TOUCHING BASE WITH KEVIN NELSON
By: Shaun Fuentes
Tobago-born forward Kevin Nelson is currently back in Trinidad, joining W Connection and is now a professional player in the T&T Pro League. The former National Youth player is also hoping for a break on to the National Senior Team. Nelson has been attached to San Juan Jabloteh, Doc's Khelwalaas, South Melbourne FC in Australia and Caracas FC as well as Ottawa Wizards in Canada. He also enjoyed success at the schoolboy level, winning the 1996 Intercol with Signal Hill SC.
He tells us about his experience in Australia, a stint with Sydney FC even before Dwight Yorke arrived at the club and his ambitions for the future.
So you had some playing time in Australia. You would have been the next T&T player there other than the big man Dwight Yorke. Recap the experience!
First Sydney FC invited me there because they were looking for a striker, this was even before the signing of Dwight. Then when they realized they were going to get Dwight . Coach Pierre Litbarski told me that was the case so I decided to leave.
Then I was invited by Adelaide United to replace an injured striker on a a short-term contract on the recommendation of Ian Crooky the assistant coach of Sydney and Agent Lou Sticca who initially started the whole process in getting me to Australia via DVD footage. I stayed at the club for four months awaiting a working visa but the Federation wouldn’t allow a shot-term working visa. So then the agent and under another recommendation from ‘Crooky’ I got a contract with South Melbourne in the First division on a long term working visa.
My experience in Australia will hold life long memories. I had the opportunity to train under coach Pierre Littbarski, former German World Cup winner and a respectable coach. Also assistant coach Ian Crooke who played his career in England, and they were able to speak highly of me. I also trained under Adelaide United coach John Kosmania, former Australian International and Arsenal player. Its was also a blessing to live
and work in such a beautiful country such as Australia, where the people are so friendly ,warm, laidback and welcoming. I say thanks to
God.
In the First division, I helped South Melbourne to the Preseason Cup finals scoring 8 goals in 8 games. Also in my debut in the First Div League I
scored the winner in a 1-0 win.. And I also scored goals during the season, a total of 16. I had the chance to play with New Zealand
International Striker and all time leading goal scorer Vaughn Coverney and Brazilian maestro Fernando Demoriez. I learnt a lot playing with these players.
So your ambitions now must have a high standard to it?
My ambitions is to one day secure a contract in Europe, Asia , Middle East, or South America. I also want to represent Trinidad and Tobago again. A call up for the Gold Cup will be ideal I have played for Trinidad and Tobago youth teams at every level before.
You are now at W Connection. Tell us about that.
I just signed for W Connection and I’m looking forward in helping them win titles and take the club to another level. I want to thank them for signing me and the players for being so welcoming.
So playing for T&T again is very much one of your aims?
I am still very much interested in representing the country. I have had that burning desire in me as a kid to play for the country. I visualize myself playing with the national team and I know one day my dreams will come true.
So while in Australia, Dwight would have known you were around?
Yes he was very much aware I was there. We chatted ever so often. Sydney also tried to sign me on a short-term contract to replace the injured David Drillich at the time Dwight was there. But the short term got the red tape. He encouraged me to keep working hard at my game and sad that eventually it would pay off. (May 2, 2007)
