Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
DIRECTV W Connection president and CEO David John-Williams has announced his intention to run for the post of Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 November 2015.
Williams, who is also the vice-chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, revealed his stance via press release tonight. He was not available to face questions on his decision or what it might mean for his role at Connection if he were successful.
Connection is the most successful club of Trinidad and Tobago’s Pro League era.
However, in the release, Williams stated that he wanted to “make a significant difference in local football” and felt his experience and leadership “could be a transformation in the fortunes of Trinidad and Tobago Football.”
“I never came into professional football with the aspiration of taking administrative leadership of the local governing body,” stated Williams, “but having been approached by many colleagues in the football fraternity, I decided to offer myself for service.”
Williams’ declaration could mean the first contest for the local football presidency in over two decades.
Incumbent boss Raymond Tim Kee, who is also the Port of Spain Mayor and PNM Treasurer, has not openly announced his decision to seek re-election but is believed to have done so privately.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Tim Kee was appointed as football president, unopposed, in November 2012 after former boss, Oliver Camps, quit after being implicated by FIFA in the Mohamed Bin Hammam bribery scandal and Colin Murray, the Carib Brewery marketing manager, cancelled his own short-lived nomination.
Ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner subsequently took credit for Tim Kee’s ascension, although the latter figure, who served as vice-president in a Warner-led football body for around two decades, denied the assertion.
Tim Kee’s presidency has been a roller-coaster ride with administrative controversies but also successes on the field.
The “Soca Warriors” qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament within a month of Tim Kee’s presidency, after he appointed Jamaal Shabazz to serve as co-head coach with Hutson “Barber” Charles. And then, under current coach Stephen Hart, the Warriors were quarterfinalists in successive Gold Cups.
The “Women Soca Warriors” also became Caribbean champions and came within minutes of a historic Canada 2015 World Cup berth under American coach Randy Waldrum.
At right is defender Rhea Belgrave.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
However, the list of administrative bungles was even longer and includes—but is not limited to—a mysterious TT$400,000 licensing fee allegedly collected by TTFA marketing official Darren Millien which is under police investigation, the departure of the Senior Women’s Team to a pre-CONCACAF camp with just US$500, the cock-up of a fund raising venture for now deceased footballer Akeem Adams, the suspension of FIFA funding due to an inability to satisfy accounting criteria and, most of all, a longstanding inability to raise financial support for corporate Trinidad and Tobago.
Williams now believes that he can do a better job than Tim Kee. On November 29, the TTFA’s clubs, affiliated leagues and zonal representatives will decide.
New Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron “Bo” Edwards is set to be installed as technical and development Read more
Kieron “Bo” Edwards is the new president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). Edwards, the Eastern Football Association Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has confirmed its list of candidates for the Saturday 13 April Extraordinary Congress, Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence Marcelle and his club, Toda-World Read more
It turns out that the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team were not the only party unprepared for last Read more
“[…] I have no problem with Angus Eve being given an extension. Clearly, he may have had to work the Read more
Smh…lol
anthony harford is the best man for the job cause he will be unbiased and fair and with no personal agenda like I have been saying about our last sports minister these crooks take public office with a agenda to boost themselves and their clubs so it would be better if a neutral would be in charge
Best for the job
Well true lasana…sometimes we all have our teams or choices in players for some reason or the other but my conversations… about hart being replaced or preference for another person never came up iam sure about that and with little resources ,the team is doing themselves justice…he needs more support. .he is working on one leg and doing well….hope iam not wrong …
I will have to ask him about that Earl Jean. I get from what a poster said that David had criticised Stephen Hart about his team selection.
I didn’t see it myself to see whether he merely disagree on a pick or two or if he felt Hart wasn’t doing a good job.
Either way, Williams would have to address that sooner or later.
Sent it on the wrong one…was just trying put some mischief right…
Hope so…lol
Sure you on the correct thread Earl Jean?
An Independent is in order. It cannot be same ole, same ole.
