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Guyanese Coach James Mc Clean is under enormous pressure to repeat the success North East Stars enjoyed last season when they made history by winning the T&T Pro League for the first time in their short three-year history.


Nevertheless, Mc Clean will not too be overwhelmed, he admitted to ‘ttproleague.com’, “Yes there is some pressure going into the new season—as champs everybody wants to beat you, and that’s the challenge we face, but when the season starts the boys will be up for the task.”

The successful coach said this year; discipline will be our main watchword, as we need to better the standard of play we displayed last season. The North East Stars coach was happy with his pre-season preparation, saying, “We basically used the time to regroup and re-focus on the job at hand and we are now re-energized and ready to go.”

The Sangre Grande based outfit has lost big influential defender Charles Pollard to San Juan Jabloteh—Coach Mc Lean has admitted that it’s a big loss—but said “It was like when Manchester United lost Beckham—we have moved on, and we have some new players that are expected to make their mark this season.”

There are four new faces in the North East Stars line up, Jabloteh’s Fabian Garcia, Tobago United’s Dwayne Jack Caledonia Fire’s Brent Antoine and Vincentian import Melvin Andrews. There are also a couple of young under 20 players that have come through ranks in the club—National under 20 player Kendall Jagdeosingh and Keston Pierre.

But the core of the winning team from 2004 will be back aiming for more success—the league’s leading goal scorer last season Jerren Nixon is making a return and once again a lot will depend on his goal scoring ability. The Guyanese trio of Howard Lowe, Abassi Mc Pherson and Carey Harris, along with St. Vincent’s Kendall Velox will be the heart of the Sangre Grande based outfit once again.

Coach Mc Lean is not undaunted by the prospect of defending the league title, “I am very confident—but not overconfident, we will be keeping our feet on the ground and not getting carried away.”

“I believe the chemistry and the togetherness we have are our greatest strengths and that’s what got us through last year and will see us forge on in 2005,” Mc Lean boasted.

Mr. Mc Clean’s said his objectives are simple—“I want to see North East Stars successfully defend the league title and capture a knockout title, but more importantly the Guyanese coach will like to leave an indelible mark in local club football as a foreign coach in the T&T Pro League—and in the meantime turning North East Stars a football dynasty in the region.”

Team Profile.
Coach—James Mc Lean.

Assistant Coach—Philbert Charles.

2004 Achievements.
2004 T&T Pro League Champions,
Defending F.A. Cup Champions from 2003.

Last Season’s Top Goal Scorer—Jerren Nixon—37 goals

New Players—Melvin Andrews, Brent Antoine, Dwayne Jack and Fabian Garcia.

Registered Squad of Players

Captain-Jerren Nixon.

Goalkeepers—Trevor Nottingham, Melvin Andrews.

Defenders—Wilford Joseph, Howard Lowe, Glenton Wolfe.

Midfielders—Kayode Mc Kinnon, Abassi, Mc Pherson, Keryn Navarro, Dwayne Jack, Ochieng Abosi, Kern Thomas, Kendall Velox, Keston Pierre and Fabian Garcia.

Forwards—Brent Antoine, Carey Harris, Jerren Nixon, Kendall Jagdeosingh and Anthony Wolfe.