Kevin Harrison give us his views & attitudes on FPATT.

[oconnorg]

Good article Flexos..

Interesting that this Alison Ayres fellah heavily involved.

Hey oconnorg, that Alison Ayres fellah that Kevin mentioned in the interview wasn't he the guy who wanted to charge you guys for taking pictures of Latapy boots last year.. !!

Life is so funny... 

Yup thats the guy him self..  See this thread you all

http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=16869.msg164815#msg164815

Should explain everything.

Wow! Just hope hes as tough negotiating with sponsors!  That said, I think FPATT and this site will have amore convivial relationship in the future. As far as I'm concerned, you guys are the real support behind the warriors, and the only people who get the big picture and really care about what happens. As compensation, I am willing to let you take pictures of my shoes, anytime free of charge lol.

  Thanks dude.. 

Good stuff!! And as usual excellent interview from our boy Flex!! 



Btw I managed to get the other Kelvin to sign my Soca Warriors jersery which I purshased at the Charity fundrasier event in Hackney, London.

Wonder how much this Kevin from the FPATT will charge me to put his signature as well as he seems to be a Soca Warrior too!!!!

Socapro, you can have my signature for free, but it will only devalue the shirt! As for Mr Ayres, well maybe the guy put on the display last year as a business venture. Can't see a problem with that. I do think it wasn't a particularly good business move to charge people for photographs, but thats his decision.
I will say, in his defence, that he hasn't made a penny out of his involvement with FPATT, in fact I know that it has cost him some dollars, and I don't get the impression that hes a rich man. My only knowledge of Alison is my dealings with him over the last few months, so I have no knowledge of past events, although I am aware he was involved in marketing with Joe Public. I also know he has a working relationship with some of the Warriors, who seem to trust and respect him.

There have been a coupleof posts concerning things that have happened in the past, particularly with Dexter Skeene and the ProLeague. I haven't heard him or Alison Ayres criticise socawarriors.net. I know you cannot erase past events, and I understand you guys being wary of some people, but this is hopefully a turning point in T&T football, so maybe we should all start again with a clean sheet?

At least this way we can all find out where we stand pretty quickly.

(I bet I get a backlash for this post!)

Backlash?.. Nah man.. as i said before. only time will tell.. Everything moving positive thus far.. So we will see..

But as you said, nothing wrong wid being a lil cautious..

P.S. Skeene and the likes wont or cant bash us cause not everyone here agrees on everything thing.. They cant bash the site that will be foolish, they will hve to bash a particular member or members.. ALSO these guys PRETEND not to know this site and whats it about sometimes. Full ah crap if you ask me...

[weary1969]

As Rodney King say why can't we all get alonggggggggggg. Let us all remember who is the common enemy Jack, Scamps, Groden etal. So ProLeague, FPATT, socawarriors.net and WN need to unite against the common enemy.

[oconnorg]

As Rodney King say why can't we all get alonggggggggggg. Let us all remember who is the common enemy Jack, Scamps, Groden etal. So ProLeague, FPATT, socawarriors.net and WN need to unite against the common enemy.

"Peace on heaven, peace on earth, dig yuh batty and get dirt." 

weary.. Not every one on here thinks that Jack is a scamp eh.. doh forget..

[kentsoulman]

As Rodney King say why can't we all get alonggggggggggg. Let us all remember who is the common enemy Jack, Scamps, Groden etal. So ProLeague, FPATT, socawarriors.net and WN need to unite against the common enemy.

United we stand. (But we'll keep watching, just in case!)

[dreamer]

.......... Let us all remember who is the common enemy Jack, Scamps, Groden etal. So ProLeague, FPATT, socawarriors.net and WN need to unite against the common enemy.

Weary, you eh reaLIZE!! de potency of da statement! Please make all yuh peeps see the big picture nah.
Warrior nation needs to prove that FPATT is their priority or else de whole agenda is a joke and history won't forget. dcs is supposed to be in "leadership", so ah want to see de leadership on this    , not jess posts that critique and stymie other contributions.

......Does anybody have a problem with FPATT?    Hello?

[oconnorg]

.......... Let us all remember who is the common enemy Jack, Scamps, Groden etal. So ProLeague, FPATT, socawarriors.net and WN need to unite against the common enemy.

Weary, you eh reaLIZE!! de potency of da statement! Please make all yuh peeps see the big picture nah.
Warrior nation needs to prove that FPATT is their priority or else de whole agenda is a joke and history won't forget. dcs is supposed to be in "leadership", so ah want to see de leadership on this    , not jess posts that critique and stymie other contributions.

......Does anybody have a problem with FPATT?    Hello?

