Players in every sport everywhere love to perform before a crowd. Hostile or not. It's where you get your validation. Not just sports people, but performers in every realm.
People can say what they want about minor league. When you playing with the crowd right around the field, the emotion and adrenaline is primary. Validation is secondary as far as I concern.
I play in St.Joseph Savannah. Eddie Hart, St James Infirmary(Poor House), Red Hill, Dabadie, Trou Macaque. All them community league is just adrenaline. If this current proleague had that, then they will be well on their way to be a success. I don't know why they can't get crowds. They over 10 yrs old, they get govt subvention, but they don't draw the crowd of the old POSFL,SFL, SFA, NFL, etc and the days of ASL and them. This league is an independent league. They are not run by the TTFA. So what is their problem.
But if a player signs a contract with a pro club, he has no right playing in minor league. punto final.
how could you get the crowds when games are played on a neutral ground tens of miles away from home supporters? even the premier league has home grounds, whitehart lane, anfield, tyne side, wareside, goodison park , bramall lane, ewood park, portman road, the hawthorns. these places are all situated in or around the city center and well within walking distance.
the pro league has to find ways of bringing the games into the community where after a game the home supporters could gather at a bar or on the home pitch and celebrate a victory or drown their sorrows in a neighborhood pub.
It can be done. I have said before. Jabloteh and Caledonia should be playing at a field constructed in Aranguez. There is enough room in Aranguez to build a 5000 mini stadium(possibly turf field). These 2 teams are about 5 miles apart. Rangers and DF can play in the stadium. NE need a field in Grande. Not a massive field. You mean to say they can't buy a piece a land somewhere in Grande. What about Ojoe rd. Central and Connection have multiple options. Club Sando can play in Skinner Park.
Jabloteh are getting a stadium at the Ato Boldon ground. North East are getting one at Ojo Road. Tenders are out now. The plan is that by 2017 every Pro League club will have a stadium (although some may share like Connection & Central). Each will be income generating and managed by the clubs (i.e. 30% of income goes to Ministry for maintenance costs, 70% to clubs) This way, subventions can be reduced and maybe redirected to Super League clubs (who would also get access to stadiums for training etc)
The 3 core reasons for WPL are: help the WNT prepare for PanAm, prove that corporate T&T can be attracted to football, prove that there is a hunger for quality football in the communities and this can be serviced.
I feel that all three have been accomplished. We invited many corporate leaders such as Norman Sagba to the WPL games and they were truly inspired. I have met with several CEO's of big brands who want to take a franchise store in the new stadiums. Instead of naming them after former athletes, we would sell naming rights i.e. the BMW Stadium, the Caribbean Kool arena etc. Many companies are interested in this.
Finally, when the English Football League went into meltdown in the 80's, the UK government took active steps to help it recover. Professional football is an inspiration to many and an important part of a nations fabric. It is very much in any governments interest to make it work.