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On August 26 Joe Public successfully defended its Sportworld National Super League Knock-Out title, beating WASA Clean and White 3-0 in the final of the competition at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.


The team’s success, according to it’s coach Michael Mc Commie, is a sign that his players are appreciative of the work that has been put in with them behind the scenes and off the pitch.

Speaking two days before the resumption of the league competition on September 4, Mc Commie assured G-Sport that everything possible has been done to make sure that his players are comfortable a sentiment echoed by a few of his key players.

Speaking through his countryman Luis Fabiano, Brazillian, Leandro Moncao , a product of the youth programme at Brazil’s Vasco De Gama, revealed that he was indeed at home with his team mates and the club.

Moncao, scored three goals in Public’s four Knock-out matches including the opening goal in Public’s triumph over WASA almost a month ago and gave off the air that he was contented with his performance and his ability to adapt to the T&T game.

This may be as a direct result of Mc Commie’s vision for the many storied club when he took the reins last year.

In 2004 the Public line-up spoke of great trust in the talents of the youth, a level of trust that was betrayed when the team came up against the experience of some of its Super League opponents.

Instead of doing away with the club’s youngsters Mc Commie, with the full blessing and support of the club’s board, sought to counter this flaw by adding a few seasoned players to his ranks.

Enter former senior national players Dale Saunders, who Mc Commie says is probably the best midfielder in T&T, Otis Seaton and Lyndon “Chubby” Andrews who have complimented the defensive capabilities of club veteran, Antiguan George Dublin who has been with the club for five years.

Moncao is joined in attack by Jamaican national Under-23 players, last year’s golden boot and most Valuable Player winner Roen Nelson, Wolry Wolfe and Carlington Smith while Jacomeno Barrett stands between the sticks.

This season’s new arrivals; former North East Stars players Carey Harris and Abassi Mc Pherson, national Futsal player Kwesi Peterson, Sean Cooper formerly of Futgof have served to further strengthen the team.

The club’s administration is happy with the work that Mc Commie has been putting in and has put its utmost trust in his ability to pick the right team.

This trust has been repaid as the club has done the unthinkable, win a trophy while in the rebuilding process a feat for which Mc Commie does not take full responsibility.

Mc Commie enthusiastically name checks the members of his technical staff; assistant coach Walt “Salty” Noreiga, who he describes as a tremendous help, operations manager Joseph “Sam” Phillip, equipment manager, physiotherapists Wayne Lawson and Victor O’Brien and Junior Phillip.

Joe Public F.C’s synergy is evident even in its casual moments, this great sense of ease has oft been transferred to the pitch where Mc Commie prefers his charges to play an attractive brand of football.

By all indications the club’s board made an inspired decision to appoint Mc Commie as coach of what he calls “the club people love to hate.”

Mc Commie wore the club colours from 1998 to 2001 and then again in 2003 when he returned as a player/coach and it is evident that he understands what is required of the club on all levels.

Before heading off to conduct his team’s Friday training session Mc Commie mulls over the inability of it’s past administrators to reap the rewards of being part of an organisation of its calibre.

One thing is evident though, much like his strikers, Mc Commie is not about to squander his opportunity choosing instead to go at it as though he’ll never get a second chance.

Lion’s walk
Joe Public’s journey to the 2005 Sportworld National Super League Knock-Out crown.


2 vs Police 1 (Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya)
3 vs Angostura 1976 F.C Phoenix 0 (Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya)
2 vs Stokely Vale 0 (Dwight Yorke Sadium, Bacolet, Tobago)
3 vs Wasa 0 (Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo)