feet of Minister Sancho?

We have a number of emails that were shared with MOS that show the breakdown of how the CONCACAF money would have been used and as far back as June 29,  True enough. Sadly, we have emails from 25th of June from TTFA saying that CONCACAF only pay for internal flights and TTFA have to pay for travel to and from the host nation!

Sancho (and myself) both said that the match fees were too high if the Ministry was expected to pay them because the Cabinet note and subvention would be exhausted if we continued to pay those kind of fees. So said, so done. Now we had to pull teams out of competitions because money done. We also said that players should be paid more than they do, but that money should be sourced by TTFA. Is it so outrageous to expect an employer to pay wages? What if TTFA decide to pay US$3,000 match fee? Why do staff get match fees? Nobody expects anyone to work for free, even those representing their country, but the more money spent on match fees, the less is available for other national teams. The U23's and the women were the only athletes paid for attending PanAm. Sancho didn't get paid for playing at PanAm neither did players like Sean de Silva, Leston Paul etc. Pay them by all means, but source the funding from other directions.

All of this talk of interference and not wanting to pay was the Ministry trying to ensure that funds were not exhausted with debts outstanding. Any teenager will complain about his parents not giving him enough money and how they made him buy his own trainers when he wanted to go to a fete.

It's laughable that Sheldon describes RTK now as a victim. Who was the last sporting president to meet with Sancho? Who described Sancho as the "worst sport minister ever"? "Who refused to meet the Minister?" Of course, that wasn't aggressive, right?

As for running football, well, it seems no one else is! When does Pro League, Super League and TTFA sit down and plan a way forward? Anil Roberts tried to do it and it never happened. Football takes a huge slice of the MoS funding, which may be ok, but it has to be managed. We have a massive World Cup campaign on the horizon, but what about the other 10 national teams? They have campaigns too. It's a huge task for TTFA to manage, but it is clear that they need additional funding. This can only come from corporate or directly from the public. How can we attract this investment? Who is spearheading a player's association? How will it be funded? Who is developing a promotion/relegation plan for league football? How will that be funded?

Football does not belong to TTFA, it belongs to the people. The people do not vote for TTFA officers, they vote for governments. If they don't like what Sancho does, they can vote him out. They can't vote out RTK or his successor. They can't vote out Sheldon Phillips.
So, why can't the Ministry of Sport, football's biggest investor, have a say in how football is developed? The MoS can't make TTFA, Pro League or Super League do anything they don't want to. But perhaps they can develop a blueprint to a way forward?

102

Football / Re: The Pro League should run from End of March to Early December.

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:45:55 AM »

The experiment in following the European leagues was also to take advantage of transfer windows. The Pro League have been debating the change back for several months now. My only issue is that clubs would need to enter CFU in their pre season. It doesn't matter how good we are in August for Champions League if we don't get past the CFU!

103

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:41:54 AM »

Connection had a very long, arduous journey including a 10 hour bus ride. Also they lost several key players through injury and were forced to play players like Frederick out of position.

The main issue however is that this is their first competitive game of the season while Santos are in mid season. The Pro League are looking at how to change the Pro League season so that our teams are also in season for the Champions League. Problem is that it would mean playing the CFU in pre season. The risk is that our clubs may not even reach the Champions League in that scenario. Its not really fair that we have to play a qualifying tournament while other nations gain straight entry to the Champions League. However we time our league, we are still disadvantaged. 

10 hours?  Was that really unavoidable?

Apparently there were no flights. They also had to travel for 24 hours to reach Mexico City as there are no direct flights from PoS. I can confirm that Central have also had major problems with travel including overnight stops. LA Galaxy, on the other hand, will be chartering a plane to fly direct to PoS!

104

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 05, 2015, 11:38:32 AM »

Just to reply to some of the points made by Deeks & KD. There is no belief that Tim-Kee is corrupt. However it is felt within the Ministry and SPORTT that TTFA receive far too much, do not manage their finances correctly, are very secretive about their finances, arrogantly expect MoS to foot every bill presented and their achievements do not equate to the investment made by MoS on behalf of the taxpayers. These are not all necessarily the view of Sancho, but people who help to orchestrate policy and implementation.

