Kelvin Jack: T&T football is in shambles; please resign, David John-Williams!

“March is not far away and this disorganisation is unacceptable and quite unprofessional. You give this air of arrogance which is not justified as to date your decisions have inspired zero confidence in yourself and the TTFA…

“Since you took office there has been almost no progress. When will things ever change at the TTFA?”

The following is an open letter to Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams by former Scotland Premier League and World Cup 2006 goalkeeper Kelvin Jack:

Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams (right) smiles with fourth official Cecile Hinds before the First Citizens Bank Cup final between Defence Force and Ma Pau Stars at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 2 December 2016. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams (right) smiles with fourth official Cecile Hinds before the First Citizens Bank Cup final between Defence Force and Ma Pau Stars at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 2 December 2016.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Dear Mr David John-Williams,

I am publicly requesting that you step down as President of the TTFA… As you and the Technical Committee ponder who our next manager will be, our opponents in the Hex are busy planning tactics and are almost certainly tranquil in mood.

I have heard that an announcement is imminent. Let’s hope it’s a sensible one. You and the committee decided that a change of manager was needed but it’s the almost laughable process that has dumbfounded me and hundreds of thousands of others.

You removed one manager, which is part of football, but it seems as though there was absolutely no plan in place to appoint someone capable of doing the job. Myself and the fans are awaiting the next appointment. March is not far away and this disorganisation is unacceptable and quite unprofessional. You give this air of arrogance which is not justified as to date your decisions have inspired zero confidence in yourself and the TTFA.

Mr John-Williams, I am not one who will say the politically correct thing. I also have no need to criticise for criticising sake, as the facts are here for all to see. Since you took office there has been almost no progress.

When will things ever change at the TTFA? It must surely be your mission to ensure the TTFA is respected for its professionalism and success. What is the plan? How are you going to make us better?

Photo: Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick (second from left) is sandwiched by TTFA president David John-Williams (second from right) and TTFA employee Sharon O'Brien (far left) before the CFU Under-17 final on 25 September 2016 at the Ato Boldon Stadium. John-Williams tried unsuccessfully to replace Derrick as CFU president on 23 July 2016. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick (second from left) is sandwiched by TTFA president David John-Williams (second from right) and TTFA employee Sharon O’Brien (far left) before the CFU Under-17 final on 25 September 2016 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
John-Williams tried unsuccessfully to replace Derrick as CFU president on 23 July 2016.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

What tangible programmes are you going to start? Are you working with the Pro League, The Super League, The clubs so that we go forward in unison? What about the youth teams, the future senior players?

Since assuming office, have you presented to the business community and government tangible reasons why they need to invest heavily in football? I would think you probably did but because of your performance thus far I’m not confident in your ability to convince them.

This is quite shambolic and, as someone who would’ve died playing for my country, it’s quite upsetting. I’m not like others who will toe the line because they want a job or want to travel to different places.


You were on radio the other day rambling on and on blaming others. As President, you have not led and if you choose not to resign you must start leading; effectively. This unprofessionalism must cease and the buck stops with you…

Trinidad and Tobago has no God given right to qualify for World Cups but if we do the right things qualifying regularly could be achievable.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams enjoys himself at new head coach Tom Saintfiet's maiden training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on 15 December 2016. (Courtesy Nicholas Williams/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams enjoys himself at new head coach Tom Saintfiet’s maiden training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on 15 December 2016.
(Courtesy Nicholas Williams/Wired868)

Of course my lines are open if you want proper advice, as this shambles is just too much now… Please consider what I’m saying with maturity, as the fans and myself crave professional leadership and a plan for our National Teams.

Respectfully,

Kelvin Jack CM

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About Kelvin Jack

Kelvin Jack is a former Trinidad and Tobago international football team goalkeeper and was first choice at the 2006 Germany World Cup although injury restricted him to one outing against Paraguay. Jack is an ex-San Juan Jabloteh captain and played professionally in the UK with Dundee (Scotland) and Gillingham (England).

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124 comments

  1. The only thing I took away from this thread is that Carlos Lee and Kelvin Jack are two adults who could disagree well….

