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He is here. And then he’s not. He is in. And then he is back out again.
Former England National Under-17 Team captain John Bostock will not make his senior international debut with Trinidad and Tobago on Friday against Costa Rica, despite being granted approval to play by FIFA.
Within hours of being granted FIFA clearance, Bostock has pulled out of the national team for the second time. On the last occasion, the elegant midfielder, who plays professionally for RC Lens in the France Second Division, said his passport was stolen.
(Copyright Butfootball)
This time, Bostock told Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart that he could not travel to Trinidad due to a personal emergency. The specific reason was not shared with the public.
“As many may know, it has been a long process in receiving the clearance from FIFA,” Bostock told the TTFA Media. “So understandably it is now with deep regret that due to personal reasons that I’m unable to disclose, I cannot play for Trinidad and Tobago at this stage.
“I wish coach Stephen Hart and the boys all the best for the upcoming games. I will, of course, be following the matches closely and God willing I will be able to make my international bow in the not too distant future.”
At the time of Bostock’s last withdrawal in September, he was due to travel to Trinidad in blind hope before games against Guatemala and the United States. As it transpired, he would have been unable to play anyway. This occasion is different, as FIFA gave the assurance that the midfielder is eligible to represent the Warriors.
However, Hart said he is convinced by the sincerity of Bostock’s desire to represent Trinidad and Tobago—his father, John Bostock Senior, was born in Trinidad.
“I had a conversation with him where he was emotional in expressing his withdrawal due to a family situation which he did not want to disclose,” said Hart.
(Courtesy Charleston Battery)
Hart has already selected Charleston Battery playmaker Ataulla Guerra to compensate for Bostock’s pull-out and the internal suspension of attacking midfielder, Kevin Molino.
“We have 23 players in the squad and we will get on with the business of preparing for Friday’s match,” said Hart. “The mood is good and upbeat after the first couple of sessions and everyone appears to be in a good physical and mental state of mind based on how things have looked on the training field so far.
“We’ll have everybody in by today and with that we’ll move ahead full steam with the preparations.”
Trinidad and Tobago held two training sessions yesterday and should be joined today by the Mexico-based duo Jomal Williams and Yohance Marshall, Belgium-based midfielder Khaleem Hyland, Russia-based defender Sheldon Bateau and Holland-based winger Levi Garcia.
(Trinidad and Tobago Team)
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Adrian Foncette (Police);
Defenders: Aubrey David (FC Dallas—US), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Radanfah Abu Bakr (JK Silame Kalev—Estonia), Sheldon Bateau (KC Krylia Sovetov—Russia), Yohance Marshall (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Jelani Peters (W Connection), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E Land—Korea Republic);
Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (KV Westerlo—Belgium), Neveal Hackshaw (Charleston Battery—USA), Kevan George (Jackson Armada FC—US);
Hyland scored in a 2-1 win for the “Soca Warriors.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Attacking Midfielders: Levi Garcia (AZ Alkmaar—Netherlands), Jomal Williams (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Ataulla Guerra (Charleston Battery—US), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—US), Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders—US), Marcus Joseph (Central FC),
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones (Central FC), Trevin Caesar (Orange County Blues—US), Willis Plaza (San Juan Jabloteh).
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This man taking we for ass yea! Forget he! We have better local talent!
He looking for an England call up still and playing see saw with Trinidad. I only know of him from Hart. Other than that I don’t know who the hell he is and he may never play for England as well. I say forget he yes..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7897501/European-Under-19-Championships-three-Young-England-Lions-to-watch.html
Past tense
He moved to Tottenham at the wrong time when all was going well for him at Crystal Palace. I wonder why his agent sent him there when there were guys like Bale, Modric and co. Doesn’t take away his talent. But to say he is looking for an England call-up at 24 and being in French D2, I would be surprised. The guy is REALLY good, check him out on Youtube. Fierce left foot.
Now when it comes to his reason for not coming now, I guess we will find out soon, but he would have been useful in midfield like he has been for his new team and already rated as the best D2 player currently.
I saw the clips not denying that he isn’t good but we also have serious talented footballers here in Trinidad and we don’t need to chase a dreamer
OK, we will see over the next 2 weeks. I still believe that a guy who has played in the Premier League (even if he is not Dwight Yorke or Kenwyne Jones) deserves to be seen at least.
