United Petrotrin makes massive shake up.

[Flex]

Petrotrin FC blanks local coaches, youth teams.
...as Oilmen sign Whitley, Gray, Mason.
T&T Guardian Reports.

There is currently a massive shake up in the southern part of Trinidad as Pro League club United Petrotrin makes some pessimistic adjustments according to one source. According to the source close to the club, United Petrotrin is losing sight of club policies and accuses board member Arnold Corneal, Corporate Communications Manager at Petrotrin of a personal takeover.

“Already he (Corneal) has squashed the youth systems at the club,” said another source at the club. “This is something that is clearly against club policies which is stated even on our (www.petrotrin.com) club’s Web site.”

In 2008 the United Petrotirn website named a new Management Committee for the 2009-2011 period comprising Chairman Arnold Corneal, Secretary Larry Lalchan, Ulric Mc Nicol; Roseanna Hospedales, Keith London, Dennis Turton, Dr Victor Coombs and Steve David. The Web site further stated that these officials are responsible for the effective administration of the United Petrotrin Team to enable it to achieve its strategic objectives.

These objectives include: developing players, enhancing communities, lifting the standings of community football and of course, winning matches. “We don’t like what’s going on and it seems like there is a takeover bid by Corneal and the people of these communities are not pleased,” he added. The source further explained that SKY Football Academy, based in north Trinidad and owned and managed by Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, will represent United Petrotrin at youth levels under the directive of Corneal who is also a close friend to Skeene.

“We, the people of these southern communities relied on the United Petritron football club youth academy as a way out for our youths. Parents are now crying out because of the loss of this opportunity. It is clearly unfair to the people of south Trinidad.” The source believes that opportunities should have been awarded to youth academies in the southern districts naming academies in areas such as La Brea, Sipiria, Point Fortin, Palo Seco and Fyzabad—all fence line communities of United Petrotrin.

Petrotrin’s U-14 and U-18 divisions had great success last season finishing winners and runners up respectively, however success wasn’t the same at Senior level finishing without a title and sixth in the League after an impressive start with seven wins in a row. Last season saw long-time coach Brian Williams being sacked in September after unimpressive results and replaced by Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive coach Leon Carpette as caretaker. Williams left the Oilmen in fifth position, but they fell one spot into sixth by the end of the season finishing with just 39 points.

Some pundits blamed the poor management at the club for disappointing results sighting the loss of striker Jerrol Forbes to League winners Clico San Juan Jabloteh in September as a major fault. Forbes was contracted for just six months in 2008 leaving Jabloteh with the option of signing the ace without hesitation.
The Oilmen are currently seeking an unnamed Brazilian for the head coach role and he is expected to arrive in Trinidad later this week to finalise talks.

“It’s interesting to see what unfolds,” said a former technical member of United Petrotrin, who spoke to the T&T Guardian.

“As far as we are informed they are looking at coaches outside of Petrotrin and as far as overseas. I think that there are people right here inside Petrotrin that are more than capable of filling all coaching positions.” The member continued: “They talk about tightening belts, yet they are overlooking what they have available to them. I think the board at United Petrotrin Football Club should really rethink what they are doing and look inside the company.

We have former national footballers and people who can be good administrators to fill the roles that are vacant at United Petrotrin,” said the disgusted former member of United Petrotrin Football Club. Meantime Corneal has been on the pitch according to the source overseeing (assistant coach) Philbert Jones as the club indulges in pre-season preparations. The Guardian was informed that discarded T&T internationals Aurtis Whitley, Cyd Gray, Stokely Mason, Nigel Pierre and Brent Sancho were all part of the United Petrotrin pre-season camp with Whitley, Gray and Mason already signed.

United Petrotrin played a practice match on Tuesday against the T&T U-17s, coached by Anton Corneal, brother of Arnold Corneal, in which they drew 2-2 at the Petrotrin Learning Centre, Point-a- Pierre. Defenders Makan Hislop and Lyndon Diaz of last season’s squad are still attached to the club as they prepare for the 2009 season which kicks off in April.