  2. No way I getting into this lol but I am shocked to see someone defending DJW like this. Guilty on all counts of being an inept leader … yet defended….. mouth open lol

  3. Ok. Well shouldn’t your line of defence be different then Carlos?
    And attacking the messenger (Kelvin Jack in this case) is usually a bad starting point eh.

  4. I thought I already responded point by point to your earlier statement about my errors. Give it a read.

  5. Carlos since you don’t start with facts at all, it is impossible for you to arrive at anywhere worth visiting eh. Because I pointed to several errors in your monologue that you have not revisited.
    Now the fact that you didn’t seize upon those corrections might suggest that you are not seeking knowledge at all but prefer a soapbox in a somewhat isolated cul de sac.
    Just give me a shout when you want a lift to a more enlightened place though. I will be your Uber! 🙂

  6. It has nothing to so with spouses at all. Believe it or not my profession is also based on fact. So I’m well aware of the difference. But to be fair to you. You seem well out of touch with the current topic if you think any decision gone before was objective. Tom Saintfiet? Hart?

    • I’m a fan of Hart. Would have loved for him to be given a chance to turn things around. Nevertheless, I was also fine with him being fired. His record in the last few games justified his firing. The players let him down with their indiscipline. I would say though that if his replacement was the only person available, I would have kept him on.

    • So to use your argument of objectivity. Fire him but no replacement waiting? Does that seem objective to you?

      You still haven’t address your inaccuracies and those weren’t my sentiments. It was by the past Secretary.

      Unfortunately you used the Ole spouse territory. So I guess that applies to those that don’t support your views as well?

      Your own logic applied to fact is mute. It’s actually becoming boring saying the same words in different ways to your “objectivity “. I’ll leave it at that

    • Reyna Kowlessar – I think you misread my comments – “I would say though that if his replacement was the only person available, I would have kept him on.” What I was saying is that if I knew Hart would be replaced with Saintfiet, I would have preferred to keep Hart on instead. As to the Elite Program and Sheldon’s comments I think you need to re-read his comments. Basically Sheldon is saying that DJW was able to convince the NLB to re-activate funding of the TTFA. DJW then took the NLB funding that was previously used by the TTFA for God knows what, and pumped all the money into an Elite Youth Program. You have issues with that? Isn’t that a huge positive for football in TnT?

    • Hey Carlos, yes that would be a huge positive for football. But that’s on the presumption that the funds were actually used for the programme. I know there were trials put on but a lot of misinformation given. So it isn’t off to a positive start.

      Don’t get me wrong and I’ll reiterate my previous post. The hemorrhaging didn’t start recently. But I do think that nothing is being done to slow it. Futher if positives are being talked about. Nothing has really come to fruition post one year and it seems like an avalanche until their credibility is restored.

    • Thought Jamaal did a great job clearing up some of the miscommunication with respect to the Elite Program. I expect that once he gets going leading the program it’ll be done right. Mistakes have been made by DJW and these mistakes are overshadowing his accomplishments. He could do with a good PR rep. Maybe you can lobby for that job.

    • Ha! I’m well worth more than $7,000 US tho

    • Maybe you and Terry can propose a two for one deal. We get a head coach and DJW get’s a PR rep. It’ll be more economical for the TTFA. Lmao – You walked into that one.

    • Not sure how I walked into something when you assume I’d want terry working for the TTFA. Maybe he does 🙂

  7. Reyna Kowlessar – I believe in giving everyone a fair and reasonable chance to fail or succeed. I also believe in objectivity – assess base on facts not on emotions. I think you’ll want me to think the same way if your hubby were to land the head coaching position;-)

  8. Your thoughts and opinions are too ambitious for the TTFA Carlos

  9. ..Carlos means well but doesn’t live here. LOL..

  10. Carlos I’ll leave you to live in your bubble. You base your opinion on an existing manifesto. Every political party has put one out. Do they EVER follow it? You tell me what you’ve based your conclusion on? The past general secretary has posted a fact not opinion that proves one of your points null and void.

    You seem to base a lot on theory and the perfect world senerios but certainly not reality and Trini culture.

