Morris: FPATT to take care of players
...not picking row with Football Federation
By: Kern De Freitas (Express)
Sunday, June 17th 2007
THE newly-established Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) have outlined their main goal as seeking the interests of national footballers, but they are hardly gearing up for a fight with the T&T Football Federation (TTFF).
Many of FPATT's members are currently embroiled in a disagreement with the T&TFF over claims the Federation reneged on agreements for bonus payments for their participation in the 2006 World Cup.
But FPATT vice-president, former national captain Clayton Morris, says this issue is not on the official agenda of the Players Association.
"That is one of the things being discussed, but that is not going to be dealt with by FPATT. That is already being dealt with by another legal source," Morris told the Sunday Express.
The Association is being led by Germany 2006 hero Shaka Hislop, with other former and current players in their line-up, including Anthony Rougier, Leonson Lewis, Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick and Cyd Gray.
Morris explained that FPATT were in the process of trying to procure a headquarters, after which they would be focussing on their membership. "The first thing is to get the headquarters and then (move on to) the membership drive. We have to get all the footballing persons mobilised, because it is from the members you get the strength," he pointed out.
FPATT have already appointed an interim board that will act for a year, before their first annual elections are held. Their main focus will be investing in players and having players themselves investing in their own futures.
"We want to make people aware that there is a lot in store for players," Morris said, "and we want to give them the assurance that once they become a member, FPATT will take care of their physical needs.
"A lot of players have suffered in the past, where they were victimised, they were exploited, so we want to make sure that does not happen in the future to the professional players."
Several benefits will also be available for the players, including insurance and gratuity when their playing days are over. The association will also look into providing scholarships for promising players who cannot afford it.
The next step, though, is to establish ties with the T&TFF.
"That is what we are doing now, seeking the blessings of the T&TFF so that we can really get this thing going.
"Everybody will think FPATT comes about now to fight the T&TFF for the funds outstanding for the guys," Morris said. "That isn't so. Even before my time there were efforts to form an association to make sure the players benefit, but it failed." He concluded: "We are not here to fight the association...we are here for the betterment of the players."
FPATT Executive:
Shaka Hislop (president), Clayton Morris (vice-president), Anthony Rougier, Leonson Lewis, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Cyd Gray (full members); George Hislop, Darren Millien, Philip Nunez (co-opted members).