TTFA had complaints about the previous Permanent Secretary, yet within a month of the new P.S. taking office, she had serious concerns. Not being a "football person" she was unaware that TTFA would also receive travel grants from CONCACAF for Gold Cup. This caused serious questions to be asked and that lack of transparency will now haunt any TTFA funding requests.

The scheduling of games is another concern. If TTFA can fund them, then that's great. But if support is expected then MoS should have been consulted in the planning stage. The fiscal year ends in September and new money won't flow until end of October. Also, how can MoS budget for expenses that they don't know about? This is the same prob;em with Match fees and stipends. MoS doesn't negotiate them so why should they pay them? How can one party agree a figure with another party without knowing if the third party can actually pay?

This is where the conflict happens. And RTK can always run to the press and complain and he knows that during an election season this will damage Sancho.

105

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 05, 2015, 09:06:18 AM »

Connection had a very long, arduous journey including a 10 hour bus ride. Also they lost several key players through injury and were forced to play players like Frederick out of position.

The main issue however is that this is their first competitive game of the season while Santos are in mid season. The Pro League are looking at how to change the Pro League season so that our teams are also in season for the Champions League. Problem is that it would mean playing the CFU in pre season. The risk is that our clubs may not even reach the Champions League in that scenario. Its not really fair that we have to play a qualifying tournament while other nations gain straight entry to the Champions League. However we time our league, we are still disadvantaged. 

106

Football / Re: 2015/16 T&T Pro League Fixtures Thread.

« on: August 05, 2015, 08:53:38 AM »

Does the Pro League have an official ball? Just wondering.

No. Home clubs use their match balls.

107

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 05, 2015, 08:43:26 AM »

Brent Sancho is a goat. Never liked the kid, since his days of playing for T&T to now.

He is a total kiss ass and have a vendetta against Tim Kee but his real fight should be Jack Warner.

These guys are afraid of Jack Warner and now have turned all they frustration on Tim Kee.

Monkey really know what tree toi climb.

And yet Sancho speaks highly of you!  And you do realise that it was the players court case that uncovered much of the evidence now being used by FBI?

108

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 05, 2015, 08:41:52 AM »

One cannot see how not giving funds to the TTFA (indirectly) will affect Tim Kee? The worst that can happen is he steps down, but then what? Does Sancho have a suitable replacement? Will he give unlimited funds to the new president? Is his riff with Tim Kee personal?
I always asking these same questions myself.
Also I can't understand for the life of me why so many players have direct phone contact or such easy access to the Minister.

One simple question Thommo...do you have any phone numbers of work mates from 4 or 5 years ago? Or people who worked with you last year, or even last month? For whatever reason footballers tend to look up to Sancho and request his opinion or advice. Also, whatever line of work you are in, if you know the Minister in that sector personally, of course you're going to call him if you have an issue.

Yes I do and I understand they can be friends. However, in this case there is a conflict of interest and by Sancho entertaining and giving advice to players concerning the TTFA who he has a personal and professional dispute with is TOTALLY unethical. In my line of work (accounting) I CANNOT give advice or information to a client about another client no matter what!! It is a breach of professional ethics. In some instances it can be illegal.Yuh from the UK so I'm sure you're quite aware of the Data Protection
Act 1998. Come better than that FS
PS What's your take on the bit I highlighted?

Who said he was giving advice? You asked "I can't understand for the life of me why so many players have direct phone contact or such easy access to the Minister." and I answered you. What they talk about is their business. Data protection has nothing to do with a Minister talking to a footballer. And this ain't the UK. I get your point, but comparisons like that are not accurate. For example, if the UK Minister of Sport was in a bar and Raheem Sterling started chatting to him and the Minister said "Raheem, you should stay at Liverpool, son" is that wrong? Or if he said "Sterling, you need to squeeze another 10 grand a week out of City" is that wrong?