Aurtis Whitley...last played for W Connection in 2008
Cyd Gray.... discarded national defender
Stokely Mason....out of competitive football since 2005

[Sam]

That name CORNEAL is a blight..... Anywhere they go they cause trouble and comess.....

[Sando]

I could understand Gray, Sancho and Whitley signing, but Mason and Pierre.... 

Petrotrin needs to take care of the youths in their community first, Corneal clearly dont have them at heart.

Cant see Whitley traveling way down south..... unless he wok some PH on his way to training..... 

Dwarika is a good addition, Petrotrin should vibes him too...

But also look to the youths.....

[Tallman]

Rumour has it dat de Brazilian coach is Marcio Maximo, who most recently was coach of Tanzania. He also coached Livingston (Scotland) and Cayman Islands. Supposedly is one ah Alvin pardnas. But ah guess all will be revealed in due course.


Anyway, if what is reported in de Guardian is true, den it is utter bullshit dey doing because they are going against their original mission statement and focus as outlined below. After de good performances of Petrotrin's youth teams over de years, why would they now go and use Dexter Skeene's coaching school to represent them? If the reason is financial, why couldn't dey find a team from de surrounding communities, instead of going way up North? Also, wouldn't there  be a conflict of interest with the CEO of the league fielding a team in the same league? Why they pursuing all them older fellas? One or two is OK, but so much? Steups! I understand dat a lot of de players from last year are heading over to Rougier's team, South End FC. These people jes trying tuh mash up Petrotrin football yes.

United Petrotrin Football Program
petrotrin.com

The United Petrotrin Community Football Program was launched in 2005 to enhance the Company’s contribution to football in its fence line communities.

The United Petrotrin Community Football Program seeks, among other things, to establish youth leagues in all our fence line communities. It also seeks to identify talented sportsmen with academic credentials and facilitate their further development.

While the United Petrotrin Community Football Program was only recently formed, Petrotrin and its predecessor companies have been noted for their support of football in fence line communities throughout South Trinidad. These include communities such as Point Fortin in the South West, Guayaguayare in the South East, Penal, Fyzabad, Santa Flora and Marabella. Over many years the Company has pumped large quantities of funding into football leagues and competitions. Entire generations of national footballers have literally grown up on our football grounds linked to the 12 or more recreational clubs run by Petrotrin and its predecessors. The famous Strike Squad of 1989 included more than 6 employees of our predecessor companies.

Petrotrin’s involvement in football has not only provided an avenue for players to showcase and develop their talents, it has fostered and strengthened intercommunity relationships. Over the years, Company personnel have served in critical administrative and technical capacities in the football arena.

Early in 2005 the Company made the decision to participate in Trinidad and Tobago Professional League, giving rise to the birth of United Petrotrin Pro-League Football Team. This investment would cost the Company TT$3 million over 3 years. The Petrotrin Board envisioned a team that would enter the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League with players drawn from all over our neighboring communities. Our philosophy is that participation is the key. More importantly, creating synergies between Southern communities, promoting positive alternatives to youth delinquency and winning the hearts and minds of our neighbors are as important as winning on the football field.

After starting our entrance into the professional league at the final hour, without pre-season training, the squad was able to win the most prestigious tournament in the league- the Big Six Championship in 2005. The professional team went on to edge out all other competitors and cop the Toyota Classic Trophy in 2006.

[davidephraim]

Dwarika is a good addition, Petrotrin should vibes him too...

Forget Dwarika they have Kwame Wilthshire.  allyuh remember dat fella?? Well ah been vibsin with him over carnival season an he is charged up about petrotrin season. Lookin for big things from dat player. He and tinto are 2 favorite players of mine.

[pardners]

Dwarika is a good addition, Petrotrin should vibes him too...

Forget Dwarika they have Kwame Wilthshire.  allyuh remember dat fella?? Well ah been vibsin with him over carnival season an he is charged up about petrotrin season. Lookin for big things from dat player. He and tinto are 2 favorite players of mine.