Will see
Eric Maitrejean, since it didn’t work out for John Bostock and England… You made me curious as to what happened to the other two exceptional young English players that the Telegraph profiled.
Matthew Briggs might wish he was in Bostock’s shoes. He tanked and ended up playing for Guyana…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/14/millwall-matthew-briggs-guyana
And Nathan also failed to cut the mustard and is a lower league player who is mentioned in the breath with the word “mediocrity”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2152408-nathan-delfouneso-from-future-england-star-to-football-mediocrity
Lasana Liburd I remember Delfouneso! He was supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread…Sigh…
At least Bostock is still playing at a decent level with a former French champion and on the way up (him and the club).
Why r we always chasing after these non T&T nationals who clearly don’t respect our team? We have so many eligible guys down here who are dying for the opportunity to represent the red, white and black (Leston Paul, Rundell Winchester, Jean Luc Rochford, Alvin Jones to name a few) and we keep trying to naturalize foreigners? Is that our game plan to qualify for the World Cup? There’s even a young man called Andre Fortune who was a midfield giant for one of our under 17 teams. Why aren’t we chasing after him?
Even Darren Chucky Mitchell deserves a call up smh he’s hungry and ready but as usual we like d foreign Base of ones
Although I’m sure, that he will line up for us next match week
He’s Scottish as well guys. Just saying
This should not be playing out in the Media. Players are being given too much attention and we they have not proven that they are worth anything yet.
Hart already know he was not coming that’s why he did already add “A. Guerra” to the roster ….
..Aaaaaaaaaahhh..
Hahaha ENT! Keith
I wonder what convinced Hart of Bostock’s desire to represent Trinidad and Tobago.
His tears, he has the heart of a politician
He cried?
lolol
I just don’t know at what point in time the world became so selfish
How do you mean?
Ppl just on themselves Lasana Liburd
Well, I don’t know. It could have been a real emergency. Although i also find the regularity to be worrying. Impossible to know for sure what’s happening. Maybe it IS genuine.
Lasana Liburd lol always at call up something happening. Don’t be blind to the obvious.
David Gintoki Aguillera I know what it looks like. I’m just always careful not to say stuff I can’t prove.
That’s in my DNA now! ?
Well 17yr Olds refusing to play for TnT so why not “big” professionals
Lasana liburd is this the second coming of bobby zamora ?
He clearly had a change of HEART OR HART.lol.
Birchall still playing? Lasana Liburd what’s the latest on him
Birchall retired after the 2013 Gold Cup, Kyon. And he was barely used in that competition at all. He still plays lower level English football.
Lasana Liburd he’s retired now and going into journalism.
Something going on on that team the story will come out soon this is t and t
No comment ever again
Treating TTFA like an act of coitus
Bring back Birchall
:v :v
And surprising he really does want to come back but sadly Hart eh bite yet
Send a msg David
To be honest Savitri, we don’t really need Birchall’s qualities in this team at the moment. Boucaud, Kevan, Hyland, etc all play his role and are younger, fiercer and more mobile. We need specific type of players but we are not short of midfield battlers.
Gosh ah cyar make a joke now
Lol. Sorry Sav!
Ok Coach…..lol
Not sure about this on again off again scenario, i’m sensing that all is not what it appears to be. TIME WILL TELL.
Brexit pt 2?
Lmao
Lolol
This man is like a mythical creature the TTFA created to give us that Birchall effect ?
Dam…thought the timing was perfect but I guess it was not!
Don’t see a good outcome for our Team ….. #nosocawarriorsatall
I’m really disappointed too Rose-Marie. And I keep picturing Molino snickering…
I don’t want to think de man just dissing we eh. But it lil strange.
Maybe his inability to keep his personal life from affecting his professional life is what caused his career to nose dive and make him a possible T&T player in the first place. He was a former England national youth captain, after all.
That’s what I was thinking. He was a former England youth captain. So he had potential to be right up there. Sounds like playing for us might be dregs to him.
Harsh assessment considering you don’t know the actual reason for his withdrawal.
Hard to say, but I was looking forward to him playing. Lasana Liburd you comment about Molino snickering is so funny. I hope whatever it is, it is resolved soon.
Well, the TTFF blotched this application the first time. Maybe the disorganization has scared him away.
This man taking we for a ride yes… Ah bet you when we qualify then he will make his debut.. Not ah shit ah that na… Forget he
Bibby Zamora part 2
Hart attack ting!
But do we know the circumstances?