Someone is trying to make mischief. ..never heard that hart is dislike and sure there is no truth to a replacement. ..come on the man needs the tools to continue what he is doing….smh
was waiting for the opportunist to come out the woodwork!! This Selby Browne more to come!!
frommy limited contact with him: he’s got great ideas and a lot of energy.
can he apply it to the rotted foundations of TTFA without losing momentum? can he survive the REST of the toxic people who silently supported decades of corrupt and ineffective management structure without losing his enthusiasm?
Nah if is so let Tim Kee stay in charge sorry David thanks but no thanks
I remember David from Naps. His attitude is the same, greed for excellence, to be better stronger….., theme from six million dollar man, I believe he would be at the top of the game
Noel Bascombe I like how evasive you are being.. answer the question.. and stop wasting people’s time here.. what is David’s views on Hart. . David came off like a jealous local who feels he can do better than Hart..hence the reason local football has been in such a mess
I don’t know about the jealous local bit. But I will ask him for his view on Hart when I catch up with him.
Lasana Liburd Never heard of it either – seems a very callous accusation to say the least..
Well, it can be difficult to divorce yourself from your day job. But the TTFA position is a great opportunity for someone to shape our path forward.
So David might already have ideas to deal with that issue and fully focus on the local football business.
There will always be doubts and Brent Sancho is one example of someone who paid only lip service to avoiding conflicts of interest but was scheming behind the scenes.
Hopefully, David will address the matter head on soon and give us an idea of his thoughts on that.
David is a hands-on person when it comes to sport ,with excellent attributes of honesty,fair play and vision.
Lasana it will definitely be a conflict of interest if Mr. Williams is to get that post, believe me as you my already know we don’t need that type of cabalistic behaviour anymore, honestly I see someone as yourself or another independent individual in this post.
I think u need to move away from personalities an talk about issues.
Noel Bascombe so what is David thoughts on Hart as head coach …
David heart is so big an he is very charitable , he is not hand to mouth person , he is head of his buisness, but hear this raymond timkee is a good buisness man to but he around since with jack warner a man who was in fifa for some 30 yrs but tell me where is the national football academy , he had access to the latest technology from fifa , the advantage with david is he is accustom to making sure that things is in place for the organisation b it footballer the club or company .
I’m not disputing the man’s record .. I’m worried he will sabotage our football for his own selfish agenda
Jus look at his record
Yes
Noel Bascombe you realize he came out and said he doesn’t support hart…
Its time for change. ….the administration of football needs to be more professional …..its time to take football to the next level. …good luck trindad and Tobago a football deserves more respect around the region. ..
Yes the results are coming along on the field now its to transform everything off the field. ….youth football, women’s football …its time
Credit to Mr. Williams for raising the bar on pro football!!! But agree with the potential conflicts. Under another individual, TTFA & Joe Public funds became co-mingled..uniforms, some player/staff salaries, equipment etc. The belief in doing good can often blur the lines of ethic & fairness.
Gino u d…
He wants to get rid of Hart.. He does not have support.. Anybody but him
Nonsense. …why get rid of hart…smh isnt the man doing his job
Quite right Hannibal Najjar but also most successful businessmen wear many hats,quite rightfully some ventures would be neglected but it would not be the owenership of his club and Trinidad and Tobago football.
Time for a Truly new regime. Best Wishes David
You have my Support
Go for it pal
Have my support jus cal for anything u need support for
Yep he have my support
Hmmmmm I think he’s to arrogant and bias! Nothing saying that Tim Kee is the cream of the crop but this guy has a disgusting attitude at times.
My biggest concern is the potential conflict of interest arising out of his ownership of W-Connection.
I guess this would be everyone’s biggest concern since on face value what he has down with W Connection makes as good a candidate one can ask for.
But i wonder does FIFA have any specific rules stating that you can’t be a president of a federation and own a football club?
I don’t know of any such examples like this in the elite football world- closest sort of example of being involved with a national federation and a club i can think of his the case of David Gill who was Alex Ferguson’s CEO at Manchester United – while also a vice-chairman of the England FA for many years.