And, no, Sancho does not have a suitable replacement. Now that would be a conflict of interest! In fact we have speculated on who could take RTKs place and we can't think of anyone suitable who would do the job!!

and therein lies the problem. from the onset brent has been trying to show up timkee as a dishonest uncooperative trouble maker who's incapable of making moves of his own and is heavily reliant on government funding and is purposefully trying to milk public funds for his personal use. it is my opinion that sancho never had any intentions of working in tandem with the man or giving things a chance to blossom from the get go. and i believe the reason why he did this is because he wants to line up his mate or himself for the position and has set out to sabotage timkee at every end.

my hope is to see raymond timkee continue on as the federation president and would also be elated to see the PP government removed on september 7th. i don't know if luck would have it in that particular order but it would be a blessing if it did. what i would not want to see is sancho or kelvin jack take over from timkee and then has to contend with a pnm sports minister, and by the looks of it chances are that brent sancho would be looking for a job come september 8th and may throw his hat in the ring to challenge timkee for the job. i for one wouldn't want to relive this foolishness again where the sports minister and the federation president is on opposite sides of the coin. it's time to have a government and a sports minister who is favorable to the federation president because this kind of grumbling and mud slinging between the two entities is getting old, not to mention a huge annoyance and a gnat on ever last football lover's nerve.

It never fails to amaze me how people here look for plots and conspiracies.   

When has Sancho (or anyone else) ever said Tim-Kee "is purposefully trying to milk public funds for his personal use."? I don't believe anybody has accused RTK of being corrupt, so why would you say this? What Sancho has said is that TTFA have not been transparent about monies they have received from FIFA and CONCACAF. The reason for this is that before the Ministry can establish a need, they need to understand their position. TTFA is the only sporting body to receive 100% of it's subvention. In fact, it's received over 100%. And there was the cabinet note as well.

Tim-Kee was the last national sporting body President to meet with Sancho. This wasn't by Sancho's design. So you tell me who "never had any intentions of working in tandem with the man or giving things a chance to blossom from the get go."

"chances are that brent sancho would be looking for a job come september 8th and may throw his hat in the ring to challenge timkee for the job." Are you mad? If Sancho loses, he will have to get a job, just like anybody else. The President of TTFA does nor receive a salary. Why would anybody who has to earn a living want that position? In fact, that is one of the TTFA's problems. In order to do the Presidents job effectively, a decent salary should be offered. RTK has accomplished very little because he has three other jobs.

"it's time to have a government and a sports minister who is favorable to the federation president"  What the hell is wrong with the people of T&T? They vote for governments to improve society, grow the economy, develop infrastructure when what they should do is vote for a party who will work with Raymond Tim-Kee. So thats where Rowley and Kamla are going wrong- they need to announce "doh worry, brothers and sisters, vote fuh meh an ah give Tim-Kee plenty dullahs fuh we fitbal"

109

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 04, 2015, 03:24:31 PM »

One cannot see how not giving funds to the TTFA (indirectly) will affect Tim Kee? The worst that can happen is he steps down, but then what? Does Sancho have a suitable replacement? Will he give unlimited funds to the new president? Is his riff with Tim Kee personal?
I always asking these same questions myself.
Also I can't understand for the life of me why so many players have direct phone contact or such easy access to the Minister.

One simple question Thommo...do you have any phone numbers of work mates from 4 or 5 years ago? Or people who worked with you last year, or even last month? For whatever reason footballers tend to look up to Sancho and request his opinion or advice. Also, whatever line of work you are in, if you know the Minister in that sector personally, of course you're going to call him if you have an issue.

Yes I do and I understand they can be friends. However, in this case there is a conflict of interest and by Sancho entertaining and giving advice to players concerning the TTFA who he has a personal and professional dispute with is TOTALLY unethical. In my line of work (accounting) I CANNOT give advice or information to a client about another client no matter what!! It is a breach of professional ethics. In some instances it can be illegal.Yuh from the UK so I'm sure you're quite aware of the Data Protection
Act 1998. Come better than that FS
PS What's your take on the bit I highlighted?