Dreamer, you coming a lil harshly dere breds..

But dont get me wrong I understand what you sayig in principle..

[dreamer]

O'connor, doh fret breds. I already apologize to dcs for using certain language and I mean that. However, I am trying to stress that we all have to step up to the lyrics plate and give visionary opinions or jess some opinion and motivate people especially if yuh want the responsibility of leadership. I say again is not about juzzies, small goal, play station and Xbox. People are expecting BIG things from this site and the level of discourse has really improved. I am not letting people who are in leadership to be off de hook and stay on de fence covenienty. I am making these points no matter how unpopular I become because I am not here to make friend, although I do enjoy getting laughs with you all    and I am grateful for what Tallman, Flex, palos etc have done.....seriously. Dis is time-comsumin' serious business and I eh playin' wit my warriors because plenty is at stake dread.

Good to see you back O'c as you had seeerious energy b4. Sorry fuh calling you and troy piloy yout'man a year ago in de Hasely    Remember?

[oconnorg]

O'connor, doh fret breds. I already apologize to dcs for using certain language and I mean that. However, I am trying to stress that we all have to step up to the lyrics plate and give visionary opinions or jess some opinion and motivate people especially if yuh want the responsibility of leadership. I say again is not about juzzies, small goal, play station and Xbox. People are expecting BIG things from this site and the level of discourse has really improved. I am not letting people who are in leadership to be off de hook and stay on de fence covenienty. I am making these points no matter how unpopular I become because I am not here to make friend, although I do enjoy getting laughs with you all    and I am grateful for what Tallman, Flex, palos etc have done.....seriously. Dis is time-comsumin' serious business and I eh playin' wit my warriors because plenty is at stake dread.

Good to see you back O'c as you had seeerious energy b4. Sorry fuh calling you and troy piloy yout'man a year ago in de Hasely    Remember?

Yea. Ah remember lol.. Big men you watch and call lickle bwoy..!! 

It have some things  here i wanna discuss more but I guh PM.

[weary1969]

It will always have house negroes dem would report all the plan revolt. So dem is the fellas who does supportJack.

All the peeps who eh join the WN you not helpin the cause pay all yuh 25 US and gives us a stronger voice.

[Socapro]

All the peeps who eh join the WN you not helpin the cause pay all yuh 25 US and gives us a stronger voice.

Yuh making some serious point dey Weary!!

[AB.Trini]

Who is Kevin Harrison?

http://www.dnastudio.freeserve.co.uk/Kevin_Harrison_clips/


 

Ok it's just one Kevin Harrison not the...Kevin

[dcs]

FPATT has stated they are not here to be "against" the TTFF.
There is a reason why they have made that choice.  Neither FPATT nor Warrior Nation about politics.  It is about football and making progress more efficiently than before.

FPATT exists because TTFF cannot see after the players in an efficient manner with all the conflicts of interest that exist from being their employers most of the time.  So another independent body was an inevitable next step and if anything is a progressive step for football.

It is the same with the Warrior Nation.  The TTFF cannot and have not been able to efficiently look after the fans.  So the fans themselves form their own independent organization to represent themselves on the football landscape. 

There will be conflict but that is not a bad thing and is expected...it is a matter of how the conflict is dealt with.  The last thing you want is to stoop down to the level which you are trying to rise above.  If you want things to progress u have to show the way to do things and gain respect.

Now...on to the topic of seeing to non-trivial activities (a misguided view btw)
If there is a perception there is not activity in this area who exactly is dropping the ball?  It is a volunteer organization and things get done when people take initiative.
I want x,y & z done and I will try to help by doing a,b & c.  Warrior Nation members are less like customers and more like partners.

[dreamer]

Appreciate the comments dcs. Don't stop there.

[Sando]

Good article Flexos..

Interesting that this Alison Ayres fellah heavily involved.

Hey oconnorg, that Alison Ayres fellah that Kevin mentioned in the interview wasn't he the guy who wanted to charge you guys for taking pictures of Latapy boots last year.. !!

Life is so funny... 

Yup thats the guy him self..  See this thread you all

http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=16869.msg164815#msg164815

Should explain everything.

Alison Ayres is a DUMMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam]

SocaCrapo hug-up Kelvin Jack like tha's he man.................

[dreamer]

FPATT is key. Ignore Jackula's tantrums. Jess focus on building opportunities, awareness & protection.
There probably needs to be a 20-years-ahead football plan after Jackula take een and croak with "valve", as Sprangalang would say.

[Bakes]

Good interview Flex...and good stuff too FPATT.