He seemed to have done both job without anyone ever accusing him of serious conflict of interests Lasana Liburd
As coaches, we know that after training and preparation, and even during those times, the best component to assist the team rise to its max is, good competition – David John-Williams brings that to the table. My worry will be the same as it was with Jack Warner and following and now, Tim Kee, holding multiple key positions simultaneously – one can mind several children in the same house, but when scattered in different locations and, with the craziness of life and today’s “traffic”, the dutifulness to each shall wane.
Dear Lasana
Thank you for the news of this formal announcement.
What is truly needed is “To restore TT Football to the prestigious Concacaf recognition, reputation and standing, enjoyed prior to the Jack Warner era.
Unfortunately the question of David’s candidacy for President is a conflict of interest, as both part of the present administration for football in TT and as a personal team owner, similar to Warner and his Joe Public.
Thanks to the Government of the USA the FIFA House of Shame in Zurich is being properly cleaned, and so to must the TTFF/TTFA.
As a former footballer, coach and football administrator in the Caribbean, and team owner of the Trinidad and Tobago Soccer Professional Pioneers (Pro Pioneers) who withdrew from the direction of the Warner TT Football Cabal, I have invited several competent persons from Clubs, Leagues and Associations throughout TT to join with me to restore TT Football to its glorious past. This action is not restricted to the formation of a new National Football Body in TT.
It is my personal view that an immediate priority, prior to the AGM must be a special Congress to address the bungles you have listed, in particular the Audited Financial Statements to 2014, Budget Estimates and Revenue secured for the 2016-18 period, along with acceptance or rejection of the draft Constitution, based on which the AGM would have the proper status to be called.
Selby Browne
Wish you all the best David.
The success of W Connection over the years speaks volumes of those in charge of that club.
Good for you David!
Will we go back to the golden days when it was all about the LOVE for football?!
Jerron look the boss for president
Where do i vote
Lol…
Your support is appreciated. ..we need some new vibes for the football. ..better professionalism. ..
We supporting Williams all d way….doubt we will get to vote…..lol
Lol
As coaches we know that after training and preparation, and even during those times, the best component to assist the team rise to its max is, good competition – David John-Williams brings that to the table. My worry will be the same as it was with Jack Warner and following and now, Tim Kee, holding multiple key positions simultaneously – one can mind several children in the same house, but when scattered in different locations and, with the craziness of life and today’s “traffic”, the dutifulness to each shall wane.
TTFA president is not a compensated position, so by default office holders must also have a separate simultaneous stream of income, if not employment.
One candidate we know genuinely cares about football 🙂
long overdue announcement
Well, let’s see how this plays out. By the way, what’s Oliver Camps out to, lately?
I have no idea. He was pleading for his house the last time. Of course he willingly signed up for all of Jack Warner’s schemes and then ended up with his assets exposed.
Oh my… sorry to hear that. Thanks
Good for you man. Cheers
Most interesting development indeed! What the TTFA may gain through Williams’ astute management skills as President can be far reaching and progressive. I just hope that he does the full divestment of all interest in W Connection should he be successful. Don’t want the ghost of Brent Sancho and his neverance-severance from Central FC to haunt him!!!!!!!!
I’m curious as to why you continue to misrepresent this as a “licensing fee.” The only person who asserts the existence of this mysterious “licensing fee” is David Atiba Charles, who coincidentally (or not) is the last person who by any objective examination was in actual possession of the missing funds. The verifiable trail ends with him, also the source of the fanciful “Black Mercedes-Benz in the Movie Towne parking lot” story. Yet for some reason you stand by Charles’ version of the story. Why is that?
Bakes, your previous comment was edited because it referred to an error in the “licensing fee” that was already corrected. Therefore to leave up your entire comment that referenced a part of the article that no longer existed and nobody would have been to see, would have been an injustice to you.
Fair enough. I’m not trying to be anal, but presumably the error wasn’t spotted until pointed out, so someone DID see it., Wouldn’t it have been proper to acknowledge the error in an addendum (rather than pretend it didn’t exist) and let the correction stand, as is standard on news websites?