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Central FC—now re-christened the ‘Hydrotech Central FC’—have undergone another revamp of their roster for the purpose of the Caribbean Club Championship. There are 13 new faces for the 2018 tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the CONCACAF Champions League and Second Tier League competitions.
Former Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2006 midfielder Densill Theobald and full-back Jameel Neptune have both joined the “Couva Sharks” from 2017 Pro League champions North East Stars while the Club Sando duo of Tyrone Charles and Trevin Latapy and San Juan Jabloteh winger Nathan Lewis will also wear Central’s colours.
Phillip will also represent Jabloteh in 2017.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
Among the other inclusions are the World Cup 2006 pair of Cornell Glen and Anthony Wolfe, former Sharks players Keron Cummings, Darren Mitchell and Javon Sample, Trinidad and Tobago international defender Carlyle Mitchell and Trinity College (Moka) midfielder Saleem Henry, who represented FC Santa Rosa in the TTSL last season.
Mitchell will captain the squad—which leaves for the Dominican Republic today—while Theobald was listed as vice-captain.
Wired868 understands that the players were given short-term contracts, which expire this month. Almost certainly, several of the current Central squad will line up with other clubs once the Pro League kicks off on an unspecified date in April and will effectively operate as rentals.
It is the second successive season that the Sharks have tried to take advantage of the different start dates of the regional and local competitions by using players in the Caribbean competition who have not worn their colours in the Pro League and probably never will.
Last year, Central added 12 foreign players to their roster from Europe, Africa and other Caribbean nations. However, they failed to defend their regional title or qualify for the Champions League while several foreigners complained that they were not paid.
Smith, a United States citizen, took a three-week contract for Central and never played a Pro League match.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
The Sharks, who had a mid-table finish last season during which they sometimes could not field a full squad, qualify for the Caribbean tournament owing to their title success in the 2016/17 season. This year, they have modified their approach by selecting known commodities, including several past players.
The Pro League’s precarious financial situation and local clubs’ habit of not paying players during pre-season meant that Central were able to put together a talented cast, despite director Brent Sancho’s reputation for not settling his debts.
A notable absentee from the touring party is Central midfielder Sean De Silva along with former players Johan Peltier, Jem Gordon, Akel Clarke, Stephon Seepersad and Sean Bateau.
Wired868 understands that several of the members of that sextet will only suit up for the Sharks in the future when some concrete moves are made to clear off outstanding arrears.
Central open their Group B Caribbean Club Championship campaign against Jamaica’s Portmore United FC from 6pm on Wednesday at the Estadio Cibao in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Two teams from that group—which also includes Atlantico FC (Dominican Republic) and Racing FC (Haiti)—will advance to the semifinal round of the Caribbean tournament.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
The Central staff is led by head coach Stern John, who took over the squad last season after the departure of Dale Saunders, and also includes Walt Noriega (assistant coach), Denise Govia (team manager), Saron Joseph (trainer) and Esmond O’Brien (equipment manager).
W Connection are the other Pro League representative in the regional competition and need a result to advance today when they tackle Dominican Republic’s Club Atlético Pantoja from 8pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Connection have been far less aggressive in the transfer window with Jabloteh and Grenada international utility player Kennedy Hinkson and former Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team stand-outs Kadeem Corbin, Akeem Garcia and Kevon Goddard as their only notable signings.
Garcia and Goddard are both former Connection players who won the Pro League title with North East Stars last season.
North East Stars won 3-2.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
(Central FC)
Goalkeepers: 1.Javon Sample, 30.Montel Joseph;
Defenders: 3.Tyrik John, 5.Carlyle Mitchell (captain), 26.Trevin Latapy, 12.Taryk Sampson, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 17.Anthony Wolfe, 22.Jameel Neptune;
Midfielders: 13.Rhondel Gibson, 24.Jules Lee, 18.Densill Theobald (vice-captain), 29.Jesse Joseph, 7.Saleem Henry, 27.Nathan Lewis, 9.Tyrone Charles, 10.Keron Cummings, 11.Darren Mitchell;
Forwards: 8.Cornell Glen, 19.Jason Marcano.
(W Connection)
Goalkeepers: 18.Julani Archibald, 33.Jason Belfon;
Defenders: 16.Alvin Jones (captain), 5.Triston Hodge, 15.Jesus Perez, 2.Kurt Frederick, 26.Isaiah Garcia, 21.Ronell Paul, 30.Shaquille John;
Midfielders: 3.Gerard Williams, 6.Kevon Goddard, 8.Jameel Antoine, 19.Briel Thomas, 23.Kennedy Hinkson;
Forwards: 10.Dimitri Apai, 14.Quinn Rodney, 99.Marcus Joseph, 7.Akeem Garcia, 9.Kadeem Corbin, 17.Jevaughn Humphrey.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/CA-Images/Wired868)
Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship 2018
Group A
(Sunday 4 February)
Arnett Gardens FC v Real Hope Football Academy, 5pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection FC v Club Atlético Pantoja, 8pm, Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Friday 2 February)
Real Hope Football Academy 0, Club Atlético Pantoja 3 (Luis Espinal 35, Armando Maita 40, 59) at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 2 (Marcus Joseph 2, 13), Arnett Gardens 1 (Fabien Reid 61) at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Wednesday 31 January)
Club Atlético Pantoja 0 vs Arnett Gardens 0 at Ato Boldon Stadium;
W Connection 0, Real Hope Football Academy 1 (Jeudy Johnson 2) at Ato Boldon Stadium.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
(Group B)
(Wednesday 7 February)
Central FC vs Portmore United FC, 6pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic;
Atlantico FC vs Racing FC, 9pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic.
