Dundee open to offers for Kelvin Jack.

By Robert Thomson (The Scotsman).
06-Jan-2006 - Dundee manager Alan Kernaghan will let World Cup-bound goalkeeper Kelvin Jack leave if an offer comes in. The Dens Park club also expect to lose winger Iain Anderson to St Mirren.
Jack, 30, is under contract until the end of the season but such is Kernaghan's desire to re-shape his squad he will let the Trinidadian go if it frees up space to bring in his own men.
Jack was on the verge of the sack last November after failing to return on time from international duty but was given a reprieve.
But it seems that following the emergence of teenage keeper Scott Murray and Derek Soutar's imminent return from injury, Jack will be allowed to leave.
Kernaghan said: "I'm open to offers for almost everyone, apart from the kids. I actually think Kelvin has been doing really well but Scott Murray has the jersey now and Derek Soutar is not far away from coming back."
Anderson was expected to complete a move to St Mirren last night while Gavin Swankie is close to agreeing a loan deal with Forfar.
"Ando has never really shown the form we all know he's capable of," said Kernaghan. "Maybe moving clubs is the best thing for him. He's a Glasgow boy and a change of scenery will do him good." Kernaghan has now registered as a player himself.

Keeper Jack fined by Scottish club.

Julien Neaves (Express).
22-Nov-2005 - Dundee manager Alan Kernaghan has threatened the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) with a complaint to FIFA and separate plane trips and fees for Kelvin Jack after the goalkeeper missed Saturday's game away to Ross County.
Kernaghan refused Jack time off from his domestic duties and ordered him to play for the Scottish First Division club on Saturday at Ross County although the international custodian would have flown 38 hours and played twice within a week.
A delayed BWIA flight to London on Friday evening meant that Jack missed his connection to Scotland on Saturday, though.
Kernaghan accepted his excuse although he still fined the player nearly $20,500.
He had stern words for the T&TFF.
"We'll be raising the matter with the Trinidad FA," Kernaghan told the Scottish Sun. "We have to get the information from them first then, we have to go through the SFA here I think first. That could then lead to a higher complaint with FIFA."
Kernaghan also suggested separate travel arrangements for Jack in the future.
"I think we'll have to go down the Rangers route and do it all ourselves and just send them the bill," he said. "I've seen it myself when I was with the Republic (of Ireland) and Manchester United used to send the private jet for (Roy) Keane and (Denis) Irwin... It'll make sure it won't happen again."
Kernaghan's stance was typical of the Scotland's approach to their Trinidad and Tobago employees. Falkirk's Russell Latapy, St Johnstone's Jason Scotland and Glasgow Rangers' Marvin Andrews all represented their Scottish clubs on Saturday, with Jack the only absentee.
In contrast, Gillingham defender Ian Cox was the only one from eight England-based Trinidad and Tobago players to be fielded on Saturday.
Kernaghan, who is in his first season as a manager, saw Dundee concede 12 goals in their last five matches without Jack, including Saturday's 3-0 loss at Ross County.
Dundee, who were relegated from the Scottish Premiership last season under Jim Duffy, now lie in sixth spot on the ten-team table. Jack joined Dundee after a spell with English club Reading, having previously played with T&T clubs San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection and Doc's Khelwalaas.

Beenhakker gave us belief, says Jack.

By: FIFAworldcup.com.
17-Nov-2005 - As the minutes counted down on Trinidad and Tobago's quest for a place at their first-ever FIFA World Cup™, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack was the centre of attention as Bahrain made every effort to resurrect their own hopes of appearing in Germany next year.

First Bahrain striker Hussain Ali Baba dispossessed the goalkeeper while he was taking a goal-kick, slipping the ball into the net only to be penalised for the offence. Then the Dundee-based keeper flung himself high to his left to make a stunning stop in the dying seconds that preserved his team’s 2-1 aggregate lead. The final whistle blew moments later and T&T began celebrating what Jack considers "an unbelievable achievement" and one for which much of the credit must go to their coach Leo Beenhakker.