Who said he was giving advice? You asked "I can't understand for the life of me why so many players have direct phone contact or such easy access to the Minister." and I answered you. What they talk about is their business. Data protection has nothing to do with a Minister talking to a footballer. And this ain't the UK. I get your point, but comparisons like that are not accurate. For example, if the UK Minister of Sport was in a bar and Raheem Sterling started chatting to him and the Minister said "Raheem, you should stay at Liverpool, son" is that wrong? Or if he said "Sterling, you need to squeeze another 10 grand a week out of City" is that wrong?

And, no, Sancho does not have a suitable replacement. Now that would be a conflict of interest! In fact we have speculated on who could take RTKs place and we can't think of anyone suitable who would do the job!!

110

Football / Re: The Sharks: Central FC Thread

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:46:29 PM »

Nicholas dillon  and goddard ?? where are they ?

Dillon is still with Central. Goddard is in Mexico with W.Connection.

111

Football / Re: Sancho vs Tim Kee the Thread.

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:43:51 PM »

I am trying to understand something.

Some main factors that Sancho pointed out.

The government contributed 95 per cent to the TTFA?? That is incredible, so a measly 5% the TTFA cant cough up?

So the TTFA spend T&T's participation in the Gold Cup money on something else and billing the MOS for the same thing they said they spend it on? Didn't Tim Kee said they used some on PanAm team but then the TTOC paid for the PanAm team? And everyone know the prize money Sancho, its only 125,000.00 USD, its on the CONCACAF website, not need for a official document, maybe on how its going to be spent.

What I dont understand is why can't the TTFA just open their books? Why do they need to wait for a SPECIAL auditing company, are there only one auditing company in T&T?

All this to me is very suspicious and the way things are going, it will only get worst for the TTFA if they not clean. I am also surprised that Sheldon Phillips came here with the same Trini mentality, secrets and lies?

Cause if they dod not want to open their books, then something must be wrong?

And Sancho is saying two things, one minute he wants the accounts from 2008 - 2012 but apparently, he does not want it anymore and just want the TTFA to account for the gold cup money?

The TTFA using the money they team earned for their personal gain and then billing the government for the same thing they said they used the money on.

Double standard.

Sancho definitely have an agenda and Tim Kee seems like he not telling 100% the truth.

To recipe for diaster.

I don't think Sancho (or anyone) believes that  Tim -Kee is thieving money. But it is evident that he doesn't want to share information about money. What they may not want to do is explain exactly what they are spending money on.
For example, if a village cricket club submits a proposal for a village windball competition they would list all of the expenses, then the expected income and request support for the balance.
But TTFA budgets for Gold Cup have shown no income, but still listed expenditure such as flights, laundry, excess baggage, visa costs, insurance.

As you have pointed out, the prize money for Gold Cup is on the CONCACAF website, so it's no secret. Perhaps previous Ministers didn't check? Certainly, the Permanent Secretary didn't know. But the point is, why not declare it? TTFA say they earmarked the money for other uses. With respect, that ain't their decision. Taxpayers are funding the Gold Cup campaign not other projects. Now if you want help with the U17's or U20's, fine. Ask. You may not get funded, but then, maybe you will. Either way, taxpayers money was spent when there was already income in place.

112

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:25:58 PM »

Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.
By Inshan Mohammed.

Gabby's Government Boots ringing bells.

When The Mighty Gabby from Barbados sang his 80’s calypso super hit "Government Boots," he was certainly not referring to anything related to T&T, but rather his frustration with the then Barbadian Prime Minister Tom Adams for wasting tax payers' money.

Now, when you sit back and look at the current state of Trinidad and Tobago, the future appears bleak for its youth through sports and many Trinbagonians can’t help but to echo Gabby’s frustration.

Protecting and educating the youth will pave a bright future for T&T. Sports is also a way out for underprivileged young people to ease the pressures of life and secure a brighter future. It appears though that our government may see things differently.

Here is a bit of football trivia- He was known as a hard nosed defender who rarely gave up on tackles, he fought for players off the field, led many strikes against his former employers for better treatment, and even spearheaded the 2006 Soca Warriors into court battle against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. He was also the only T&T player to have scored a goal at the FIFA World Cup.

