North East Stars have found themselves a King.

[Flex]

North East Stars have found themselves a King.
By Inshan Mohammed.

After thirteen years of trophy-less Pro League seasons, Derek King finally gave North East Stars something to shine about when they were crowned the Trinidad and Tobago 2017 Pro League Champions.

Obviously, North East Stars (Stars) did win a few minor tournaments in-between those thirteen years but there is no greater feeling than winning silverware in T&T's top flight league.

Winning trophies in the local league is nothing new for Stars head coach Derek King though. Back in 2009 while coaching Joe Public FC (Eastern Lions), King racked up quite a few medals when he guided Joe Public to five titles including; the FA Trophy Champions, the Digicel Pro Bowl crown, the Toyota Classic, the Big Six and to top things off, the Pro League. It was more silverware than any club had previously gathered in a single season. For his accomplishment, he was named 2009 T&T Pro League Coach of the Year.

Ironically, in the following season North East Stars were the ones that literally cost Derek King his job as head coach of Joe Public. The Eastern Lions needed a win against Stars in their last league game to finish second but could only muster up a 1-1 draw. Not only did King's men failed to defend the title, but they also failed to qualify for CFU Club Championship and a chance to go further and compete in the CONCACAF Champions’ League. As a result, King was reduced in rank from Head Coach to assistant Coach. Rajesh Latchoo, assistant coach to King, was promoted to interim Head Coach.

King was part of the Trinidad and Tobago coaching staff under former head coach Stephen Hart that steered the Soca Warriors back to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2013. Hart was terminated by the TTFA earlier this year along with his two assistants (King and Hutson Charles).

After a six-year absence in the league, King has found new life once more and is loving every moment of it. Only his first year back and he has already won the TT Pro League title.

1. Congrats from SWO on your latest achievements with NE Stars. Now that you have qualified for next season’s Caribbean Club Championship will you be making anymore signings as depth is very important and how are you planning to prepare for it, maybe an overseas tournament or camp?
DK. Thanks you. We need are on the verge of talking to a couple of players to add to the current squad. I will be meeting with my boss Darryl Mahabir and Ryan Nunez after our last league game on Tuesday to discuss preparation for next season.

2. Back in 2004 North East Stars had qualified for the CONCACAF Champion League but pulled out because of financial troubles. What are the Club trying to do to prevent this from happening again?
DK. Darryl Mahabir are currently in discussion with Ryan Nunez to assist in the club day to day affairs.

3. I've notice that North East Stars have a fully locally born team (correct me if I am wrong), is this part of your philosophy and what sort of youth development the Club offers for future T&T players.
DK. We have one foreign player Guyanese goalkeeper Akel Clarke. The rest of the team is local base players. My goal for next season is to bring in some top young local base players to add with the experience ones we have. It will help with our development both club and country by taking part in CFU and Concacaf.

4. If you had to pick 23 of the best players in the league, 8 defenders, 8 midfielders, 4 forwards and 3 keepers, who would they be.

DK.

3 Goalkeepers - 1. Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic), 2. Glenroy Samuel (Morvant Caledonia United), 3. Adrian Foncette (Police FC).

8 Defenders - 1. Yohance Marshall (North East Stars), 2. Keston George (North East Stars), 3. Jameel Neptune (North East Stars), 4. Shane Sandy (St. Ann’s Rangers), 5. Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), 6. Tyrik Sampson (Central FC), 7.Josiah Trimmingham (Club Sando), 8. Triston Hodge (W Connection).

8 Midfielders - 1. Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh), 2. Densill Theobald (North East Stars), 3. Kevon Goddard (North East Stars), 4, Neil Benjamin Jr. (W Connection), 5. Elton John (North East Stars), 6. Nathaniel Garcia (Point Fortin Civic), 7. Kathon St Hillaire (St. Ann’s Rangers), 8. Duane Muckette (North East Stars).

4 Forwards -1. Marcus Joseph (W Connection), 2. Rundell Winchester (North East Stars), 3. Akim Armstrong (Club Sando), 4. Sheldon Holder (Morvant Caledonia United).