FIFAworldcup.com: That was a fantastic save right at the end.
Kevin Jack: It was just one of those things, it is the reward for all the hard work and one of those things you work on in training. It just happened to happen in this game. God was with me, to be honest, so we are going to the World Cup!

What does qualifying for the FIFA World Cup mean to Trinidad and Tobago?
It's an unbelievable achievement for a country our size. A lot of players never, ever qualify for the World Cup, that's the reality of it. To have the chance to play in the World Cup and to get the chance to experience that happiness, then sometimes you have to take it.

How much of the credit for this achievement do you give to your coach Leo Beenhakker?
I can't give enough credit to Leo Beenhakker. He has brought a level of professionalism and a level of belief, actually. He gave us that belief that we could compete at this level, that we could compete with the likes of Mexico and the US and the rest of the group. I think Trinidad have got better as the campaign has gone by.

What exactly did Beenhakker change to get such good results?
He changed the mind-set of the players and psychologically he made us believe that we can be a better team and all of the players took that on board and were able to produce that on the pitch. Not every game we did well but he brought that fighting spirit, that tactical awareness and that self-belief that we could do this.

What do you think will be knock-on effects for the game in Trinidad now that you have qualified for the World Cup?
It's only going to be positive. There are a lot of good footballers in Trinidad and because of where in the world we are situated it's difficult sometimes for Trinidadians to get a break in Europe, so hopefully this World Cup qualification will be a showcase for us and will open the door for many more Trinidadians.

Q&A with Kelvin Jack.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
30-Aug-2005 - Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack is by no means ready to let the disappointment of having to play in a lower division this season deter him from extending his best hand in goal either for country or club.
The strong-body custodian got kudos from all ends following his gutsy display in last week’s 1-0 loss to the USA and he feels his current form should make it harder for opposing teams to score now, even while playing for Dundee in the Scottish First Division.
“It was a very difficult game overall and it started with the early goal. That goal left me shell shocked and I must admit I was really nervous after that,” Jack said. “Then I thought I saw McBride coming at the corner of my eye so I was in two minds whether to hit one time or touch and then play out and the ball ended up going straight to Donovan. I knew I had to close him down. From then on, apart from Dennis’ sending off, we got into the match but it wasn’t enough on the night,” Jack said.
“Overall I would always feel I could do better but we could have conceded more when you see that were weren’t scoring and some guys came up big defensive wise for us. It’s disappointing but definitely a showing we can take something out of for the remaining matches.”
Jack boasts of the fact that he has never played at the Championship level of local Secondary Schools Football and can stand proud today and be accounted as one of the country’s top professional players.
Jack began playing for playing for Trincity United Sports and Cultural Club at age 10. Being a student of Holy Cross College he graduated and went on to o Yavapai College where he spent two years and described it as a “healthy and maturing experience”. “It taught me a lot about responsibility.
He then moved back home and joined Doc’s Khelwalaas in the inaugural season of the Professional Football League in 1999 before he moved to CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh.
Known as a serious competitor on the pitch, Jack also refuses to think that some may be intimidated by him off the playing park as well.
“Well everyone will have their opinion but most of my teammates would say that I’m a complete clown off the pitch. As long as I step on to that greens whether for game or training, I turn into different man,”

Q&A with Kelvin.

1.What’s your most memorable moment or match, whether for country or Club?
Making my national senior team debut in Palo Seco in 1999. It was a friendly. Edgar Vidale was the coach. And of course winning the Pro League with CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in 2002.

2. Name two persons, whether relative or not who have been an inspiration to you.
Arthur “Jap”Brown my coach at first club, Trincity United and of course my family, my girlfriend Shelly who has always supported me. My best friend Jason Farmer.

3. Any favourite player or team?
Jean-Marie Pfaff from Belgium.

4.What would be your preferred other profession.
A Doctor.

5. What do you hope to accomplish either in next 5 years or end of playing career.
To become T&T’s greatest ever goalkeeper. And to play in the World Cup.

6. Who’s been among your most admired coaches and why?
I would have to say Terry Fenwick because of his tactical brilliance and the high standards he sets for his team. And  “Jap”Brown. Also Leo Beenhakker …. very impressive thus far.