If you haven't guessed by now who is being referenced here, well, his name is Brent Sancho, a soft spoken and congenial gentleman who has been in the game for most of his life. He practically tailored his life and built his career around football.

Today, Sancho has cut all ties with football and became a full-time politician and is perfecting his new position gracefully. The former dreadlocked defender, who founded current Pro League Champions Central FC in 2012, has also cut ties with the Club. In fact, rumor has it that the club is on the verge of a major restructure due of negligence. With both Sancho and his current adviser Kevin Harrison playing more active roles in the T&T government, it has left the club in disarray and board members fuming.

Daren Mohamdally is one of the main directors at the Club and is also the operations manager at Super Industrial Services Limited (SIS) is actively running things at Central FC. Former T&T player Anthony Rougier is said to have taken up the void left by managing director Harrison, who played a very big part of Central FC's success in its 3 year existence.

Sancho seems to have found favor with the current TT government and replaced Dr. Rupert Griffith as Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. Recently, Sancho again was on Rupert's trail when he was given the nod by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to run for the Toco/Sangre Grande hot seat.

Lately, Sancho again has been in the spotlight, but this time he is in fierce battle with the TTFA head Raymond Tim Kee over funding for local football.

Sancho is stressing to the football heads that he wants more transparency and has given them an ultimatum to open their books or face total isolation.

The TTFA in return made it clear that they had no problem doing so and after a couple meetings with auditing company KPMG they had sent documents from 2008-2011 to the Sport Minister and was awaiting further word from Sancho who insisted he had not received the documents.

Sancho also made it clear that: "We have asked and received information about CONCACAF monies for their (T&T's) participation in the Gold Cup but up to this minute we still have not gotten any official documentation other than what we were told CONCACAF gave them (TTFA)."

"They (TTFA) have said to us they have paid certain bills with this money but lo and behold the Ministry is left with the bill in our hand and we have had to cover again all they have said they had paid. So clearly they have not been transparent and honest in what they have said they have distributed,” Sancho concluded" in a T&T Express report from Mark Pouchet.

Brent Sancho then responded to claims of “systematically bullying” the TTFA . The Sports Minister told Sean Taylor of the T&T Express that he has consistently requested to see the TTFA accounts, a stipulation placed in the cabinet notes. “I believe I have a duty to have these conditions met,” he said.

“This is the only governing body that we have any problems with. It is abundantly clear that this organisation is playing politics with sport. During the Jamaica impasse, the government went as far as to fund $9.5 million to ensure staff were paid. The question is, when will it end? It has to stop.” he emphasised.

According to him, the Ministry has had enough and will not entertain any further funding unless the TTFA can be more transparent, and account for previous funds. “They will not be funded,” Sancho said. “Unless they can account for where our funds will go,” he ended.

Fresh from the Pan American competition and another successful Gold Cup campaign, both T&T men and women team are left scratching their heads thinking what's next for them and with this latest stance by the Ministry things could get even worse.

Which supposed matches rumored to happen next month with games against; Mexico (September 4th [confirmed]), Bolivia (September 8th), Panama (October 8th [confirmed]) and a play-off match against Haiti in (October?) for a Copa America Centenario spot. It would be interesting to see the support the team gets. If the rumor is true then the TTFA must be credited for these matches and outsiders must take note and go out and support the T&T team.

It has also been revealed by an inside source that: "I would say, money well spent and it all goes back into the teams, these games are not cheap." As for Sancho, he has gotten the ear of some off the T&T's women team members and is using them as a political tool to help show up their employers and they are not aware of the damage it is causing. To date, according to a TTFA representative, the TTFA has spent close to $180,000 USD on Women’s football development over the past year, a sum of over one million TT dollars."

"Even Soca Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones was in the press lately calling for unity between TTFA and Sport Minister. And Kenwyne is right, “who are really the winners and losers here?”

A former TTFA Insider wanted to know:

1. Is Minister Sancho misleading the public about the amount of money that was spent in the cabinet note when he first raised the issue that he later recanted?

