Englishman Terry Fenwick will not be on the technical staff of defending League champions when the 2009 season kicks off on May 8 revealed CLICO San Juan Jabloteh chairman Jerry Hospedales this week.
Fenwick’s relationship with Jabloteh had doubt written all over it when the club’s chief sponsor CLICO filed bankruptcy earlier this year—and subsequently led the a budget cut in sponsorship monies to the 2007 and 2008 back-to-back League winners.
“Fenwick’s involvement with Jabloteh was a direct initiative by CLICO and Lawrence Duprey to equip the club with an international coach and develop Jabloteh to the standard that we are at.
“However this is no longer applicable. He (Fenwick) is not getting small money. It was a UK income and we, Jabloteh, can’t facilitate that,” continued the Jabloteh chairman.
Hospedales further explained that Fenwick will be missed at the club adding, “He has been extremely good to us. He brought a high level of discipline and professionalism at the club, winning back to back League titles in the past two years and also guiding the club to international recognition. If only we can find someone to finance his involvement, we will be more than happy to keep him.”
However Jabloteh have not been fortunate in finding a sponsor to cover the salary of the former England international—who in his 7 seasons at the club won three League championships (2003, 2007 and 2008), the FA Trophy (2005), the Courts Pro Browl (2005 and 2006), First Citizens Cup (2003), Toyota Classic (2008) and the Lucozade Sport Big Six. In 2003, Fenwick guided the self-proclaimed Kings of San Juan to regional stardom winning the CFU Club Championship.
Meantime last season’s player/assistant coach Earl Jean has been given the task of coach for the 2009 season. And according to Hospedales, Jean is open to recommend an assistant coach to the board of directors.
With a change in technical staff, following the exit of long-time assistant coach Angus Eve and now the unfortunate position of Terry Fenwick—who has not reported to duty in the past week and a half following months of unpaid salaries—and the exit of a key player Trent Noel, its left to see if Jabloteh can defend their League Championship and remain in top flight.
Hospedales is one man who has the confidence saying that his club will make it three League Championships in a row this season.
“We have always had a good programme and have produced good talents for the past 35 years and we are not looking to change that now,” said the confident Jabloteh boss. “As a matter of fact we are going to successfully defend our League title and make it a three peat.”