Amateur striker’s World Cup call dream
by KEITH PEEL (pinkun.com)
Amateur footballer Stewart Roach is dreaming of playing alongside Dwight Yorke in the World Cup finals.
The former Manchester United star, now playing in Australia, will spearhead Trinidad & Tobago's attack this summer in Germany, where England are among their Group B opponents.
And Ridgeons League leading scorer Roach believes he would make a potent strike partner.
“I've been e-mailing the Trinidad football authorities since Christmas,” revealed 27-year-old Roach, who is eligible to play for the small Caribbean island because his father, Claudius, was born there.
“I haven't heard back as yet, but I've asked them to come and give me a look and I'm expecting a reply in the next couple of weeks. I feel I'm on top of my form right now. I'm scoring goals all the time and I know I could do a job for them.
“With all due respect, there are players from all over the world getting a chance to prove themselves with the Trinidad team and I would like my chance.”
Former Yarmouth Town, Lowestoft Town and King's Lynn hit-man Roach, now with Leiston, admits it would be a dream come true if he were to get a call from the Soca Warriors.
“That would be magnificent,” he said. “I remember sitting and watching the draw and, when Trinidad came out alongside England, I couldn't believe it. I'm not getting any younger and I would love a chance.”
Roach, a fitness instructor at Caldecott Hall, near Fritton, joined Leiston from Lowestoft this season and has already scored 24 goals.
“I'm really loving it at Leiston,” he said. “I wasn't getting the games at Lowestoft, with a rotation system in operation. Leiston has proved to be a great move, the lads have a good team spirit and Glen Driver is a very good manager.”
Leiston chairman Andy Crisp said: “As far as the club is concerned, Stewart does exactly what it says on the tin. He puts the ball in the net - and he does it well.
“We are delighted to have him at the club and if we can help raise his profile to play at a higher level, then so be it.
“As regards the Trinidad connection, I think he would be capable of a squad place. Imagine it? A Leiston player playing against England in the World Cup finals.
“There are a couple of guys who play Ryman League level who are being considered for the Trinidad team from what I have heard, and that isn't a huge step up to what Stewart is capable of playing.”
Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation special advisor Jack Warner, who correctly predicted the country would draw England in the World Cup group phase, is now tipping the Soca Warriors to beat England in Group B.
Warner has labelled the match between the nations in Nuremberg on June 15 as Trinidad & Tobago's “World Cup final”.
Warner made his boast at a gala dinner attended by Franz Beckenbauer, the president of the World Cup organising committee.
“I told you to keep the faith when we were three matches down with one point (in the CONCACAF qualifying zone). I kept saying we would qualify,” Warner said.
He continued: “I said we would find a good coach - we found one (Leo Beenhakker). I told you we would qualify - we have qualified. I tell you now - we shall beat England!”
Beckenbauer was more diplomatic, saying: “Football is 90 minutes and in 90 minutes, anything is possible.”
Sweden and Paraguay have also been drawn in Group B.