2. Is Sancho’s claim that the FA didn’t submit budgets true when they clearly did and when he was given a record that supported their position he didn’t have the decency to admit to the error?

3. Why does Sancho continue to say through his spokesman that they never received accounts information when I was given proof showing that documents were sent directly to him and his Permanent Secretary.

4. Why did Sancho demand that the FA pay a $100,000 travel bill the ministry had to pay and they have an affidavit from a former SPORTT board member supporting their claim?

5. Why did Sancho push for the TTFA paying for 50% of match fees when the cabinet note already accounted for full payment of player match fees?

6. Why did he try to establish that the FA pay 50% of gate receipts to player fees (do you remember that?). When they had explained that would leave the players in worse shape he relented?

7. Why did he spend over $1.7 million on a farce of a women’s league (WPL) and claim the league would have prepared the senior team for the Pan-Am games?

Here’s why it didn’t work:

a. Some of the 40 foreign players brought in were of questionable quality yet they were housed and fed at the expense of our national teams.

b. WPL teams took precedence over national teams for practice fields. It was usual for our national teams to have to give up fields for training to WPL teams.

c. Players spent more time going to clubs, beaches, and basically having a vacation on tax dollars while national teams suffer.

d. The established league that had been serving the women’s game (WoLF) was damaged instead of helped. Asked yourself, what now for WoLF? How did the WPL helped?
 
e. In the end the Senior Women’s team failed to advance in their Pan-Am outing because the WPL was used instead of a traditional camp setting of 4-6 weeks.

In comparison, the Senior Men had a traditional camp and trained together for 6 weeks prior to the Gold Cup under the TTFA program, which one worked?

8. Lastly, the money football gets from the ministry is NOT A HANDOUT or A FAVOR. It is an investment of public funds designed to prepare and enable our national teams to represent the country. It is not Brent Sancho’s money and furthermore, Brent Sancho does not have the right to come in and add additional terms to funds allocated to national teams.

The source also revealed: "He does so because he has a personal slant against the FA that disables him from carrying out his duties objectively and with the mindset that the players and coaches will feel the hurt more."

"The TTFA spent $10 million of its own funds to help pay-off the 2006 Warriors."

"As a former national footballer who went through the same tribulations that he is putting the current crop through and his cynical method of becoming a hero and saving people from problems he actually created shows a level of self importance that should concern anyone who is a fan of football."

"Look at the situation with Central FC and the bonus issue. Just like Jack Warner he denied the players a promise, but in return felt better to just say that Raymond Tim Kee is a reincarnation of Jack and cause of all his negativity to be focused on the TTFA and away from the real problems."

"Sancho is an active litigant against the TTFA and the incidents that are playing them in front of the public should be no surprise once people understand that Sancho has every motive to not work with the TTFA."

"Why make the players, coaches and fans suffer? No one is saying that the Ministry should blindly give money to the TTFA, why not pay some of the burden directly to the source then?

"Even government agencies such as the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) are fighting against the FA, last year the chairman (Winston Siriram) said no money will be given to national teams because its a “PNM” TTFA, added the source."

Raymond Tim Kee is here already and will be until next election no matter the outcome of this battle and minister Brent Sancho will be here until next election no matter what’s the outcome?

One cannot see how not giving funds to the TTFA (indirectly) will affect Tim Kee? The worst that can happen is he steps down, but then what? Does Sancho have a suitable replacement? Will he give unlimited funds to the new president? Is his riff with Tim Kee personal? What caused this?

As for the new constitution, a president can only serve two terms and the TTFA election is suppose to be in November. And the voting panel has opened up where many others can vote unlike before where it was set up so that the ruling party was assured victory.

Why can't these two gentlemen take the battle to the voting polls and lets just get behind our national teams. November is only a few months away.

When our players take the field in T&T’s next match it is the name of our beloved country that is uttered by commentators, not Raymond Tim Kee or Brent Sancho.

SWO is therefor pleading with the Sport Minister as well as the TTFA to put aside any possible hidden agendas or personal grudges and please find some common ground. You both have been down that road before and should know how it negatively affects our players. They do not deserve this.

