Tobago United.

CLUB NEWS: 

30-Dec-2005 - Caribbean integration and Caricom unity meant nothing for two young Tobagonians Daryll James and Donald Wills when they went to Guyana on December 11. ... More.

27-Oct-2005 - Kerry Baptiste scored a first-half double to lead second placed CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh to a 3-2 win over cellar-placed Tobago United in the penultimate round of matches in the T&T Professional Football League Senior Division on Tuesday night. ... More.

20-Oct-2005 - W Connection are just a victory away from wrapping up the T&T Pro League title. The Central-based team stretched their lead to a clear 15 points after coming away comfortable 4-0 victors over Tobago United on Tuesday night. ... More.

14-Sept-2005 - Tobago United and National Quarries North East Stars are in a rush to fill their rosters each with two international professionals before the T&T Professional Football League transfer window closes at 3pm today. ... More.

21-Aug-2005 - Tobago United seemed to have come with a plan of defending with numbers at the back, and then launching into attack quickly on the break. It worked well for just about 40 minutes, but when they shot themselves in the foot by conceding an own goal, San Juan Jabloteh took control, and went on to win yesterday's Pro League match 4-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. ... More.

NLCB assist Tobago United.

Tobago News.
18-Jul-2005 - Tobago United's coffer was enhanced by $100,000 courtesy the National Lotteries Board. The donation will be used to off set administrative expenses, salaries and stipends for players and other expenses associated with the exorbitant cost of playing in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League.
The funding came at an opportune time and should boost the members' morale as they are struggling in the cellar position on the eight-team table.
The island's lone professional team has not won a game in 37 encounters but they have drawn their last three games and this may just be the first sign that the club could be coming out of the mire.
They opened the second round recently with a two all draw against the powerful Defence Force outfit and with the addition of Kenny Thomas to the coaching staff, head coach Peter Granville told the Tobago News that he is quietly confident of achieving his goal of securing a place in the Big Six.

Tobago Utd holds champs NE Stars to 3-3 draw.

By: Nigel Simon.
19-Jun-2005 - Ancil George made a last-minute break-away to secure Tobago United’s first point in the 2005 T&T Professional Football League’s Senior Division.
The Tobagonians battled to a 3-3 draw with National Quarries North East Stars at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago, on Saturday night.
NE Stars, the defending champions, seemed set for a huge win after taking a 3-0 lead, but the Tobagonians struck back with three goals, the last coming in the final minute, to get their first point from eight matches.
Anton Wolfe opened the scoring for Stars in the 23rd minute off a free-kick while Carey Harris made it 2-0, two minutes before half-time.
Three minutes into the second-half, the match seemed all but over when Harris fired in his second goal of the match—the team’s third.
But the Tobago United players were not to be denied and started their recovery in the 58th minute through Ashford Leggerton.
Noel Williams, the top scorer in the Under-20 last year, rattled the nerves of the Stars when he banged in the Tobagonians’ second goal in the 76th minute.
With the final seconds ticking away, George found himself on a break-away and with only Stars goalkeeper Trevor Nottingham to beat, he coolly slotted the ball into the net to salvage the 3-3 draw for his club.

Tobago United open vs North East Stars.

Tobago News.
15-Apr-2005 - The unavailability of the Dwight Yorke Stadium last Saturday forced the tournament committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League to reschedule Tobago United opening game against the Defence Force.
Tobago United is now schedule to be in action in the second round of action in Trinidad on Saturday.
Head coach Peter Granville could not confirm their opponents because he said he had not received their schedule from the League's committee as yet.
However he said that he believed that they will be playing North East Stars who were bombed out by Vibes 105 W Connection 4-0 in their opening game, the defending League Champions North East Stars has attracted a major title sponsor. The Sangre Grande based outfit will now be known as National Quarries N.E. Stars. National Quarries Company Limited has signed a three (3) year deal with the T&T Pro League and FA Cup Champions North East Stars.
Despite a very poor performance in the 2004 Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League, Tobago United, the island only professional team had the satisfaction of copping the Most Disciplined Team award.
Head coach Peter Granville received the award on behalf of his club at the League's Awards Ceremony in Trinidad last Saturday. The club which finished in the cellar position on the eight team standing received $116,000 as their prize monies.
The club under 20 outfit also mounted the prize rostrum to receive their prize for finishing third in their division while their prolific goal scorer Noel Williams collected the prize for the most goals. He scored 32 goals for the season.

