Guaya United target Pro League.

[Flex]

Guaya United target Pro League.
By Ian Prescott (Express).

They have accomplished step one by winning the 2013 National Super League, the second tier semi-professional league in Trinidad and Tobago.

Established in 2010 as the Guayaguayare United Active Youth Association (GUAYA), the  “Green Army”, Guaya United won the Super League by a point over long-time leaders Club Sando, after winning 2-1 away to Siparia Spurs on Sunday.

The next target for Guaya is to become  a fully professional club, and to play in the 2014- 2015 Digicel Pro League.

“As with any other champions, it is a wonderful feeling (to win),” head coach Ron La Forrest said, as Guaya celebrated their Super League championship. “Spirits are high and everyone associated with the team is happy. For now we give the players a break to enjoy their credible moment. Then, after Carnival, we get back together and see how we can put things together to go into the Pro League.”

The Guaya coach built his team around five experienced players, including former T&T Youth World Cup playmaker Leston Paul, who left for Central FC in January. It did not stop the team’s forward momentum since La Forest had two players filling every position, and a capable replacement for Paul.

“When I was a player, I always wanted to win. That is what I bring to Guaya,” La Forest said. “So, regardless of injury or if we lost players, the mindset is always to win.”

Having won on the field of play, the tougher battle now is to gain the financial support which would allow Guaya the opportunity to play professional football next season.

“Right now, we have some talks with some companies to try and get us into the Pro League,” La Forest said. “Richard Hadlee is the main man behind the team. Right now, he is the chief cook and bottle washer. But he is talking with some companies for us to get to the Pro League. You can’t go to the Pro League with your hands empty.”

Once coach of defunct Pro League club Ma Pau, La Forest made an important point. It will take at least $350,000 just to register Guaya as a Pro League club, and they also have to show a business development plan which guarantees that they can pay their players.

La Forest thinks Guaya have the ideal model required for professional football, and guaranteed community support. Just last year, Guaya hammered another community team, Civic Centre 4-0 in the Champion of Champions play-off to get into the Super League. They are now encouraged by the success of “Civic”, who are currently second in their first season of the Pro League.

La Forest said Guaya makes a good case to get into the Pro League, provided they have the financial backing.

“The team is based in the Eastern Counties region. We have players from Guaya, Rio Claro, Mayaro and Sangre Grande. We have one of the strongest supporter bases in the country,” La Forest declared. “Given the type of supporters we have, I think we will do well. Point Fortin have a good supporter base, and that has supported them well.”

Team

1. Kevon Saunders (GK); 77. Leroy Jones, 12. Akieno Morgan , 2. Marcus Ramkhelawan, 14. Sherlon Campbell, 19. Beville Joseph, 5. John Stewart; 27. Kheelon Mitchell, 99. Russell Alfred, 8. Kerdell Alfred, 9. Earlon Thomas, 18. Leston Paul (captain - released), 7. Jody Allsop; 10. Carlon Hughes, 80. Marius Des-Cartes (GK), 6. Zavion Navarro, 26. Kendes Garcia, 70. Kheelon Ferrier

Coach: Ron LaForest.

[Tiresais]

A couple exo-pro league players in that team - looks fairly strong and would love to see them in the Pro League

[dreamer]

I like the ambition. If this hunger and trend continues, especially with teams rediscovering the community base and bringing it to the Pro League, you could end up having a pretty decent Proleague in a few years. There is a critical point of buzz and fan support that has to be reached when enough of the waggonist fan peer pressure kicks in for sustained momentum and attraction of the big-moneyed stakeholders. Looking promising as long as Renraw, Horner and disciples are kept at bay and out of the cookie jar.

[loyalist]

no Ryan Stewart?

[Deeks]

I have guarded optimism about Guaya. Like the community approach to their football. I remeber another community team from that area, Mayaro United. They were good for a couple of years and they panned out. I hope this don't happened to them. How are they going to compete in the pro-league. Where they getting their money from. Where will they be playing. Do they have a youth team comprising of youths from the Eastern counties. Everybody quick to go in the pro-league and them reality bites. Ask FS and his Central team. So GOOD luck to them. It would be nice to have a new team in the league.

PLEASE, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUB.

[Tallman]

Guaya United parts ways with Ron La Forest
Guaya United Executive

The Executive of GUAYA UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB wishes to place on record it’s grateful thanks to members of the National Community who have been congratulating the club and sharing in our joy at winning the National Super League in our inaugural year of participation. The sentiments expressed by the wider population have convinced us that communities provide the best foundation for the complete revival of National football. This is a core belief of GUAYA UTD. FC.
 