There are about 4 weeks until general elections and it would be relieving to see Mr. Sancho do the right thing for a change and lead the politics away from our football. At least if he loses his post in the next election, he will be remembered for his positive contributions to the sport we hope he still loves.

Nice article Flex, but I don't think it needed the "former TTFA Insider" viewpoint unless you balanced it with an MoS insider! Maybe one who would ask a question like this: If Tim-Kee publicly stated some months back that Sheldon Phillips will no longer deal with Ministry of Sport issues, and William Wallace is overseas, and you have a financial crisis, and Tim-Kee, being the only person able to discuss funding with the Ministry refuses to meet the Minister and also then walks out on the Permanent Secretary, how are such issues supposed to be resolved?

113

Football / Re: Minister Sancho continues to give T&T football the government boot.

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:21:15 PM »

One cannot see how not giving funds to the TTFA (indirectly) will affect Tim Kee? The worst that can happen is he steps down, but then what? Does Sancho have a suitable replacement? Will he give unlimited funds to the new president? Is his riff with Tim Kee personal?
I always asking these same questions myself.
Also I can't understand for the life of me why so many players have direct phone contact or such easy access to the Minister.

One simple question Thommo...do you have any phone numbers of work mates from 4 or 5 years ago? Or people who worked with you last year, or even last month? For whatever reason footballers tend to look up to Sancho and request his opinion or advice. Also, whatever line of work you are in, if you know the Minister in that sector personally, of course you're going to call him if you have an issue.

114

Football / Re: TTFA President Raymond Tim Kee demands respect, not politics.

« on: August 04, 2015, 05:47:26 AM »

Well said Tim Kee.

Sancho playing man for fool, he want to meet for what? and then he still not helping out?

He want to meet just to let de public know he want to meet?

De books in KPMG hands, is not like de TTFA hiding it?

Sancho is a dam backside and a half.

That is why Stern John did vex with him to for trying to squeeze money from him now he trying to make up and give Stern John a bling bilge to make him feel good.

De Men team did so well and now they not getting nothing and no government support while de CPL and de WPL getting all de support and none is Trinidad and Tobago official teams.

Sancho kissing de foreigners ass but ignoring the locals.

He saying he want to help but then he turning around and back stabbing de federation to try and make them look bad in public.

Sancho need to open he books at Central FC and give de players what he promise them.

No wonder Terry Fenwick call him ah imps.

Sam, you amaze me sometimes! Are you really so gullible? Look at this one sentence: The governing body of football in Trinidad and Tobago is expected to show leadership and vision in establishing a plan to advance the prospects of our national team programs, especially as our senior men’s team has emerged from an encouraging Gold Cup performance and is about to embark upon the Road To Russia 2018 World Cup campaign.

Can you not see the hypocrisy in that statement? Explain exactly what leadership and planning Tim-Kee put into place? What sponsors are on board? Their biggest expense is match fees, so how can they reduce those? Who will foot the bill for warm up games? How much do they receive from FIFA for playing in the World Cup qualifiers?

RTK: "Right Sheldon, here's the plan: We have a cabinet note sitting there so we don't need to raise a single dollar for Gold Cup, plus that sucker Sancho will pay all of our flights while we keep all of the Gold Cup travel allowance and prize money. Offer the players whatever you want in match fees, coz Sancho won't let his pals go without. Plus, it's election year so I'll just keep running to the papers so he'll have to back down. What's that, Sheldon? Sponsors? Nah boy, doh waste yuh time on dat. Sheldon, why are you wasting time on planning for 2018? Just send the bills to the Ministry. It will be our guys in power by then so we'll get everything we want and we can keep the FIFA money to pay for a new website."

115

Football / Re: TTFA President Raymond Tim Kee demands respect, not politics.

« on: August 04, 2015, 05:38:10 AM »

I had said all along that if Jack had given these guys at least 100 thousand each, it may have had some grumbling, but they would have had something substantial along with the 1 million Manning gave them. It may not have had this long protracted impasse, which set back our football immensely. The impasse has pushed people away from football. It appears  that we have lost what ever little of the football culture of the past that I have known.