  11. Reyna – Have you ever heard about the false-consensus effect? That’s what your finger in the air survey aligns with.

  12. Sancho no faking way. Gally is a better man wit more heart an passion fr dis country and game.

  13. Quit. You. Say. Is. More. Dotishness. In. We. Peffin.

  14. And all yuh vote out timkee? It is he who brought Hart

  15. Wow !! you folks just recognise the oligarchy? ?

  16. He an d whole board should frigging go setta useless niggas only fighting down good ppl…..stupid man Williams steupssss

  17. DJW alone, allyuh never rwally siddong an look closely at de board of directors?

  18. it is clear stephen hart should have never been fired.

  19. DJW running ttfa like Dave cameron at wicb or cricket west indies.

  20. Have been saying that from the very beginning!!! John Williams needs to step down… Ever since his appointment as TTFF president football in TNT has taken a plunge …

  21. I want to kn who are the king makers. Djw was elected, By who? . I want to look them in the eye and say thanks.

  22. Love Jack for doing this but it’ll have no effect on him, he’s proven time and again that he runs things and that’s it. I can’t believe that he doesn’t see what he’s been doing to our football. Unless he — suddenly — goes to therapy he’s gonna be same person he’s always been.

  23. Did Kelvin Jack ever called for Jack Warner to resign ????

  24. Drafting an arrogant letter to chastise a so called arrogant president is a total waste of time. DJW has made some mistakes, but it’s a stretch of the imagination and a reinvention of the facts to say that he’s singlehandedly responsible for all our footballing issues. Since 2006 our game has been in a downward spiral. Yes, DJW and the current administration has yet to slow down or reverse the process, but to expect a reversal of course in a situation that had several years to incubate, in a mere 14 mos, is totally ridiculous. We are fooling ourselves if we believe a leader will come in and by the next day tnt football problems will disappear. While all is not right, and there is significant room for improvement, one must agree that there has been some progress under DJW. One major accomplishment is the publication of the TTFA’s audited financial statements. Many may see that as insignificant, but for years the books were kept secret and cooked up by previous administrators. Now at least we know where our money has been going and what we owe. Another positive has been conceptualization and funding of a program to help develop youth football in tnt. To me that’s a tremendous accomplishment and speaks volume about the new found respect that the government and private sector may be having for the TTFA. I believe the Elite Program was funded to the tune of $8 million dollars by the NLB. That’s a lot of money and done the right way this Elite Program could be the catalyst needed to create a sustainable pipeline of top players for our national teams. Then there’s DJW’s Manifesto. This is likely the first time a president has drafted a strategic plan or road map to plot a way forward. The public now has a way to determine whether or not the president is delivering on what he said he’ll do. We have a way to objectively assess his performance. Let’s take advantage of that. Get a copy – read it – and hold him accountable. Other notable accomplishments include things like the Season Ticket Program and a less antagonistic relationship between the ministry of sports and the TTFA, as well as between the players and the TTFA. I think if we can get the coaching situations right and by some miracle improve the discipline amongst our players, and some more dollars in the coffers, things will start turning around. However, some patience is needed. I’m not saying don’t stop holding DJW’s foot to the fire. Keep holding him accountable, but understand that change can at times be a bit slow.

    • One: do you get points for a manifesto if you don’t follow it?
      Two: there is ample evidence to say it is fantasy that the team was on a downward spiral since 2006.
      Three: the accounting statement offered was for the previous term and not DJW’s and in fact the practice of releasing financial info after each game has stopped.
      Four: the practice of asking a perceived underachieving boss to step down is part of democracy and is done throughout the world.
      Five: you sure can spin bowl. Lol

      • This conversation at this time is not good for our football. Its too late to do anything even if it is waranted…. the call for resignations now is foolish or designed to decimate our football even further.

    • I was reading this and wondering where was Carlos from 2013 to 2015??