5. Now that CONCACAF is threatening to close down the Leagues in the Caribbean if Clubs don't comply with certain requirement. Is North East Stars administration taking this serious?
DK. North East Stars is one of the club comply with their requirements.

6. Obviously, NE Stars doesn't have the finances Joe Public had when you were there winning all those titles in 2009, as we've noticed that Stars were knocked out from all the other tournaments. Given this fact, would you say winning the 2017 title with NE Stars your sweetest (not biggest) achievement, and how hard was it to accomplished this. Furthermore, you've signed some top players (Rundell Winchester, Keston George, Kevon Goddard and Akeem Garcia) and older players that has a lot of experience and could have still played aboard like Yohance Marshall and Julius James. Was it hard to convince these players to join your team?
DK. The league title was always first on our agenda for this year. Every club want to win the league. It was a great achievement for the club. I being back in the league after a few years was also great for me as a young coach. What I did this year with the FCB and FA Cups was to give some of my players playing time. We don't have a reserve league so you have to find time to assist the young players. It was tough because of the number of breaks during the season. You have to find ways to keep your players physically and mentally prepared.

I won the title when I was 29 years [at Joe Public] and now I am 37. So I am in the books twice as the the youngest coach to win the Pro League and the second youngest to win it. I still consider myself a young coach and I’m just trying to get better every day.

It was easy convincing these players because a lot of them worked with me before. I had Akeem Garcia, Duane Muckette, Kevon Goddard, Kishon Seecharan and Jomoul Francios with the National Under 20 Team. Yohance Marshall and Densill Thoebald worked with me at the Senior level. I get along with my players and always try to get the best out of them.

Pro League titles (by coach)

5—Stuart Charles-Fevrier (W Connection),

4—Terry Fenwick (San Juan Jabloteh [3] and Central FC [1]),

2—Dale Saunders (Central FC), Ross Russell (Defence Force), Derek King (Joe Public [1] and North East Stars [1]),

1—Errol McFarlane (Defence Force), Michael McComie (Joe Public), James McLean (North East Stars), Ricky Hill (San Juan Jabloteh).

[maxg]

Q: Did you learn anything or attribute any of your successes from working with SH ? 

[Sando]

King should try and sign Kenwyne Jones, Shannon Gomez, Cornell Glen, Jamille Boatswain, Jonathan Glenn and Keron Cummings.

North East will need depth and money to get to the CCL.

Good going Derek.

[maxg]

King should try and sign Kenwyne Jones, Shannon Gomez, Cornell Glen, Jamille Boatswain, Jonathan Glenn and Keron Cummings.

North East will need depth and money to get to the CCL.

Good going Derek.

I refer you to Q2
2. Back in 2004 North East Stars had qualified for the CONCACAF Champion League but pulled out because of financial troubles. What are the Club trying to do to prevent this from happening again?
DK. Darryl Mahabir are currently in discussion with Ryan Nunez to assist in the club day to day affairs.

[Flex]

John-Williams salutes Pro League kings.
T&T Newsday Reports.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president, David John-Williams, has extended congratulations to North East Stars for their successful campaign in the 2017 TT Pro League.

“I will personally like to congratulate North East Stars, their staff and administrators for capturing the Pro League title in grand style under difficult conditions,” said John-Williams in a media release on Friday. “I must say a special congratulations to club owner Daryll Mahabir who continues to be one of the league’s (visionaries) and refuses to give up despite the difficulties encountered this season” John-Williams continued.

“The product North East produced on and off the field has been a credit to them and the League as both continue to improve with the aim of conquering the region next. The TTFA will do all in its power to support teams at the higher level,” the TTFA president concluded.

The Arima-based club will now look forward the the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship and the Champions League. Joining them in regional competition will be W Connection FC who grabbed second place in the Pro League ahead of Defence Force, with Club Sando finishing in fourth.

[Deeks]

I hope NE is financially prepared to play in the CFU. If they are not, they should opt out and letthe next best team go. It is mind-boogling. With all these business in TT, they can't find one to aissist them?

[asylumseeker]

I hope NE is financially prepared to play in the CFU. If they are not, they should opt out and letthe next best team go. It is mind-boogling. With all these business in TT, they can't find one to aissist them?

Ah think CONCACAF handling the bill.