Tobago United Still Winless.

30-Jul-2004 - Defeat number thirteen from as many outings but the Tobago Pros, the only professional team on the island continues to soldier on in the Professional Football League.
However, despite their poor showing the club recently had some good fortune, being the first recipient of two new kits of uniforms courtesy, the Italian sports wear giants, Lotto and the acquisition of some new players that has injected some new life into the team as was evident in one of their recent game against third place Starworld Strikers, though they lost 3-2.
Coming on board recently were former Roxborough Composite player Cyd Gray, on loan from San Juan Jabloteh, 2003 national under 20 team top goal scorer Ijamar Mark, former under 17 and under 20 goalkeeper, Moriba Baker who had a short stint in Spain and Kerwin Jack.
Head coach Peter Granville reported that they recently did some house cleaning of players who are not committed and restructuring of the team and added that Tobago United is about providing a stage for ambitious players to perform on.
He boasted that five of their players are on trials with the national under 20 team that is preparing for a tournament in August while two are on trials with the national under 17 team.

Partner Clubs.

Atletico Paranaense.
FC Dallas.

Coach:
Peter Granville - Tobago.

Assistants:
Collie Hercules - Guyana.
Kenny Thomas.
Bertyl Baird.

Goalkeepers:
Goeffrey Delpesche.
22.Richard Reynolds - Guyana.
1.Sean Johnson - Guyana.

Defenders:
17.George Dublin - capt - Antigua.
6.Javin Crawford.
15.Jamal Jack.
21.Kevin Adams.
23.Dean Thomas.
30.Keon Samuel.
8.Lorenzo Wiebers - Suriname.
Makesi Jackson.
3.Selwyn Isacs - Guyana.
18.Tichard Joseph - Guyana.

Midfielders:
10.Carey Harris - Guyana.
Gerron McKinght.
45.Garvin McKenna.
9.Kerron Phillips.
16.Kayode McKinnon - Guyana.
12.Joel Alleyne.
7.Marvin Phillips.
14.Pierre Joseph - Guyana.
20.Quasie Johnson.
13.Steven Loverso - United States.
4.Warren Phillips.

Forwards:
11.Collie Hercules - Guyana.
19.Garth Woodley.
17.Handell Manswell.
Kayode Legall.

Based:
Tobago.

Team Photos:
Coming Soon.

PFL Teams Standings & Scorers:
Click Here.

Last PFL/Big Six Game Played:
02-Jul- 08 - Caledonia AIA  3  v  0  Tobago United.

Home Field: 
The Dwight Yorke Stadium - 10,000.

Tobago lies 35km northeast of Trinidad and is only 20 minutes away by air. This stadium, named after internationally acclaimed footballer, Dwight Yorke, is situated just 3km away from Scarborough, the island's largest town. Tobago, described as a tourist paradise by many, offers visitors exotic tours to historical sites and natural wonders, as well as many recreational facilities for the more adventurous spirit.

Defence Force (yellow/green) vs Tobago United (white/Blue).

SOME TOP TOBAGO UNITED GAMES:

1.  2003 PFL Game: 25-May-03.
Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Tobago United 1 v 1 W Connection.
Tobago United - SCORER:
Kerron Phillips 40th.

2. 2003 PFL Game: 15-Jun-03.
Marvin Lee Stadium.
Tobago United 1 v 1 Joe Public.
Tobago United - SCORER:
Jason Sampson 22nd.

3.  2005 PFL Game: 18-Jun-05.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 3 v 3 North East Stars.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Ancil George, Ashford Leggerton, Noel Williams.