    • Lasana – 1) You should get points for developing a strategic plan, especially when none before you developed such. Without one you are sailing aimlessly. All businesses worth their salt have short and long term strategic plans. I assume you also have one for Wire868? If you don’t, you should draft one asap. The accomplishments I mention are all in the manifesto. Give it a read. 2) See Fazeer’s recent Guardian article. Football has been on a downward spiral for years now. We had an upward blip with Hart for a few months, but the overall slope since 2006 was negative. Can’t argue with that. 3) As you know you only audit previous years stuff. DJW’s first year in office ended in 2016. It’s impossible for him to complete an audit on 2016 in the said year and release within the same year. Be reasonable Lasana. 5) Fair point. 6) I’m a medium pacer. I bowl straight, but with good line and length. I doh bowl no balls and ah doh chuck???

      • CL and LL

        Please help me, I do not remember a strategic plan from DJW and the TTFA Board with traditional strategic planning steps inclusive of the budget to achieve the goals and objectives.

        I recall a Manifesto titled “Imperatives for Change” in November 2015 and 6 months later another Manifesto titled “Unity Through Football”. The former for his TTFA Presidential campaign, the latter for his CFU Presidential campaign; both are merely campaign promotional documents NOT strategic plans by any professional sense.

        If said strategic plan(s) exists please share, otherwise lets call these two documents what they are.

    • Lol. Carlos Lee, Fazeer is an excellent columnist. But he is not a football reporter.
      Just two years ago, T&T was ranked higher by FIFA than we were in 2006. In three World Cup campaigns since 2006, we got to the Hex twice. And we got to the Gold Cup quarterfinals twice in the last three years, which is twice as many times as we did before in the history of T&T football.
      So there have been some slumps. But it is wrong to say we were on a downward spiral since 2006. That is a broad brush that I’d expect from someone who isn’t really following closely at al.
      And, yes, I’d hope he produces audit accounts for his own era. But nothing he has done so far suggest a man who invites scrutiny and loves transparency. He has publicly said the opposite.
      But I can see you as a medium pacer in truth! Lol.

    • Carlos, not sure if I agree with you on labelling the letter arrogant if most of the football population in trinidad seems to agree with the sentiments expressed by kevin jack.

      WRT to the elite programme, I think you missed Sheldon Phillips response in another thread regarding the programme
      Hope that helps

    • And Carlos Lee, I don’t know what you’re basing this claim that DJW was the first person to create a manifesto. Did David John-Williams tell you so?
      He didn’t even have the only manifesto in the last election. It’s bizarre that you are claiming he did the first manifesto in the history of T&T football. Smh.

    • Carlos.. when I did the letter I was fully aware that not everyone would not agree with it. Your response is well articulated but it’s clear that we have different standards and expectations, and that’s ok. Manifesto.. it’s a magnificent word and it’s actually a quite hypnotising word. I call it as I see it and no I’m not giving him the benefit of the doubt.. he is not good enough and I very much doubt he can lead Trinidad and Tobago to the next level..

    • Reyna – what stats do you have to say most of the population agree with Kelvin’s statements? Is that your finger in the air survey?

    • It’s called public consumption, reading blogs, newspaper reports, news, websites, having an ear to the ground …. much like the man on the clapham omnibus so to speak…

      I actually quoted in my last response the last Secretary re: elite programme which you were totally inaccurate on. I agree one man cannot be blamed for the TTFA’S failure but this is the worst it’s EVER been by popular opinion.

      The man on the Clapham omnibus is a hypothetical ordinary and reasonable person

    • Carlos I really do think you’re in the extreme minority but you’re entitled to your opinion. Your reasoning do lack bite.. I do hope you’re correct though and DJW can perform something greater than Houdini ever accomplished.. as Trinidad and Tobago football is at stake.. but DJW doesn’t strike me as having Houdini qualities.. not by a long shot.

    • Kelvin – I think you’re right. It says a lot when you’re on a blog where everyone thinks the same way:-)

    • I think that’s not true Carlos. Not everyone here thinks the same way at all. The threads are generally full of disagreements most times but there are some core tenets we all subscribe to:

      1) we want to see our football grow and develop

      2) there are no sacred cows in pursuit of item (1).

    • Deep down, I know Carlos doesn’t believe that. Lol.

    • Kendall – Let’s be honest. When it comes to the subject of DJW there’s little divergence of views on this blog. My preference is for objective discourse. But the focus has and continues to be on the negative. We are on a blame mission and DJW is our current target.