[Flex]

King reflects on successful 2017 season.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).

Derek King, coach of 2017 TT Pro League champions North East Stars, is looking for the opportunity to guide his team at the 2018 CONCACAF Club Championships.

The former Trinidad and Tobago team defender and assistant coach recently spoke on his successful season with the now Arima-based team, as well as winning the league crown with his second team, having done the same with Joe Public in 2009.

JOEL BAILEY (JB): How it feels to win the title again, having won it with Joe Public?

DEREK KING (DK): It feels good being back, coaching in club football. I haven’t been there (for) six or seven years. It’s a joy coaching every day. With the national team, you go to watch games and then you’ll prepare a team about five days before a game. It’s good. At the end of the day, it’s a joy to have players that I’ve really worked with before – Akeem Garcia, (Duane) Muckette, (Jomoul) Francois, (Kevon) Goddard, players that I’ve worked with in the national Under-20 team. Densill (Theobald), we played together for a short time at Joe Public, Yohance (Marshall), (Rundell) Winchester worked with me with the national set-up. So (they are) players that I’m accustomed with and they know my philosophy. It’s my first time back and we won the League.

JB: How hard was it to move the team from Sangre Grande to Arima?

DK: Before the season, we really were supposed to have a takeover of the club (by Terry) Fenwick. Things didn’t work out and our general manager Darryl Mahabir, I think his plan was, more or less, to ease up from the football because of other issues. (However) he’s back in the football and we have to say thanks for him for his support. We built a relationship with the Arima Mayor (Lisa Morris-Julian) and the Arima community, to get the team to use the Velodrome as our base. We have to applaud the Arima community for that support. From here on, we can grow from strength to strength.

JB: Your time with former TT coach Stephen Hart, how did you benefit as a coach?

DK: I’ve maintained a good relationship with Stephen Hart and Hutson Charles. Working at the international level, I’ve gained that experience. I’ve gained a lot from Stephen, knowing (he) is a coach that would always give you that opportunity to express yourself. That was a key point in my coaching career because I’m a young coach and I’m still learning. I think he was doing the right thing, pertaining to Trinidad football. So be it, it didn’t work out. It’s something that I’ve really continued and it worked for me, at club level.

JB: Where are you setting his sights now with the Stars team?

DK: You’ll have a core of players but next year please God, you’ll be looking to improve. It will have some players who would be here (and some) who wouldn’t be here. I’ll have to sit down and analyse with the rest of the staff. I’ll want to applaud the staff for a wonderful job. From there we’ll decide where we can add. We’ll need to improve in certain areas.

JB: As a coach, where do you think you have improved from Joe Public to now?

DK: Tactically because, in international football, you have to know your opponent. You have to analyse and you have to know your strengths. Our strength this year was our pace. I analysed that you have to play faster in football if you want to improve at the highest level.

JB: The elder statesmen on the team, like Kerry Baptiste and Theobald, how long do you see them being involved in the team and, by extension, in the Pro League?

DK: Densill is a professional, he keeps himself fit. Kerry Baptiste is one of the natural goal-scorers it have in Trinidad football. When you watch (Devorn) Jorsling, they might be over 30 but I think these guys have the knowledge. It’s good to see these guys still involved to help the young ones. But, at the end of the day, as an older player, you must bring the correct attitude towards the (game). These players have that.

JB: How have North East coped with the financial issues?

DK: I think the finance (problem) really affected the League this year and I’m hoping (whoever) come on board, whether it’s the Ministry (of Sports and Youth Affairs) or corporate sponsors, I’m pleading with you to come on board. We need sponsors. At the end of the day, this is the only way that Trinidad and Tobago football could develop. With the level of football that we’ll get in the Pro League, it has to be of a certain standard so it can help the national team. With North East Stars, to be fair to Darryl Mahabir, we (should) have on board now Ryan Nunes as a co-owner, to help out with the finances.

I think they’re really trying, and they were honest. That played a big part. Right now, no player is being owed salaries and you have to give credit to these guys for their support.

[Deeks]

 Right now, no player is being owed salaries and you have to give credit to these guys for their support.

Nice to see that these players are not in limbo when it comes to their salaries.