Come the 2006 season, the T&T Pro League will take under its wings the Semi-Pro ‘Super League’.
Chairman of the T&T Pro League Larry Romany announced on Wednesday 22 February, at a media conference, that the Pro League would now be responsible for the management and running of the Super League.
Mr. Romany explained the Pro League made a proposal to the Trinidad and Tobago football federation to take over the Super League, in order for the proper management of the process of promotion and demotion between the two leagues.
“There was need to have integration between the two leagues and I am pleased to say that the proposal was approved by a special committee set up for this purpose,” said Romany.
The Pro League Chairman also stated the services of Mr. Anthony Harford of all sports promotion will be retained because he has done an excellent job and we feel the Super League should continue to be marketed as an independent, unique product.
Mr. Romany indicated there are still a few hitches to be worked out before things get rolling, but said, “The main thing is that we are now together on the same page and I think this will augur well for he development of football in T&T in the long term.”
The promotion/relegation system is expected to kick in at the end of the
2006 season—where it is being proposed the top (2) Super League teams will move up into the Pro League—with the bottom (2) Pro League teams being demoted into the Super League.
Mr. Romany assured the League will be working closely with the top 2 Super League teams and will be assisting them in attaining the necessary requirements needed to step up at the professional level.
All Sports Promotions Director Anthony Harford has welcomed the move, he told ttproleague.com, “I have absolutely no difficulty with the move—when we started the Super League, the Pro League was in transition mode, and over the last couple of years the Pro League has demonstrated that they have been able to build a successful brand, and compounded with the country’s qualification for the World Cup, we had no hesitation with this venture.”
The Super League is expected to have eight teams for the 2006 season, Mr. Harford stated that it was always the intention to start the league with ten teams and then drop to eight.
He explained the reason saying, “We don’t believe at that level, having 10 Pro League teams, that there will be enough quality teams coming forward to sustain a semi-pro league with ten teams.”