(Friday 9 February)
Racing FC vs Central FC, 6pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic;
Atlantico FC vs Portmore United FC, 9pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic.
(Sunday 11 February)
Portmore United FC vs Racing FC, 6pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic;
Atlantico FC vs Central FC, 9pm, Estadio Cibao, Dominican Republic.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
..Note that the “semi-professionals” of Jamaica have again bested the Trini “professionals”..
FULL-TIME: Central FC 0-2 Portmore United.
Leh meh guess the promises of mucho monies and to be seen playing in the Club Championship by the scouts of real professional teams eh Them really good yes
It would have been nice to hear from some of the veteran players lie Glen, Mitchell, Theobald etc. regarding their reason(s) for taking up this short-term contract.
I thought Cornell and Stern not really friends so I surprised. Unless he figure he will be in the shopping window regionally
Who say you have to be friends to play on the same team?
Well is his boss now, not his teammate so I saying he hadda have reasons to go there. I hope he know it they eh pay a man like Carlos, what to expect
Well Stern know Cornell is one of the best around now even if he past his peak. If he wants to compete he has to get quality. Friend ting is why we national teams is such shit now anyway. Plus a signed contract is a signed contract sooner or later you will have to pay and Cornell been around long enough to take his ass to court if need be …
Clubs don’t pay salaries in pre-season. So it is one way to get some extra money before the season starts.
There isn’t even a start date for the Pro League yet, so local players don’t know when the next cheque is coming.
With the way things have gone, payment eh necessary guaranteed for this project either.
Nope. But apparently HydroTech are underwriting costs. Will provide update on that tomorrow or Wednesday.
I fee l hydrotech partnering up is a good thing but Sancho still in charge …not so much
Getting companies like them and ngc onboard would be a great idea
Ah wonder if this thing will turn into a bacchanal if/when de fellas get paid for this short-term contract, but the players and staff from last season remain unpaid?
Is hydrotech taking on those debts as a sponsor? The company is still Central FC …hydrotech is simply a sponsor not sure if they’re gonna be responsible for that. Nigel S. Scott any thoughts on this??
If contract mean money guarantee in t&t football, Lasana could let me know if the national team get money from since Stephen Hart days yet. Far less the various Central Fc players over the past couple seasons
Mr Bor Bor that is because it seems that our sweet country have their own FIFA rules and thanks to the corrupted TTFA and a matter of fact you cannot compare that semi pro league to a real professional league eh so I hope that you and others understand why ah does call everything bootleg eh in our sweet country Them was really good yes
But Lasana Liburd sumthing like this happen some yrs ago in our local league where the top four teams where in a big four and was allowed to use players from other teams Kerry Franklyn played with QPCC Dwight Elliott played with police that year and And they both played with Defence force I don’t kno if you could recall that
I was with police too bor bor QPCC had already been dismantle
That was just an invitational tournament.
..It could always get worse. The pit has no bottom. I agree we need a collective approach to solutions..
Sigh. Well it is what it is. All stakeholders have to pull together and pick up the pieces. Cause it cant get any worse thats the good news. Lets see how central’s band of mercenaries fare
Cornell Glen just keeps kicking on
Save it for your wedding
By the way which team lost 3-0 Mr. Live Wire?
Central FC up next with the borrowed players
Well as you see I have been saving meh strength for a very long time now eh. Them really good yes.
mango I told you save your strength brother
We have Borfor Carr in the conversation, he should reveal how he was treated at central
Lewwe concentrate on Carnival yes. Iwer, Machel, Patrice …
Mama we reach d savannah
It’s over. We lost 3-0.
We blight in everything ….
..I called it as I saw it bro. Although the drew their opening match 0:0 they looked the most dangerous team in the tournament..
I find Look Loy put goat mouth on W Connection. Since de tournament start he only talking about de Dominican Republic side. Plus he still waiting on DJW and dem to answer all he questions about how de TTFA does run tings.
3-0 to Pantoja…
..And the league was founded in 2014. Sigh..
..Precisely. Real Madrid has a team in it..
The league is well funded with solid sponsors
..This is Dominicana club, with a squad almost entirely of Dominicana players. Dominicana is a “baseball country”. They won the last CFU club title. Evidently, their league is better than ours. In a “baseball country”..
..No. Atletico Pantoja already has four points and first place. A draw will give them the first place berth but I don’t see how WC pulls off a win. I said AP is a dangerous team..