[kentsoulman]

I should imagine things are becoming tricky at FPATT towers at the moment. Warner attacking the players and making slanderous and defamitory remarks means FPATT has to be careful. FPATT say the blacklist is not their issue, but they must also defend footballers from this kind of abuse. Warners statements are not fit to come from a concacaf president, which is the capacity he gave the interviews as. He is supposed to be unbiased.   If he wanted to comment on the situation, he should have spoke as special adviser to TTFF.

[weary1969]

Jack so delusional he eh know what hat he wearing whether FIFA, UNC, Maureen husband he sounding more and more as the tye toung tief that he is

[WestCoast]

Warners statements are not fit to come from a concacaf president, which is the capacity he gave the interviews as. He is supposed to be unbiased.

Warner can do what he bloody well wants and Sepp Blatter or anyone else in FIFA are NOT ABLE to do anything about it.
NOTHING
Warner says
"Fire Urs and MacBeth"
and Blatter like the good FIFA President that he is, Fires them.

tread lightly FPATT.

Jack so delusional he eh know what hat he wearing whether FIFA, UNC, Maureen husband he sounding more and more as the Tye Toung Tief that he is

what ya saying is that he is the new TTT

[dreamer]

Touching base with Kevin Harrison.
By: Flex Mohammed.[/size]

The man behind the wheel of "FPATT" Mr. Kevin Harrison who works for PFA financial management as a financial adviser and have been helping the T&T players kick-off the Football Players Association of Trinidad & Tobago (FPATT). He also serves as special adviser to FPATT and recently spoke with the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) about his views, gave us some history and also touched based on other important issues.

1. Kevin, welcome, give us a brief on the background of FPATT.
I'd like to firstly cover the background to the formation of FPATT and the motivations behind it. Brent, Kelvin, Shaka, and, I believe, Stern had believed for some time that players in Trinidad and the International players needed a union to protect their rights. As you will observe, these players all play abroad. This is no coincidence. After meeting local players in Trinidad & Tobago last week, I realised they had little knowledge of playing conditions abroad. Often, one cannot see beyond one's own horizon, even if you know there is more across the oceans. Only when players see for themselves the protection, support and power obtainable, do they realise what they have been without. There is no doubt in my mind that the Warriors foresaw the kind of dispute that they are now embroiled in. After a similar incident a few years ago, FPATT was conceived, yet didn't get beyond the first few steps. It is incredibly complex to form a legal constitution, find personnel and experts to work for nothing, address fundraising issues and tackle the myriad tasks surrounding the formation of a trade union. Especially when you live thousands of miles away and have your own career to focus on.

2. What really transpired between the players and the TTFF concerning the promised bonus.
The current impasse occurred mainly due to a lack of written contracts. When Mr Warner agreed to pay the players a bonus of 30% of net revenue, obviously the players were pleased. They knew there was a multi million pound Adidas deal. They knew there was a significant e-bay deal, they knew there were TV-rights to the warm up games. They imagined a gross income of at least £12,000,000. Even after expenses, there would be a large bonus. Then Mr Warner increased the players pool to 50%. Imagine, then, their feelings when they were each offered £485!
When they asked for accounts to show where the money was spent, they were shown a spread sheet that they did not believe was accurate. TTFF refused to provide audited accounts and the players became frustrated. A split occurred because 16 players wanted to take legal action, while the other 7 opted not to, for reasons that remain their own. They did, however, believe that the treatment of all of them was incorrect.

3. Is this blacklist legal.
Silence followed, and it became obvious that the 16 players, though wanting to play for T&T and making themselves available, were declared unavailable for selection by TTFF. Even coach Wim Rijsbergen admitted he would like the option of selecting from the 16. When Lawrence, Carlos and Clayton were called up, even though they were not involved in the court case, they decided to stand against the blacklist. It is believed that this blacklist is illegal and would be judged as victimisation.
During late 2006, some of the players decided it was time to push forward with FPATT, to ensure this kind of dispute would never re occur. If the union had been in place, it is likely that individuals would not have been blacklisted.

4. Tell us a bit about your work and how hard was it to form a union being based in the UK thousand of miles away.
I am a self employed financial adviser working for PFA Financial Management, and as such, spend a lot of time with players. I knew Ian Cox quite well and he introduced me to Brent and Kelvin, who asked for my help in getting FPATT off the ground. We held meetings with leading PFA officials, who explained the process and put us in touch with FIFPro, the world association of professional footballers unions. There are currently 42 unions with over 45,000 members.
We held a fundraising event in London which raised around £2,500. It has been very difficult to form a union in T&T from London, but we have help from people such as Alison Ayres who has worked extremely hard in Trinidad to pave the way for the players return to the islands.
Supporting FPATT has cost me personally over £5,000 in lost business, as I have not been paid a penny for my work with FPATT. I also paid my own flight and accommodation costs to go to Trinidad (although these will eventually be reimbursed).