Brian, it’s the second time he has done this. Maybe it’s just a coincidence that on each occasion he has had to represent his country, something unfortunate occurred. Others will go out on a limb for this opportunity. Let’s sincerely hope that both excuses are legitimate.
I know it’s the second time but I just want more info which we currently don’t have
Last time he couldn’t play even if he did come
Lasana Liburd I think it is better you stop reporting on bostock cuz is tabanca u giving we right thru
I think that he is just “playing games” First, he lost his passport (he didn’t know that FIFA clearance was not granted) and now he has a personal problem!
Let’s look at FIFA Statute for the eligibility of representing the national team. This was written on the Regulation Governing the Application of the Statutes, III. Eligibility to play for representative team. Le’ts look at Article 5
Article 5. Principle
Second Paragraph
With the exception of the conditions specified in article 8 below, any Player who has already participated in a match (either in full or in part) in an Official Competition of any category or any type of football for one Association may not play an international match for a representative team of another Association.
This means that once the player has represented the national team in official competition, they may not change nationalities.
So if he does not PLAY for T&T he can rescind. I think that he is still looking for an England call up. If T&T get through the “Hex” he will become available. Check his record……Crystal Palace/ Spurs etc. He is not reliable
In what world is England calling up a French league D2 player? First “excuse” was compounded by the fact that the TTFA messed up the application process and have been waiting since then for clearance so even if he wanted to come he couldn’t play until this week.
I think Bostock might be a bit fragile or sensitive. I don’t know that it is more than that.
I think the issue may have been that they had picked him before they had confirmed that FIFA had approved him playing for Trinidad & Tobago…….I don’t blame him for waiting until Trinidad has their s#@t in order
I saw an interview on Sky Sports speaking to bostocks earlier hype, kind of our modern day odegaard in which he said that he is working towards getting a contract in the premier league and a hopeful subsequent England call up
Good thing I “didden” get wuk up over his release by FIFA to represent T&T.
Look Trinidad stop begging this man to play please. No drama needed Moving right along
Unfortunate but things happen … handle your business boss !!
fishy, its either be serious or get out
Exactly!
Wha really going on here dread? Three hours ago he get de green light and now we back to red?
Can he reverse his decision ?
No. He is registered and he cannot switch back.
Good
Even though he hasn’t taken the field it can’t be reversed ?
Yuh sure?
You apply to switch on the understanding that there is no second chance.
In theory, he can appeal to FIFA and try to explain why he should be allowed another switch. But he has already gotten the only switch he is allowed and is officially a Trinidad player now.
Okay
Buh wah chubble is dis!!! ?
A real joker. Steups!
Before we can play judge, jury and executioner we have to get the back story. If it is found that he was on folly, then hello and goodbye English boy! !!
What’s the deal with Radanfah Abu Bakr? Why isn’t he on squad anymore? I thought he was a good fit
Radanfah is there according to the article
Yes. Radanfah is in the squad.
Okay I was listening to the news on the line up for Friday and I didn’t hear his name
hahahahaha The fella maybe doesn’t really want to represent the Soca Worries eh.
Ent. Is like we being treated like ah small goal sweat. This is WC qualification
Hart sounds like it’s genuine. Trinidad small. I am sure somebody know his dad and the man “personal business” will be in the road just now
May have nothing to do with his dad. He’s a big boy.
Just saying (hoping) that he call daddy and say “I sorry for setting u up but so and so is the scene” and daddy tell uncle who still local based, who tell he padna in the rum shop, who tell Earl Mango Pierre, who then tell all of us 🙂
Lolol..and we know how uncle Earl like d bacchanal
Last time it was the dog eat meh passport, now is personal reasons… #nextmanup
Hahahaha
hahahaha
Move on.. #nextmanup
I so agree with you eh and was thinking maybe he should get the Molino treatment
I’m disappointed because it seems we are bring strung along. However I want to leave room for optimism. Like someone else says, don’t say anything, just let him show up and play. This is annoying.
Whats the back story?
Steups just unleash Lobo!! ??????
Lobo Jr….lol Sheriff Lobo would like that…
This real sounding like ah set ah propaganda eh steeuupsss Them really good yes.
..Is this worth the wait? Or the trouble?..
Hmmmm I hope there isn’t more to this story than what I am reading here
Hahahahahahahahahahahajajah!!!!!!
okay then…
Sounds fishy … this is very very disappointing