F---k you Jack.

Deeks, I know for a fact that if Jack told them they had a TT$50k bonus, they would have grumbled a little, but once they knew they were getting a bonus from the Govt, they would have been ok. They had no idea how much sponsorship came in, but they did know that they were treated well in the preparation. It was because of their feelings of sheer disrespect by Jack that they pursued the bonus case. Remember, it was the information I requested you guys on the forum to supply that finally told the true story about income. Up to then, they had no idea.
But I remember clearly the first time I met with Ian Cox, Sancho and Kelvin Jack and they told me they had been offered less than TT$5,000 each. Of course, I had no idea how much that was in sterling so I looked at them dumbly and said "Ok, is that a lot?' When they said less than 500 pounds for playing in a world cup, I was gobsmacked!!

116

Football / Re: 2015/16 Concacaf Champions League Thread.

« on: August 03, 2015, 07:01:44 AM »

After all the hype and attention Central FC commanded in winning the Pro League, one can't help but get the sense that they have allowed the momentum to seem lost and wasted and one wonders if they are throwing away a special opportunity. How many players kept their contract? Any more player bonus crises unresolved?
How many serious matches played over the past weeks and months? How match fit are the players? Is Jan recovered? Everybody has their visas? (sorry ah fuhget is not Uncle Tim in charge)

The Central F.C. board has implemented several changes within the staff including replacing Amiel Mohammed (who has handled marketing and social media communications since the club was formed) with Derek Khan. He can be reached at dk.centralfc@gmail.com

117

Football / Re: Spoke To Dennis Lawrence Yesterday

« on: July 30, 2015, 06:22:46 AM »

Dennis is my boy, but his interview worries me.

“Lawrence believes the opportunities are still there, however.” 

“If they are good enough there is no reason why you can’t be successful in gaining entry into the English situation,” he said.

“Sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves and we need to ask ourselves if we are doing the right things and are we good enough to get there.

“There has been a very big decline and there must be a reason for it.

“So we need to dig deep and find the reasons why players are not coming out from T&T and going onto the UK anymore.

“I don’t think the talent has disappeared. Obviously the mentality probably has changed.

“The focus has to remain on doing well for T&T. If you do well for T&T, this gives you the opportunity to be recognised, not just in the UK but in other parts of the world.


All of these comments show a lack of understanding of the work permit scenario in the UK. We may actually have more talent than in 2006, but now we can't get our rough diamonds into big leagues to get polished. Remember, Kenwyne was a defensive midfielder until he went to the UK. How good could some of our players become if they were training and playing in the Championship & SPL?

118

Football / Re: Is the HCS stadium ready for WCQ's ? Football Supporter/Min of Sport?

« on: July 30, 2015, 06:16:37 AM »

What about TT Sweden in 2006. The streets were literally empty for the game.

The 06 Wc undoubtedly had vastly more viewers. Possibly the England game would have been the biggest global audience for a T&T game? But I said  a football match in T&T.

T&T played England in Port of Spain.

T&T vs USA in November 1989 was prbably the biggest.

Every country was looking at this game, de whole Caribbean and world was backing T&T.

I thought the England game was at Dwight Yorke? Back in 1989, I'm not sure that this game would have been live around the world. And streaming wasn't available to the general public. No doubt it was a massive game and I'm sure the highlights were widely shown globally on sport programmes.

119

Football / Re: Is the HCS stadium ready for WCQ's ? Football Supporter/Min of Sport?

« on: July 29, 2015, 02:14:36 PM »

FS, if PNM win the elections, will the Employees of Sportt immediately vacate office on the 8th ? Or is their some sort of transition?

LOL. I guess we just pack up our gonks and ride out of town!!

120

Football / Re: Is the HCS stadium ready for WCQ's ? Football Supporter/Min of Sport?

« on: July 29, 2015, 01:42:43 PM »

What about TT Sweden in 2006. The streets were literally empty for the game.

The 06 Wc undoubtedly had vastly more viewers. Possibly the England game would have been the biggest global audience for a T&T game? But I said  a football match in T&T.