    • Maybe there might be another reason why a lot of people agree on DJW, Carlos. Think about that.
      Will you be mad if everyone here agreed that the TTPS wasn’t doing enough to address the murder rate, for instance?

    • So a question Carlos – Is calling out issues and refusing to allow officials in all areas to perform or leave is playing the blame game? And I do recall that kudos for the financials were given at that time from these same ppl here.

      But here’s the rub – those are things that are supposed to be happening as a matter of routine. There’s a limit to how much leeway you’re going to get in any field of endeavour by doing the basics.

    • Not at all Kendall. If as you say we are all interested in the growth and development of football, then let’s have objective discourse. If our leaders err, let’s call them out. Let’s hold them accountable. If on the other hand they do something good, something that is beneficial to the game, then let’s not hesitate to give them an attaboy. Let’s have some balanced discussions. Let’s also give them a fair chance to fail or succeed.

    • By the same token, if the actions taken have no chance of success – like hiring the last coach and neutering him from the start – we won’t stand by and pretend it’s ok.

      The stunning gap in experience between the men and women’s coach was glaring. Saying he’s second choice and will be fired if results don’t improve immediately at the press conference to introduce the coach can’t possibly be acceptable.

    • Kendall Tull – I hear you. No disagreement there. That was a very very poor decision by the Technical Committee and by DJW. Not sure what they were thinking. And DJW’s comments at the press conference where the new coach was being introduced was highly unprofessional and inappropriate. Hopefully he and the Technical Committee have both learned from that recent fiasco.

    • We can but hope Carlos although I think I recall someone supporting what was said.

  25. ..Pleas, prayers and petitions. Useless. Resign? LOL..

  26. Shotssss firedddd! DJW tek that in yuh arrogant pipe and smoke! Kelvin Jack that was a boss forqqqqq up. Man say u arrogant and can’t back it up yea!!

  27. I agree 100%…that will be our only hope…his entire board must do the same.. doesnt make sense if one of his minions replace him either

  28. Perhaps a national petition would cause s shake up.

  29. This is alot bigger than we think, remember FIFA controls all football all over this planet, they can make you or break you, at the end of the day it’s all about money and supremacy.

  30. He’s already said that his stewardship of the TTFA will be vindicated at the end of his tenure because the TTFA would be in a better place. And that’s the legacy he’s looking to leave, even if we don’t qualify for the next world cup.

  31. I know that will never happen in this lifetime

  32. Not he….. take it from the back T&T or in the face

  33. RESIGN!!! The epitomy of incompetence!!

  34. Eric Williams, Kelvin, used to pull his hearing aid out of his ear when he wanted to signal that what he was hearing was not to his liking.

    John-Williams has no visible hearing aid but I imagine him metaphorically doing the same as Eric the moment anyone starts to make the noise that you are making here.

    But doesn’t the old adage tell us that there are none so deaf as those who WILL NOT hear?

  35. Taking over when TT was ranked 52. Stated that his primary objective was to get us under #50, as that would allow us to have access to better quality friendly games. So, if today we are 30 places lower, the honourable thing would be to resign. That is if he was honest and had an ounce of integrity. Ah sooo shame for him.

  36. I gave up on this man long to time now and he’s too arrogant to take anyone’s advice except maybe Shabazz’s.

  37. Those guys egos are too big to resign. Plus who can force him, no one. We just have to suffer the consequences of his ineptitude

  38. I’m glad people and ex-players alike are seeing the same thing I’m seeing. Let’s get DJW and his Ruby Tuesday belly out of here. Get Hart back and have someone who will give him the support he needs. If it were me to choose, I’d let Sancho run the TTFA.

  39. Hmmm…..I don’t know! Somehow he doesn’t have a resigned expression yet!

    • Oh yes he does! A man resigned to carry the TTFA into the ground against the wishes of the vast majority of those who follow national football.

      A man resigned to hold on to office in the face of massive unpopularity.

      A man resigned to accepting the resignation of multiple coaches who decline – not to say refuse – to do his bidding.

      A man determined to re-sign on the dotted line a score of times before he is forced to resign.

      So there!

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