Our Club also places on record it’s  thanks to Mr. Ronald La Forest who worked with us as Head Coach and Mr. Calvin Hughes as Assistant Coach for most of the season. Mr. La Forest’s experience served the community and our club in an excellent manner. However, GUAYA UTD. felt as the season progressed  there were major differences in vision and mission between the club and Mr. La Forest.
 
Ron's failure during the period January 11th - February 03rd 2014 - to respond positively and timely for an urgent meeting with the GUAYA Executive on matters relating to his commitment, dedication and training techniques for our program required of the executive to take immediate action for the continued success of GUAYA Utd.
 
His choice of preferring to attend, together with the assistant coach Mr. Calvin Hughes to an invitational football tournament in the US, whilst our team was preparing for 2nd round clashes with the 1st (Club Sando) and 2nd (Malabar FC) position teams at that time also lay serious doubts about his commitment to GUAYA Utd
 
During the aforementioned period neither Mr. Ronald La Forest or Mr Calvin Hughes were  involved in coaching Guaya Utd. In these circumstances, both parties met on February 15th 2014 and it was agreed that it would be mutually beneficial for separation to take place.
 
With Mr Vernon Haynes as interim coach and Joseph Weekes as his assistant the club played out its remaining schedule of six games, achieving 5 wins and 1 loss.
 
We wish to congratulate Messrs Haynes and Weekes for their sterling effort during the crucial last six rounds of the season. We therefore advise the National Community that Mr La Forest is no longer authorized to speak on behalf of GUAYA Utd. We wish him every success in his future endeavours. We now provide a list of persons, with numbers and emails should the media, corporate community or general public wish to make contact with our club.
 
Marvin Durham
President
788-2662
 
Randy Hagley
Vice President
680-2517
 
Jamieson Rigues
Manager
314-3858
 
Club e-mail guaya_utd@tstt.net.tt
 
For More information please call……….788-2662; 680-2517

[Tiresais]

Guaya United parts ways with Ron La Forest
Guaya United Executive

The Executive of GUAYA UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB wishes to place on record it’s grateful thanks to members of the National Community who have been congratulating the club and sharing in our joy at winning the National Super League in our inaugural year of participation. The sentiments expressed by the wider population have convinced us that communities provide the best foundation for the complete revival of National football. This is a core belief of GUAYA UTD. FC.
 
Our Club also places on record it’s  thanks to Mr. Ronald La Forest who worked with us as Head Coach and Mr. Calvin Hughes as Assistant Coach for most of the season. Mr. La Forest’s experience served the community and our club in an excellent manner. However, GUAYA UTD. felt as the season progressed  there were major differences in vision and mission between the club and Mr. La Forest.
 
Ron's failure during the period January 11th - February 03rd 2014 - to respond positively and timely for an urgent meeting with the GUAYA Executive on matters relating to his commitment, dedication and training techniques for our program required of the executive to take immediate action for the continued success of GUAYA Utd.
 
His choice of preferring to attend, together with the assistant coach Mr. Calvin Hughes to an invitational football tournament in the US, whilst our team was preparing for 2nd round clashes with the 1st (Club Sando) and 2nd (Malabar FC) position teams at that time also lay serious doubts about his commitment to GUAYA Utd
 
During the aforementioned period neither Mr. Ronald La Forest or Mr Calvin Hughes were  involved in coaching Guaya Utd. In these circumstances, both parties met on February 15th 2014 and it was agreed that it would be mutually beneficial for separation to take place.
 
With Mr Vernon Haynes as interim coach and Joseph Weekes as his assistant the club played out its remaining schedule of six games, achieving 5 wins and 1 loss.
 
We wish to congratulate Messrs Haynes and Weekes for their sterling effort during the crucial last six rounds of the season. We therefore advise the National Community that Mr La Forest is no longer authorized to speak on behalf of GUAYA Utd. We wish him every success in his future endeavours. We now provide a list of persons, with numbers and emails should the media, corporate community or general public wish to make contact with our club.
 
Marvin Durham
President
788-2662
 
Randy Hagley
Vice President
680-2517
 
Jamieson Rigues
Manager
314-3858
 
Club e-mail guaya_utd@tstt.net.tt
 
For More information please call……….788-2662; 680-2517

Woah that's out of the blue - what's the story behind this?

[Tenorsaw]

Well, their side of the story is that La Forest and his assistant deserted the team during preparation for a crucial round of games to tour the US with another team.  If that is the case, I would question the commitment of the coaching staff too. Let's now wait for the other side of the story.