I always liked Kwame as a player since the Eldo days.  Didn't he get a bligh as one of the young tryouts on the NT in the earlies ?

Corneal moving like a lord unto himself.

If all them fellas really sign, I might be tempted to actually take in some games this season.

Stokley Mason and Nigel Pierre boy...they hadda be real desparate now.

[pardners]

Petrotrin FC blanks local coaches, youth teams.
...as Oilmen sign Whitley, Gray, Mason.
T&T Guardian Reports.



United Petrotrin played a practice match on Tuesday against the T&T U-17s, coached by Anton Corneal, brother of Arnold Corneal, in which they drew 2-2 at the Petrotrin Learning Centre, Point-a- Pierre. Defenders Makan Hislop and Lyndon Diaz of last season’s squad are still attached to the club as they prepare for the 2009 season which kicks off in April.

Aurtis Whitley...last played for W Connection in 2008
Cyd Gray.... discarded national defender
Stokely Mason....out of competitive football since 2005

The Guardian again for this setta incorrect reporting.

I knew I saw the email saying that game was against the U20s, coached by Vranes, not the U17s.
Andre Samuel post just confirmed that too.

[Sam]

Kwame Wilthshire might be a decent player but he have an attitude problem.

[weary1969]

Kwame Wilthshire might be a decent player but he have an attitude problem.

Then he should fit in nicely.

[just cool]

Petrotrin FC blanks local coaches, youth teams.
...as Oilmen sign Whitley, Gray, Mason.
T&T Guardian Reports.



United Petrotrin played a practice match on Tuesday against the T&T U-17s, coached by Anton Corneal, brother of Arnold Corneal, in which they drew 2-2 at the Petrotrin Learning Centre, Point-a- Pierre. Defenders Makan Hislop and Lyndon Diaz of last season’s squad are still attached to the club as they prepare for the 2009 season which kicks off in April.

Aurtis Whitley...last played for W Connection in 2008
Cyd Gray.... discarded national defender
Stokely Mason....out of competitive football since 2005

The Guardian again for this setta incorrect reporting.

I knew I saw the email saying that game was against the U20s, coached by Vranes, not the U17s.
Andre Samuel post just confirmed that too.

Whitley looking like he just bun down ah whole chalace full ah peng!

[Tallman]

And what did this accomplish? Not even ah Big Six spot. Dey do wuss dan last year. Steups!

[weary1969]

And what did this accomplish? Not even ah Big Six spot. Dey do wuss dan last year. Steups!

Dat is 4 firing BW.

[fordy]

shit they cant even pay their players how can they compete in the league and expect to win???

[Observer]

They drop een ah spy    from North to keep down South youths from developing 

Seriously though it seems the youth program had potential. If they are struggling to
pay players, it makes more sense to expand the youth program & go with players
who have ties to the club. Give the coach two years and see what happens in year 3.

To turn over the youth programming to Dexter S and them sounds like friend friend ting  .
No logic attached to it at all.

[E-man]

Anyway, if what is reported in de Guardian is true, den it is utter bullshit dey doing because they are going against their original mission statement and focus as outlined below. After de good performances of Petrotrin's youth teams over de years, why would they now go and use Dexter Skeene's coaching school to represent them? If the reason is financial, why couldn't dey find a team from de surrounding communities, instead of going way up North? Also, wouldn't there  be a conflict of interest with the CEO of the league fielding a team in the same league? Why they pursuing all them older fellas? One or two is OK, but so much? Steups! I understand dat a lot of de players from last year are heading over to Rougier's team, South End FC. These people jes trying tuh mash up Petrotrin football yes.

It sounds like Corneal made this decision on his own as chair. What is the position of the other members of the board? Can't they override this if they want?

Chairman Arnold Corneal, Secretary Larry Lalchan, Ulric Mc Nicol; Roseanna Hospedales, Keith London, Dennis Turton, Dr Victor Coombs and Steve David.

[Sando]

Corneal is the biggest problem at this club. Its seems the Corneals have a strong hold on T&T football and no one can stop them.