4. 2005 PFL Game: 27-Sept-05.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 2 Caledonia AIA Fire.
Tobago United - SCORER:
Noel Williams 45th, 65th.

5.  2006 PFL Game: 25-Jul-06.
Larry Gomes Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 2 Joe Public.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Sherwin Lee 38th, Dwayne Jack 90th.

6. 2007 PFL Game: 23-Jun-07.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 0 United Petrotrin.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Keyode Legall 9th, Garvin McKenna 86th.

7.  2007 PFL Game: 10-Jul-07.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 3 v 2 Superstar Rangers.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Kayode Legall 59th, Kerron Phillips 73rd, Nyron Orr 75th.

8.  2007 PFL Game: 31-Jul-07.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 6 v 2 Police FC.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Nyron Orr 13th, Collie Hercules 40th-pen, 87th, Kayode Lagall 62nd, 75th, 90th.

9.  First Citizen Cup: 18-Sept-07.
Larry Gomes Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 1 North East Stars.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Quacy Johnson 34th, Collie Hercules 56th.

10. Toyoto Classic Cup: 19-Oct-07.
Larry Gomes Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 2 North East Stars.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Pierre Joseph 24th, Collie Hurcules 38th.
After Penalties: North East Stars 1 v Tobago United 3 (Geroge Dublin, Kevin Adams, Tichard Joseph)

11. Pro League Game: 19-Apr-08.
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
Tobago United 2 v 1 North East Stars.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Collie Hurcules 31st, Kayode McKinnon 40th.

12. Pro League Game: 24-Jun-08.
Dwight Yorke Stadium
Tobago United 1 v 1 Defence Force.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Kayode McKinnon 85th.

13. Pro League Game: 28-Jun-08.
Ato Boldon Stadium
Tobago United 3 v 3 San Juan Jabloteh.
Tobago United - SCORERS:
Kayode McKinnon 22nd, Collie Hercules 78th, 88th-pen.

Peter Granville: I am not afraid to lose.

By Joel Villafana (www.ttproleague.com).
29-Jun-2004 - People without vision will perish—Tobago United’s Coach Peter Granville is not one of those people.
Mr. Granville has dedicated the rest of his life to work with the youngsters in Tobago who are willing to work hard and play at the highest level.
Tobago united currently lie at the bottom of the table in the Pro League standings, without a point, having lost all nine games they have played, but Granville is not daunted.
The 43 year old coach said “one needs to be a realistic—there are some 25 players from Tobago already playing with other clubs throughout Trinidad—so the average age of my team is twenty-two, with most of the players coming straight out of the secondary school system, and it’s a bit of an adjustment coming into the Pro-League,” but he believes once they continue to play regularly at this level and be allowed the opportunity to develop, soon enough they will be very competitive.
Granville insists there is still a lot of young, raw talent in Tobago, and developing this talent is a challenge, which I have accepted with open arms. He admits that the results in the league so far have not been encouraging—but he said “it all depends on how you see success.”
“Our under 20 team has just reached the under 20 league cup semi final and was beaten by W Connection—if that is not development, if that is not an achievement or some form of success, then I don’t know what is.”
“We have played nine games, three of them we scored first—I know we can pull a few surprises and win a few games before the end of the season. There are definitely recognizable signs that we can produce positive results, I sincerely believe we would finish the season strong.”
Mr. Granville who has been a national coach for 5 years said Tobago United’s main thrust is to keep the youths of Tobago off the streets, keep them busy and away from crime. The Tobago born coach says personally his main objective is to create an avenue and provide a stage for the Tobago players to display their talents, he added “I am not discrediting the Tobago league, but if young Tobagonian footballers want to play at the highest level they must aspire to compete in the T&T Pro League.”
Granville adheres to the old adage “Patience is a Virtue” “The life of a football coach is all about passion and patience sticking through the adversities—I am not afraid to lose, because I have the patience to wait until success comes—and it will come.” Granville said emphatically.
He concluded by making a bold boast—saying “within the next two years everybody in the Caribbean will be talking about Tobago United—because Tobago United is just not about winning football competitions, we are building an institution in Tobago that all of Tobago one day will be proud of.”

