Members of the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team have expressed gratitude towards the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and Special Advisor Jack Warner for its bonuses received for qualification of the 2006 World Cup. But following the meeting held between them and officials of the TTFF in London on Sunday and Monday, the “Soca Warriors” are now sending a message to the Government of their beloved country.
“You told us deliver before the Bahrain game. We delivered, the Federation and Mr Warner have delivered. Now it’s your turn as the Government to give something for our achievement,” Coventry City and T&T’s leading goalscorer Stern John said on Monday night.
John was among some of the players including Shaka Hislop, Brent Sancho and Dennis Lawrence, giving their take on the current situation regarding the revelation of incentives to be paid off as bonus to the players for qualifying for Germany 2006. A sum of US$1,636,357.00 from Warner and the TTFF will be distributed among the players. Several of them were at the meeting including home-based pros Aurtis Whitley and Cyd Gray, currently in England on trials.
“I think all credit must be given to the TTFF, especially Mr Warner because he is a man who stuck to his word. He did everything to keep this dream we had together and now he has delivered for the players. Just coming here with the others like Bruce and Mr Groden made the players feel so comfortable and respected. At least we can show something now for getting to a World Cup,” John said. “But we like to deal with principles and the Government has a chance to smoothen things out because in a very close timing all we want to think about is playing football and getting ready for Germany,” John told TTFF Media.
Hislop, the experienced West Ham United goalie described the meeting as a smooth one.
“Things went smoothly. There was compromise on both sides and both parties came out satisfied as we as players know we stand now. The tickets situation isn’t a major concern in these meetings and we are confident this be addressed in the right manner by the TTFF.
“We did ask Mr Warner about the situation with the Government. We asked him about upcoming talks with the Government and we would like them (Government) to know that we will like to hear from them sooner than later to know more about what they have proposed so that we can at least try to take the relationship a bit further,” Hislop told TTFF Media.
Sancho meantime went further by adding that the Government should take heed from the TTFF and Warner’s lead role. He revealed that the TTFF welcomed the idea of revamping the players association.
“The TTFF did their part and this is definitely strengthening the relationship with the players. This will benefit football tremendously. It’s not just about Germany 2006 but instead about the future of our football and how the country could benefit from it. The Government should take heed from the TTFF and come forward and meet with the players committee to at least tie up some loose ends so we can concentrate on football because at the end of the day we are footballers and we are not just here to hear about promises,” Sancho said. He and the others also credited the appointment of English-based agent Mike Berry as TTFF’s consultant for international affairs. Berry has an ongoing relationship with the TTFF officials and players.
The man who struck the vital goal to book T&T’s spot, Lawrence, simply added: “Everybody wanted us to win and everyone celebrated it. Imagine the TTFF came all this way to take care of matters with us. Hopefully now the leaders of the country will follow up with us.”