5. How was your trip to T&T.
To give you an idea of my workload whilst in T&T, I will describe my first day there. I landed in Tobago around 5.30 p.m. I was met by Peter Granville, manager of Tobago United. We went straight to Channel 5 studios, where I conducted a TV interview. We then went to the Dwight Yorke Stadium to check on preparations for the FPATT funday the following day. I was then taken to meet the Tobago United players, watch them train, and then give a talk on the aims of FPATT. We then had more preparations for the funday to take care of. Finally, I checked into my hotel at 9.30p.m., 22 hours after I left from Gatwick Airport. After a quick shower and change, I finally got to have a cold carib (smile)....while I discussed the weeks plans with other FPATT helpers. Welcome To Trinidad & Tobago!!
My schedule was pretty much like that all week. I conducted 5 TV interviews, 3 radio interviews, numerous newspaper interviews, attended 3 matches, a 4 hour meeting with WIPA (cricket union) and a meeting with the Pro League that lasted over two hours. We held the first official FPATT meeting, and I had various meetings with individuals. So much for the Caribbean paradise!

6. Describe the meeting with WIPA & TT Pro League
The meeting with WIPA was extremely productive, and I feel we have formed a close bond which will see us work together in the future. I was also delighted by the response of the Pro League. There were representatives of 5 clubs as well as Dexter Skeene. I was well received and my views were sought on many issues outside of FPATT. I hope to be able to work with the Pro League in the development of football in T&T in the future. The Pro League made it clear that they are very much in support of FPATT and believe it is an important step forward in the professionalisation of T&T football. One area that both FPATT and the Pro League are keen to build on is supporter involvement, and we hope to see developments there soon.

7. So, what can FPATT achieve for players and supporters.
The truthful answer to that at this time, is, very little. Without funds, we cannot employ key professionals to build the union. Football is a business and, likewise, FPATT needs to be a business. The PFA in England received £16 million from tv rights alone last year! FPATT needs a manager who can control budgets, drive forward programmes and be acceptable to players, supporters and administrators alike. At this time, we do not have a person for this role in Trinidad. So, we ask for patience. The PFA is 100 years old. FPATT is one week old.

8. So what is your intentions on how you will go about getting funds.
One of our first tasks, aside from fundraising, is to create a list of ethical agents. FPATT will issue a minimum standard guideline and anybody wanting to be placed on FPATTs agent list should adhere to those minimum standards, or be removed. We feel this will immediately provide an important service to our members.
We hope to provide free legal advice to members very shortly.
We wish to liaise with the Pro League to maintain their standard contracts, and amend where needed.
We intend to introduce youth development programmes and have already identified key personnel.
We have a 5 year plan which will see many additions to the above, but, again, fundraising is paramount in the early years.

9. Will our overseas players benefit financially seeing that they are official members and are connected directly to FPATT or are they doing this for the good of the players.
I would also like to make it clear that the overseas players will not benefit in any way from the forming of this union. They will be non voting associate members, there to guide the union and follow the requests of local players. Eventually, it is hoped that the local players will play an increasingly active role in FPATTs day to day running.

10. What's next for you Kevin and will you join the SWO one day.
As for me? Well I need to earn some money in the UK! I will continue to assist where I can. I will also look to help the Pro League in its development, although at this stage, I'm not sure how much involvement is possible. Finally, I have been approached by some Jamaican internationals to help them to form a union as well. Next stop- Montego Bay!! I would also like to enroll myself on your board. I have been reading this site for a while, and it has given me a great insight to the feelings of the supporters and though I did not feel it correct to comment here myself, maybe some of Kent Soulmans comments were originally mine! This is a fantastic site, so keep up the good work!

Finally, I would like to publicly thank the Soca Warriors for making me welcome and showing me the sights in Port of Spain (occasionally through very bleary eyes - yeh unnerstan meh?!)

Thank You...
Kevin Harrison.

Note: On behalf of the Soca Warriors Online I just what to say Thank You to Mr. Kevin Harrison for taking the time to do this interview for us. Please keep up the great work you are doing and we wish you all the best in the future... you make us proud... good luck with FPATT and you have our 100% support. We also look forward to having you onboard the SWO.....

04-Jun-2007

You can read more on Kevin Harrison. Here is two pieces he did with Express writer Lasana Liburd, One.  Two.

FPATT- some comments on its aims.

Dah was a nice re-read