Starworld Strikers trounce Tobago United 9-0.

T&T Newsday Reports.
03-May-2004 - Guyanese striker Randolph Jerome, the 2003 T&T Pro League top goalscorer, notched a hat-trick for his new club Starworld Strikers as the Southern-based team trounced Tobago United 9-0 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, yesterday. Jerome found the back of the net in the 13th, 19th and 69th minutes while midfielder Andre Charles added a pair in the 67th and 74th minutes, as Starworld moved to fourth in the eight-team standings after fourth round action. Bevon Lewis 27th, Dexter Franklyn 37th, Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews 78th and Dale Saunders 86th scored the other goals.

Defence Force tops Tobago United.

T&T Express Reports.
27-Apr-2004 - Defence Force are now atop the table after their second successive victory in the T&T Pro League last Sunday, when they secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Tobago United at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.
The Tobago team finally got their season going, playing their first fixture against the Army/Coast Guard combination, a match that was scheduled for a week ago.
Defence Force, fresh off a victory against Arima Morvant Fire in which they also prevailed 3-0, had two late strikes to earn themselves a victory by the same margin and six points, to take them to the top spot of the table on goal difference, ahead of Vibe CT 105 W Connection.
Defence Force got the go-ahead goal from Addison Belfon in the 20th minute, but although they had several good attempts, they did not add to the score in the first half.
The second half promised more of the same, with Defence Force custodian Selwyn George not really being tested, while additional goals eluded the Defence Force strikers.
Just when it seemed that the game would end 1-0, Kevon Carter was patron of the Defence Force's second item, with a fine solo run in the 87th minute.
After beating two defenders, he neatly placed the ball under an advancing Tobago United keeper, Deon Taylor, to notch goal number two for his team.
Defence Force had one final item in the match, and again Carter was involved.
Collecting a long pass on the right flank, he crossed inside to a unmarked Devon Jorsling, who, with the goal at his mercy, made no mistake in the 89th minute of the game.
In the earlier match-up at the same venue, the Defence Force Under-20 squad had an even more convincing win against their Tobago counterparts.
The Defence Force junior team swamped a tame Tobago United Under-20 squad 5-0 in a game that could have easily seen them victorious by a bigger margin.
Kerry Joseph had Defence Force's only first half goal in the 34th minute, but it was Jamal Simmons who contributed most to Tobago United's misery, scoring a hat-trick, including a strike in the final minute of the match to cap off a fine night for his team. Roy Richards had the other goal for Defence Force.

Joe Public beats Tobago United.

TnT Guardian Reports.
03-Oct-2003 - A second-half goal by Christian Freitas secured a 2-1 win for Joe Public over Tobago United on Wednesday in a Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League match at Shaw Park in Tobago.
Former Columbus Crew (MLS) and Tobago United captain Kevin Adams gave the home side the lead in the third minute when he scored from the penalty spot after Dwayne Jack was taken down in the area.
Joe Public equalised through Devin Elcock in the 25th minute. Tyronne Brown, aged 21, had an outstanding match between the uprights for Tobago United.
“I would rate him as one of the better young keepers in the country,” said coach Peter Granville after the match.
Granville, a former national coach, also said he would highly recommend Jack for a trial with the national senior team. “The average age of my team is 22 and there are signs of improvement,” he added.
The win was only Joe Public’s fourth in 18 appearances and it was the Tobagonians 15th loss.
Earlier in the Under-20 fixture, Joe Public came away a 2-0 winner with its goals coming from Lincoln Brown and Ordelle Armstrong.

North East Stars slams Tobago United 4-1.