7. What do you think of T&T’s chances of making it to the 2006 World Cup.
Think we have an excellent chance with hard work and persistence, we shall make it.

8. Any instances or plays that you always reflect on.
I usually try to think positive thoughts because I believe when you do that, there’s only one answer -  a positive performance.
 
9. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Always believe in yourself from the late Arthur Brown.

10.What do you do to relax away from the game.
Spend time with my girlfriend and watch movies.
 
11.What’s your favorite dish?
Macaroni Pie, stew chicken and Roti.

12.Favourite drink?
Water.

13. Favorite time of year?
Christmas.

14.Most comfortable football boot and gloves?
Adidas x-trx softground, Selsport.

15.What was the high point for you this season as well as the low point.
Low point was the terrible time I had with injuries and high point is just being able to play again.

16.Favourite music?
Soca.

17. Favourite teammate"
Love working with Shaka just because we always bounce ideas of each other and we have similar ideas of goalkeeping, he’s that sort of guy and his experience is valuable.

"Kelvin" Jack in the box.

By Lasana Liburd (Express).
25-Aug-2005 - "To be a good goalkeeper, you need to have complete belief in your ability and yourself," said Trinidad and Tobago and Dundee goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. "And you can only get that by training hard and being totally at ease with your own game because it is a very lonely position.
"For example, you will never see a striker put his hand up if a goal scores through his own goalkeeper's legs even if the play broke down when he lost the ball. Who would they blame? The goalkeeper is always to blame.
"That is the nature of the position and you have to be a strong character to deal with it."
In a sport built on scoring rather than preventing goals, most goalkeepers have their gloves forced upon them. A youth team coach might have forced them between the uprights because they were taller than their teammates or awful in every other position.
The 29-year-old Jack may be one of the strangest in a weird bunch. As Trinidad and Tobago tuned into the televised 1982 World Cup and mesmerised children declared an affinity with Italian top goal scorer Paulo Rossi, Brazilian attacker Zico or Argentine midfield playmaker Diego Maradona, a six-year-old Jack chose English and Belgian goalkeepers Ray Clemence and Jean-Marie Pfaff respectively as his idols.
"I loved the sound of Ray Clemence's name and that attracted me to the position," said the Scotland-based custodian, with a laugh. "I also remember Jean-Marie Pfaff wore a bright yellow kit and I fell in love with it."
His rise in the game, thereafter, was steady and sure; more a testament to hard work than freakish fortune.
On September 3, Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker will face his toughest job in charge of the national team when T&T tackle Guatemala in a decisive World Cup qualifier.
Beenhakker's use of team captain and ex-Manchester United star, Dwight Yorke, as well as all-time leading scorer and Coventry City forward, Stern John, will be issues for national debate.
Jack, almost certainly, will start in goal with minimal fuss. It is a notable achievement considering that the goalkeeping position is the most hotly contested berth in the squad with the likes of Shaka Hislop, the country's most successful export, and multiple Caribbean Goalkeeper of the Year, Clayton Ince, in reserve.
Remarkably, in a rare moment of self-doubt, Jack nearly conceded the fight for the number one shirt before it began as he was mentally drained by an injury ravished 2004/05 season when Beenhakker initially invited him to stake his claim.
"I was not going to take the invitation," said Jack, who played just five times for Dundee last term. "Last season was a nightmare for me. It was the first time in my career that I ever had so many injuries and it affects your self-confidence because you start wondering if you could just get back to your best level straight away.
"I only had two reserve games as preparation (before the World Cup qualifier against Panama) and I wondered if it was sufficient preparation. I also wondered if I should rest through the summer to get my body right after a serious injury.
"But, at the last minute, I decided to go."
The six-foot-three and 215-lb goalie might remember his decision to rejoin the national team in June as a pivotal point in his career.
Jack beat Ince to a starting place in the qualifier against Panama, which Trinidad and Tobago won 2-0, and was already entrenched in the position by the time Hislop turned up at the July CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. He started in all six competitive matches under Beenhakker.
The ex-CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh custodian and Holy Cross College student credited the friendly rivalry for his form since inheriting the number one position.
"Trinidad has three other very good goalkeepers as well as young Duarance (Williams) who will eventually take over," said Jack. "So you know that to get the number one jersey, you have to be on top of your game for not just every minute of every game but of every training session too. I think that is only a positive thing.
"Everyone wants to be number one but, saying that, Shaka is a top pro and we talk a lot and always bounce things off each other so it is a very healthy rivalry."
Jack did not say it but, in some ways, his single-mindedness and work ethic might mirror his coach's intensity.
Beenhakker, who prefers points to panache, does not conform to the Dutch stereotype while Jack's obsession with punctuality and perspiration also seems at odds with the image of Trinidad and Tobago athletes.
"The comment about Trinidadians that most upsets me (in Britain) is that we are lazy," said Jack. "As a goalkeeper, I am very intense and work very hard. I am also very vocal because I think communication is crucial I don't play with a smile on my face because it is not in my personality.
"Although off the field, my friends usually say I am one of the biggest clowns around who likes to have fun and joke around and wind up people."
Jack is adamant that Trinidad and Tobago will qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany while he also set himself the target of leading the newly- relegated Dundee back into the Scottish Premier League (SPL).
He has already played four games for Dundee in the 2005/06 season and is yet to taste defeat while he picked up a Man of the Match award and was selected as the First Division's "Goalkeeper of the Week" by the Scottish Sun newspaper.
"The pace of the (First Division) game is frightening," said Jack. "From what I have seen so far, it is better than many people think and it is certainly quicker than the SPL. You have to be switched on all the time because it is end to end football.
"There is much more physical contact here and you can't come gracefully and take a ball in the air without someone challenging you. So you have to be strong physically and have an aggressive mindset." Jack, one thinks, has the tools for the job.