[Deeks]

Well, well, well!!!

[elan]

Meh boy is the Presi at Guaya. Did not even know that. Got to link him.

[Sam]

De local man curse.

Good job Guaya.

[Tiresais]

Club, La Forest part company.
By Ian Prescott (Express).

Guaya bacchanal

There is apparently a major fallout within the ranks of Guaya Uni­ted, recently crowned champions of the bmobile National Super League football competition.

Executives of Guaya United state that coach Ron La Forest is no longer with the team, a position which the former T&T footballer disputes.

Yesterday, Guaya issued a press release, indicating they had parted company with head coach La Forest and his assistant, Calvin Hughes, two weeks before winning the 2013 National Super League title.

Guaya were crowned Super League champions last Sunday, following a 2-1 win over Siparia Spurs, and are now looking at entering the Pro League.

 “Both parties met on February 15, 2014, and it was agreed that it would be mutually beneficial for separation to take place,” Guaya said in the press release.

“With Mr Vernon Haynes as interim coach and Joseph Weekes as his assistant, the club played out its remaining schedule of six games, achieving five wins and one loss.”

However, La Forest said yesterday he is still with the club.

“That is old talk,” La Forest declared. “We have some in-house issues and we are dealing with that.”

Contacted yesterday, one of the club’s main financiers, Randy Hagley, of Zoe Services, confirmed an internal dispute and that La For­est had not been coaching the players recently.

“He (La Forest) is not with the team at present,” stated Hagley, who is also Guaya vice-president.

“There is a dispute between the executive and the team and Mr La Forrest, which has not yet been settled.”

 In his release to the media yesterday, Guaya president Marvin Durham thanked La Forest for his part in the team’s success and said his experience served the community and the club in an excellent manner. However, Guaya felt that as the season progressed, there were major differences in vision and mission between the club and coach La Forest.

“His choice of preferring to attend, together with the assistant coach, Mr Calvin Hughes, an invitational football tournament in the USA whilst our team was prepa­ring for second-round clashes with the first (Club Sando) and second (Malabar FC) position teams at that time also lay serious doubts about his commitment to Guaya Utd.

“Ron’s failure during the period January 11 to February 3, 2014, to respond positively and timely for an urgent meeting with the Guaya executive, on matters relating to his commitment, dedication and training techniques for our programme, required of the executive to take immediate action for the continued success of Guaya Utd.”

[Flex]

McComie joins Guaya United.
By Ian Prescott (Express).

FORMER Scotland-based Soca Warrior Collin Samuel may be playing with Pro League aspirants Guaya United, which has also signed former Joe Public and Ma Pau SC head-coach Michael McComie as its new technical director.

At the same time Guaya will maintain its community links by maintaining its community coaches for its professional and Super League teams. 

President Marvin Durham revealed that Guaya, last year’s winner of the second-tier, semi-professional league, is on track with its ambitions to join the professional league for the 2014-2015 season, and that McComie’s addition is the first major part of the puzzle.

There is also an effort to strengthen Guaya with the addition of Mayaro-born T&T 2006 World Cup winger Samuel.  And an effort is also being made to woo former T&T Under-20 World Cup midfielder Leston Paul back to his home team, after his January transfer to Central FC. 

Guaya want to maintain the successful community relationship which made it one of the most popular community teams in the Super League last season and will maintain Joseph Weekes as Pro League coach with McComie overseeing the overall programme. Weekes took over the team in the last few weeks of the Super League after the club and former head-coach Ron La Forest parted ways.

“What we did is bring on McComie and make him the technical director,” Durham said. “Our coaches do not yet have the experience that may be required in the Pro League and we are confident that he can pass on his wealth of experience.”

Meanwhile, Durham said talks are also on-going with Samuel and Paul. “We are looking forward to bringing them back in our ranks,” Durham stated. “We have spoken to them and so far it looks positive.” The club had made a proposal to a major sponsor and also submitted an application to join the Pro League.

Talks with both the sponsor and Pro League are on-going as well, but the Guaya president is confident that they will be in the Pro League at the start of the new season.

The “Green Army” won the 2013-14 bmobile National Super League in its first year of participation, and ended the season with a massive motorcade from Valencia Junction and a celebratory function at New Lands Recreation Ground, where they also began preparations for the new season with screening sessions on May 17.