By: Gregory Trujillo.
9-Sept-2003 - North East Stars struck back with vengeance to defeat Tobago United 4-1 on Sunday under lights at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Tobago United, which was seeking to win its first match in its 14th outing, enjoyed the lead up to half-time after Nicholas Jack scored.
The visitors came out firing in the second period with Guyanese Randolph Jerome hitting the mark on three occasions.
Jerome started the comeback by scoring the first goal. This was followed by another by Anthony Wolfe and two more by Jerome.
North East was also victorious in the Under-20 Division match, winning 2-0. Its goalscorers were Harun Thompson and Kerwyn Matthews.

W Connection prove to strong for Tobago United.

21-Jul-2003 - W Connection closed the gap on leaders CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League with a 4-1 win yesterday over cellar-placed Tobago United at Ato Boldon Stadium, Freeport.
The Leroy Spann-coached WCFC found itself trailing after 10 minutes when Garth Woodley beat goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa. Brazilian Gefferson Goulart started the comeback for the “Savonetta Boys” in the 22nd hitting home in a scrimmage.
League’s leading goalscorer, Kittian George Isaac netted his ninth item in the 37th with a right footer from inside the 18-yard box. National Under-23 striker, Kendall Davis benefitted from two excellent build-ups to score easy goals in the 53rd and 67th to complete the scoring.

Tobago battling on Pro League want no drop-outs.

By Lasana Liburd.
8-Jul-2003 - The Tobago United football club will make every effort to complete their inaugural season in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League despite a troublesome start to their 2003 campaign.
Thirteen minutes into their debut at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet on May 4, the lights went out with Tobago leading fellow newcomers, the South Western Institute of Football (SWIF), 1-0 on a Noel Almond strike.
There has been precious little for coach Peter Granville to smile about since.
SWIF were eventually awarded three points and as many goals in a default win over their hosts, while Tobago also conceded games to defending champions CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force without even taking to the field. The issue was deemed serious enough for the lone outfit from the sister isle to be summoned before the Pro League executive committee last week.
Tobago Utd responded by turning up for their encounter last Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, where they were—ironically—whipped 3-0 by Caledonia AIA in a bottom-of-the-table clash.
Granville, who was once deemed one of the country’s brightest coaches and then labelled "persona non grata" by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) in the space of a calendar year, hinted that the scoreline may have flattered their victors.
“Tobago showed some character,” said the ex-national youth team and Doc’s Khelwalaas coach. “Caledonia scored just before the half and we were still right in there with it. We had an opportunity to equalise but didn’t capitalise.
“They then scored two goals in the last ten minutes.”
More importantly, though, is Tobago’s long-term commitment to the fledgling league. Pro League secretary Wilfred Espinet explained that the board would soon make an announcement regarding the club. But he regarded Sunday’s game as a positive signal.
“They played yesterday (Sunday) and we are working with them to complete the season,” said Espinet. “We don’t want any drop outs.”
Granville was equally guarded when asked about Tobago’s ability to complete the Pro League season. He admitted that there were problems, although he declined to explain exactly what were the factors threatening their participation.
Granville did say, though, that they faced Caledonia with a full squad which included captain and former MLS Columbus Crew defender Kevin Adams and popular Tobago-based players like midfielder Shawn Job and striker Nicholas Jack.
“We are battling on,” said Granville. “The players decide they want to battle on and we can only go with that.”
The Tobago club was good enough to hold defending FA Cup champions Vibe CT 105 W Connection to a draw at home on May 25, while they secured another point against Joe Public on June 15 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
They are still without their first win, though, and four points adrift of second-from-bottom Caledonia AIA after nine rounds of competition.

Army beats Tobago United 4-0 in First Citizen Cup.

TnT Guardian Repoets.
12-Jun-2003 - Defence Force, having a lean season so far in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League, remained in line to make a successful defence of the First Citizens Bank Cup by defeating Tobago United 4-0 in a qualifier at Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday.
With just two wins from five outings in the league, the Army will now meet last year’s beaten finalist Vibe CT 105 W Connection in one of the four first round matches next Wednesday.
Over in Tobago, Junior Roberts, the goalkeeper for the home side, started his team’s slide when he handled the ball outside the area in the 24th minute. And, he was unable to stop the resulting free-kick by Shelton Williams.
Within three minutes, the score was increased by Russell Pope following a defensive blunder and the same player made it 3-0 three minutes before the interval. Another defensive mistake swelled the soldiers lead to four in the 78th minute with Vincent Garcia being the goalscorer.