Two teams advance Keith and the tie breaker is head to head and not goal difference. So Connection only need a draw. Whether they can get it is another story.
..Yes, but if they draw AP Will have five points and WC will have four..
And Connection will qualify second Keith. They will have same number of points as Arnett Gardens but a better head to head with the Jamaican team.
..OK. I hear you. But I not talking about qualifying. I talking about winning the group, about not winning any tournaments we host, and about coming second at home to a team from a “baseball country”..
Lol. We do well to come second. Right now we are bottom of the group!
Travis Mulraine, Connection trail 2-0 after just 32 minutes. Connection only need a draw to advance.
Las imagine if the epl had rules where players could sign short term contracts for tournaments lol ..burrow ah Messi and ah Van dyke and kick Man U’s ass lol
Yeah. The EPL starts before La Liga, so sign Messi for the first three games. And then during winter break you could take a borrow again.
Madness!
Lol
Hard to be committed to Central’s success under those circumstances. You can’t even put your foot into a 50/50 and be sure your employers have your back.
Do their parent clubs get money for their players service????and what if a player gets injured in this tournament who takes care of him???
Great question. You now the answer from experience
..Our football is a hustle. At every level. A hustle..
Yeah
Hmmmm Lasana Liburd is it fear to the other clubs???
But it couldn’t happen if the other clubs were being fair to their players.
Hmmm
It is an epidemic of unfair treatment meted out to players.
Could a player do this is he was on a 3 – 4 year contract.
No he would have to stay and develop his game. but which club is willing to show you that trust? Which club believes in you. If every single year I am out of a job for the off-season despite my performance, why would I be obligated?
Players do not even get a full year contract, it is from the season start date to end date.
Well I also heard that he actually is involved with North East stars as there is the new owners and the winning Coach Derek Terron King was fired but I told the person nah man Central was just borrowing some of their players for the Club Championship eh
Didn’t they win the title last season?
Yep.
Rough times indeed
Is Sancho still with this club? Thought I was hearing whisperings that he wouldnt be there if they got the hydrotech sponsorship
No. He is still in charge at Central.
Oh ….urghhhh 🙁
What ia the name if the champions from last yr, is it Atlantico?
No. Cibao FC. And remarkably they didn’t even qualify from the two Dominican Republic clubs it seems.
Hmm. Is that a reflection of the strength of the dominican domestic game?
Well we will know this evening when one of their clubs play Connection. If WCFC can’t get a result, it might show trinidad football is in even more trouble than we thought.
Hmmm. Well i think we are in a position similar to the period before the pro league where the service teams in particular Defence Force dominated because they offered job security. We ll have to see if the pro league survives
But then none of the other regional leagues had anything better in place. Things have changed.
The TT Pro League shows here no control over this nonsense, temporary transfers, what a joke. There are players that have to Club hop annually just to make a dollar.
Players ran to this Club hoping what????
Brent is going to pay you, all of a sudden he and his sidekick will start to be fair with wages?
To travel and play a couple of games?? Players have to hold some responsibility for their own situation also.
Well I read Mr Live Wire story where it was stated that they have new sponsors on board and since I have been told that the ex sports minister have been attending church in Diego Martin maybe he finally seen the light and he is going to stop exploiting the players so we shall just wait and see Them really good yes
The light at the ATM machine
LoL. Earl Mango Pierre i like that
And just imagine that I have been pushing for the Players Association to be up and running in our sweet country to defend our players rights and here it is these same senior players continues to play for the most corrupted professional team in the league it is ah good thing that I listened to meh friend Dion Sosa about these set ah players in our sweet country eh they all are really gluttons for the continuing punishment Them really good yes
Central FC showed they had no model to place to be a club that can sustain itself especially a club known to not pay and have serious outstanding debts…. like many other clubs in Trinidad and Tobago what is the long term goal. Solely dependent on government handouts when is it gonna change? Absolutely fed up of seeing the same thing over and over!!!
It shows gross mismanagement, when for you actually won he league twice, and now have 0 players to play for you. It shows how badly you treated those you had, and others running to play for you have just endorsed the ill-treatment of those gone, and those to come.
It shows no sense in planning, and using your past performances and success to ensure a future, this is a direct reflection of the League. One has to remember that League decisions are made by these same Club owners. So that is the mentality of running the league and its management.
Sad that our sports (because it seems that all of them suffer from this great lack of sight, hindsight and foresight in bringing development. And anything that is not developing, not growing, is actually dying or dead.
So how dat does work with the players from other Pro League sides? Are they all out of contract? Is it a short-term loan on their part?
Few, if any teams have players on more than a 1 year contract.
Makes you wonder what kinda of pre-season teams like North East Stars, San Juan Jabloteh and Club Sando are having eh? When their best players are with other clubs.
It shows that there is no Team in these clubs, is just an organized sweat for money. No better than the so-called bandit leagues.
You cannot be preparing without some of the better players, the mindset of the younger players will become infected.
This is BS
Makes no sense, holds back and forward movement of our football and shows the true mindset of Club owners and players.