[dreamer]

Very interesting. Good move by TTFA. Excitement for the Proleague with the injection of this characterful, and yes controversial, but admittedly talented McComie who might have played smart to lay low abroad and get some badges to get more leverage after his last fracas. He would have learnt stuff stewing out in the cold by now. To advertize the Proleague you need more of the Fenwick, McComie, in-your-face Mourinho types to create a buzz. Get ready for the ride.

[Sam]

Very interesting. Good move by TTFA. Excitement for the Proleague with the injection if this characterful, and yes controversial, but admittedly talented McComie who might have olayed smart to lay low abroad and get some badges to get more leverage.

??, TTFA?

Anyhow.

This big head f00cker came back boy.

Lard.

ATTITUDE is a weakness.

I hope he lose he first 20 games.

When you have men like Angus Eve and McComie who feel they reach and unwilling to work with others, it does cause a real problem and eventually they does get boil down like baggie.

[dreamer]

Sam, ah saw you coming woth these comments like night follows day! 
Doh worry breddah, it going to be a good move. Watch this space.

[Tiresais]

So they're planning both Pro League and Super League teams? Interesting

[Errol]

They bitting more than they could chew.

 

[Flex]

Guaya United fancies Pro League chance.
T&T Newsday Reports.

REIGNING SUPER League champions Guaya United are working feverishly on meeting the entry requirements of the TT Pro League.

But the Guayaguayare-based club has signalled its intentions for the top tier league with the acquisition of 2006 Pro League Coach of the Year Michael McComie as technical director/coach.

The 42-year-old McComie, who guided Joe Public to the 2006 Pro League title and 2007 FA Trophy, boasts the know-how to lead a Super League team to the next level, having led the “Eastern Lions” to consecutive Super League titles on 2004 and 2005 before entering the Pro League for immediate success.

“We see Mike (McComie) as someone who can add value to the structure of our organisation,” said Guaya United team manager Jameson Rigues. “Mike would have displayed competence as coach at various levels. He has also offered his willingness to work with (our) team in preparing our players for the next level. And so far he is doing a great job.”

Rigues said that Joseph Weekes, who carried the team through its final weeks of last season’s Super League after the club had parted ways with Ron La Forest, will serve as assistant coach to McComie.

Last season Guaya United, backed by its noisy and loyal supporters, had tremendous runs in all competitions. The Super League winners also finished runners-up in the Super League knockout, and were semi-finalists in the Toyota Classic and quarterfinalists in the FA Trophy.

“It has always been the club’s ambition to play in the Caribbean Club Championship towards the CONCACAF Champions League,” added Rigues. “So last season we competed in the Super League and won the league. We believe it is time now to take the next step, hence the reason why we took this decision to try and enter the Pro League.

“The supporters would have also spoken to us about competing at the Pro League level because this is what the community wants. So we are working on all the requirements. It is a new environment for us. We like to do things in accordance with the requirements. We are in continued talks with sponsors and so on, while the team is going on full speed ahead in preparation.”

Rigues said that Guaya have already retained most of its squad from last season, including veteran midfielder Ryan Stewart, Karlon Hughes, Kevin Jagdeosingh, Shurland Hyman, Kendes Garcia and goalkeeper Kevon Saunders, while 32-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago international and Scottish-based player Collin Samuel and former national youth team captain Leston Paul, after his January transfer to Central FC, are Guaya’s big targets

[dreamer]

If they get Collin Samuel that would be a big big victory as dat boy could play and would create tremendous buzz in the Proleague. Would also start a new arms race as other teams start paying bigger money to attract some marquee' T&T players. Leston Paul would also be a very good re-acquisition, no doubt as some think he is close to national team selection.

[Sam]

McComie

       

[Tiresais]

If they get Collin Samuel that would be a big big victory as dat boy could play and would create tremendous buzz in the Proleague. Would also start a new arms race as other teams start paying bigger money to attract some marquee' T&T players. Leston Paul would also be a very good re-acquisition, no doubt as some think he is close to national team selection.

I'm surprised Samuel spent the season without a club tbh, would have thought someone would have picked him up earlier - is he not interested in returning?

[dreamer]

Since it was reported that McComie was supposed to come back and handle one of those upcoming super league teams (was it Guaya?) haven't heard anything. Any updates? Reespec '.

[dreamer]

Tallman. Any news chief?

[Football supporter]

Since it was reported that McComie was supposed to come back and handle one of those upcoming super league teams (was it Guaya?) haven't heard anything. Any updates? Reespec '.

I think McComie is coaching Guaya, but they're not in the Pro League.

[Tallman]

WATCH: One on one with Guaya United captain, Ryan Stewart
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/LTBAwD6qVyo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/LTBAwD6qVyo</a>