Tobago United 0 vs Defence Force 4 (Russell Pope 27th, 42nd, Shelton Williams 24th, Vincent Garcia 78th).

Starworld Strikers stop Tobago United.

By Mervyn Stewart.
03-Jun-2003 - Starworld Strikers defeated Tobago United 3-0 to stay on the heels of the leaders in the 2003 Pro League season.
The match, which was Strikers’ fifth game of the season, was played at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella last Sunday afternoon with a fair crowd in attendance.
Everald “Gally” Cummings, technical director of the southern-based Strikers outfit, said he was particularly impressed with the team’s performance in the first half of the game as they were able to poach a two-goal advantage at the interval.
He also believed that the margin of victory could have been much wider if the officials had asked the visitors to change their uniforms, since both teams played in similar white strips.
The San Fernando outfit now have ten points, leaving them a point adrift of Vibe CT105 W. Connection (11) and three behind defending champions CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh.
The hosts started with a lot of zest and determination and as early as the ninth minute they took the lead when Kester Cornwall beat goalkeeper Brian James with a neat shot after a splendid set play which started in midfield with Vijay Samaroo, who eluded a defender and slipped a neat pass to Marc Borde, who in turned found Cornwall and he made no mistake with his shot. 
Ashmead Ali’s squad increased their advantage in the 20th minute when Javon Neptune blasted home a right-footer from just outside the six-metre box and the boys in white went away with a 2-0 scoreline at the interval.
In the second session, the southerners completely dominated, but poor finishing by their front line kept the scoreline at two.
Things changed, however, when Errol Charles brought their rhythm section and supporters to life when he unleashed a 20-foot bullet that gave James absolutely no chance.
The visiting Tobago outfit picked up a few yellow cards for some rash challenges and at no point in the game they looked like troubling the scorers.
Strikers now have three victories, a draw and a narrow one-goal defeat at the hands of Jabloteh to their credit.
In Sunday’s opening game, Strikers’ Under-20 outfit defeated their Tobago rivals by a 5-2 margin.

Senior.
Starworld Strikers 3 (Kester Cornwall 9, Jahvon Neptune 20, Errol Charles 87) vs Tobago Utd 0.

Under-20.
Starworld Strikers 5 (Donrick Mascall 20, 30, Kenwyne Richard 43, Damian La Fortune, Anthony Noriega) vs Tobago Utd 2 (Elroy Phillips, Dyke Reid).

Arima Fire wants $15,000 for midfielder Legerton.

By Nigel Simon.
10-May-2003 - Chances of national midfielder, and Arima Fire’s Ashford Legerton joining the Peter Granville-coached Tobago United for the 2003/2004 T&T Pro-League season have hit a snag becuase of the price tag.
Contacted yesterday, ex-national Under-20 football coach, Granville said he would like very much to have the Tobago-born Legerton lineup for his Tobago club, but Fire’s asking price of $15,000 was way out of his team’s reach.
Mervyn Layne, assistant manager, while not giving the actual figure asked for by Fire management’s team confirmed that Tobago United had made inquiries about Legerton, but they have not recieved any replies, so at the moment he is still an Arima Fire player.
While Legerton’s future is not certain with the Firemen, the Fire have snapped up Tobagonians Sean Christmas and Kayode Legall, in addition to discarded national winger Adrian Narine.
Another player expected to join the Tobagonians is former VIBE CT 105 W Connection goalkeeper Brian James.
However, his move to the sister-isle is also not a guarantee, as his agent and officials of the Tobago United are yet to finalise a transfer deal.
The 27-year-old James said his manager Emree Henry had already held talks with Tobago United, and everything was in place for him to make an easy switch within the next week.
Tobago United are also awaiting international clearance for its three players from St Kitts/Nevis Ian Lake, Floyd Hodge and Allister Warner, all whom are between the ages of 18 and 21.

