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The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division’s relegation battle looks set to be reopened with St Augustine Secondary and, now, San Juan North Secondary both getting fresh hope to beat the drop.
At present, both East Zone schools are in the bottom three of the 16-team standings and due for demotion to the East Championship Division.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
However, Wired868 was reliably informed that St Augustine are set to receive a fight chance from the SSFL’s Disciplinary Committee—after initially forfeiting the “Green Machine” for their failure to show at a scheduled then rescheduled contest away to Signal Hill Secondary.
St Augustine appealed the decision to award Signal Hill three points and as many goals for their non-appearance and won, with a caveat. The Appeal Committee ruled that the Disciplinary Committee, which was improperly constructed for its first decision, must re-hear the matter.
Wired868 understands the Disciplinary Committee, which comprises chairman Essiel Seecharan, Laurence Seepersad and Gerald Elliot, reversed its initial stance and is now willing to allow St Augustine a third chance to face Signal Hill.
Should St Augustine get a draw at Signal Hill, they will climb to 12th place with Malick Secondary falling into the relegation zone instead.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
And San Juan North are not necessarily out for the count either.
Yesterday, the “San Juan Kings” lost 1-0 to Scarborough Secondary in what should have been a decisive relegation scrap in Shaw Park. As a result, Scarborough are now 11th while San Juan North are second from bottom in 15th place.
However, Scarborough fielded a midfielder, Johan Elliot, who represented Eagles FC in a Tobago Football Association (TFA) Premier Division contest on Sunday 7 December.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Article 16.4 (a) and (b) of the SSFL Constitution states:
- A player shall not play in another Trinidad and Tobago Football Association affiliated league after one’s first game in the Secondary Schools Football League. Failure to abide by the rule will result in the loss of points for each game the player takes the field.
- Any registered player(s) of the League who registers and/or plays with the TTFA or with another league or association affiliated to the TTFA, shall immediately lose their registration with the league for the remainder of the season.
San Juan North have lodged a protest against Scarborough’s use of Elliot, which, if successful, would see them switch spots with 11th placed Scarborough. And the latter school would be relegated.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
At present, Tobago are set for a historic three schools in the 2026 Premier Division competition, with Signal Hill and newly promoted Speyside Secondary already sure of their spots.
But that privilege is now in doubt, due to Elliot’s dual commitments between club and school.
Signal Hill, on paper, might have little to play for when they face St Augustine.
The Tobago outfit dropped from third to fifth, after the Disciplinary Committee’s initial ruling was squashed.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Are coach Downie Marcelle’s troops as motivated to finish third as coach Tacuma Jones’ Green Machine are to stay in the top flight?
However, there have been some frayed nerves from the Signal Hill camp, in relation to the rescheduled game.
The Tobago school claimed to have spent $7,500 on meals, over a three-day period, in preparation for their game against St Augustine on 17 November, only for the East Zone team to miss the affair.
Signal Hill subsequently wrote to St Augustine principal Nechole Seemongal and insisted they will not play them unless they are reimbursed.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
If they stick to their guns, it presents another potential issue for the Merere Gonzales-led SSFL executive—as they try to put the 2025 season to bed.
At present, 14 of the 16 participants for the 2026 Premier Division season are confirmed. Two from Scarborough, Malick, St Augustine and San Juan North will join them.
2026 Premier Division schools (grouped by zone)
South: Naparima College (defending champions), Presentation College (San Fernando), St Benedict’s College.
North: Fatima College, Queen’s Royal College, St Anthony’s College, St Mary’s College, Trinity College (Moka), Mucurapo West Secondary.
Tobago: Signal Hill Secondary, Speyside Secondary.
East: Arima North Secondary, Trinity College East, Hillview College.
2025 Premier Division
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Naparima | 15 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 42 | 8 | 34 | 37 |
| 2 |  St Benedict's | 15 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 13 | 32 | 36 |
| 3 |  Presentation | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 40 | 11 | 29 | 34 |
| 4 |  Fatima | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 48 | 24 | 24 | 32 |
| 5 |  Signal Hill | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 45 | 17 | 28 | 31 |
| 6 |  St Anthony's | 15 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 25 |
| 7 |  Trinity Moka | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 23 |
| 8 |  Arima North | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 34 | 27 | 7 | 22 |
| 9 |  QRC | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 19 |
| 10 |  St Mary's | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 18 |
| 11 |  Scarborough Sec | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 36 | -17 | 14 |
| 12 |  Trinity East | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 21 | 55 | -34 | 13 |
| 13 |  Malick | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 12 |
| 14 |  St Augustine | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 43 | -27 | 12 |
| 15 |  San Juan | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 27 | -5 | 11 |
| 16 |  Carapichaima | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 72 | -65 | 0 |
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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.
