The Sangre Grande-based North East Stars will not participate in the T&T Professional Football League for the 2009 season.
Efforts to reach North East Stars owner/manager Darryl Mahabir proved futile. North East Stars has been one of the most promising clubs in the Pro League. They won the 2003 FA Trophy, the 2004 Pro League Championship and most recently, finished third in the League after being anchored at the bottom of the table at the start of the season. In an interview on the T&T Pro League official Web site last week, Mahabir raised fears that his club would not be part of the 2009 season. Among the reasons he cited were financial strains and the deterioration of the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground—its home venue—which was being neglected by the Sangre Grande Borough Corporation.
North East Stars first entered the Professional League in 2002 and had the opportunity to sign players such as Jerron Nixon, Stokley Mason, Marvin Oliver, Kendall Jagdeosingh, Leslie Fitzpatrick and World Cup players Anthony Wolfe and Brent Sancho. In 2006, the Stars employed T&T legend Everald “Gally” Cummings as coach on a short stint. Current coach Miguel Hackett explained that he is hoping for the best. “I’ve heard that Darryl is pulling out and that he will be focusing more on his businesses,” he told the Guardian. “But he has been saying this every year. I heard that some...well most players have already received their release forms but all this is just what I’ve heard from people. I am yet to receive anything official.”
Hackett further said that some of the players of last season, headed by former US-based forward Kevin Jeffrey, were currently in talks with Mahabir on taking charge of the club and keeping it alive. “I will give it till next week and then contact Darryl on the matter. I think the December hustle dealing with his businesses and having to put aside time for the club was frustrating, so I’m giving it time to wear off. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with results. We finished third under my charge after the team finished the first round third from the bottom. I am contracted until the end of 2009, so I’m hoping that things are resolved and Darryl changes his mind,” ended the former national player.