Tobago United impresses coach.

By Nigel Simon.
6-May-2003 - Peter Granville, coach of T&T Pro-League newcomers Tobago United, was impressed with his team’s effort during the 13 minutes of play against South West Institute of Football at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, on Sunday.
Watched by a crowd of almost 500 spectators, both Tobago United and SWIF, coached by former national player Brian Williams, got their 2003/2004 season off to a cautious start.
To the delight of the home supporters, Tobago United went 1-0 ahead with a thunderous left-footed free-kick from Noel Almond that left SWIF goalkeeper Andy Dean without a chance far to his right.
Dean also was called into action on three more occasions - Kerron Phillips and Edson Marcelle (twice) - before the lights failed.
After the abrupt end an upbeat Granville said: “I believe things happen for a reason so hopefully the game being called off was a good thing.”
However I was very impressed, firstly with the way the Under-20 players played, considering they have only been together for under two months.
“The senior players showed a great deal of passion and energy in the way they started and seeing that we are not up to full-strength its an encouraging sign for the rest of the season.
“Our three players from St Kitts/Nevis - Ian Lake, Floyd Hodge and Allister Warner - all between the age of 18-21, were not registered in time for this game, and their inclusion will surely improve our level of play,” said Granville.
“Our next game is a another home game against Arima Fire on Sunday, who played to a 0-0 draw with Caledonia AIA in its opener, so we have to refocus and hope everything comes off well this time around,” added Granville.

Newcomers clash in Tobago opener.

By Gregory Trujillo.
01-May-2003 - Newcomers to the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League, Tobago United and SWIF (South West Institute of Football), will kick-off their campaign against each other on Sunday at Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.
While the two “babes” have been developing the game in their respective areas as their main focus, both are confident of putting up good showings against the more recognised clubs.
Sunday’s first-round fixture is one of five matches — the others being CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh against Joe Public at Marvin Lee Stadium; Defence Force against Vibe CT 105 W Connection at Hasely Crawford Stadium; South Starworld Strikers against North East Stars at Manny Ramjohn Stadium; and Arima Fire against Caledonia AIA at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Kick off in all five matches is at 4 pm and they will be preceded by Under-20 games from 2 pm.
For Tobago United, it will be the first time a Tobago professional team will be competing in Trinidad.
The club is owned by Island Players Football Club Tobago Limited.
“It is owned an grown in Tobago,” said Major Anthony Phillip-Spencer, the team’s interim administrator.
“A policy decision was taken that at any time, a minimum of 75 per cent of the players on the roster will be from the sister isle,” stated Phillip-Spencer.
“The team recognises that while other pro teams may come out of Tobago, it has a responsibility to develop the young Tobagonian footballers by exposing them to competition at the pro level without having to leave their families and homes,” he added.
In the past, more that 25 footballers have left Tobago to play with teams in Trinidad.
A case in point was Rolston James, who played for Jabloteh and then W Connection, before his shock death late last season when he was gunned down, mafia-style.
Tobago United did all its preparatory work at home, playing warm-up games against teams from the Tobago Football Association.
“We believe we will be able to hold our own comfortably against all the teams in the pro league,” said Phillip-Spencer, who mentioned that his team’s chances in the Under-20 League will be particularly strong.
Apart from playing in the league, players from Tobago United also will be going into the communities throughout the island conducting coaching clinics free of charge.
Three young players from St Kitt’s, Floyd Hodge, Allister Warner and Ian Lake (all between the ages of 19 and 21), will join Tobagonians Noel Almond (Scarborough); Edson Marcelle and Tyronne Brown (Charlotteville); Terrance Phillips (Mt Grace); Joel Alleyne (Canaan-Bon Accord); and Kerron Phillips (Mt St George) in the Tobago United line-up.

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