Latas, Jack are SPL All Stars.

By: Lasana Liburd (Express).
10-Aug-2005 - Former Trinidad and Tobago international captain Russell Latapy and national goalkeeper Kelvin Jack earned their first plaudits of the season from the Scottish media on Monday after fine weekend performances.
Latapy scored the opening goal for Falkirk in a 2-0 Scottish Premier League (SPL) win away to Livingston, while Jack made a string of crucial saves in Dundee's 3-2 Division One triumph at home to St Mirren.
Both men were credited with Man-of-the-Match performances for their employers while The Scottish Sun newspaper selected them on the weekend "All Star" teams of their respective decisions.
Latapy, a player/ coach at Falkirk, declined the chance to return to international duty in May to focus on his own future as a coach. But it is still as a player that he is most useful to Falkirk.
The Sun suggested that he was the best playmaker in the SPL on Saturday, as they marked him with eight out of ten.
Jack got a similar score for Dundee in his second outing of the season. The former CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper kept a clean sheet on the opening day but had a torrid time against a plucky St Mirren team.
"The pace of the game (in the First Division) is frightening," he told the Daily Express. "From what I saw on Saturday, it is better than many people think you have to be switched on all the time because it is constant end to end stuff."
Jack played only five games last season as he suffered a succession of injuries while Dundee slumped to demotion from the SPL. But he is anxious for a more positive time in his second season in the British professional game.
"Last year was a nightmare for me," said Jack. "It was the first time in my career that I had so many injuries but I expect Dundee to get promoted back to the SPL this season and I have set myself a target of playing 40 games at the very least."
His former Dundee teammate, Brent Sancho, is set to move south of the Scottish border subject to a work permit approval after agreeing terms with English League One club, Gillingham.
The British Home Office has been unkind to Trinidad and Tobago players of late.
Collin Samuel was denied a work permit to join England League Two outfit, Scunthorpe, from Dundee United in January, while his United and international teammate, Jason Scotland, was turned down last month.
Agent Mike Berry, who is representing Sancho, suggested that T&T players have been stung by the Home Office's decision to consider the Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament as equally important to the World Cup qualifiers.
Former national coach Bertille St Clair selected a completely local squad for the Caribbean tournament, which was ten games-just one shy of the 11 World Cup qualifiers over the past two years. It means that none of T&T's overseas pros have played the required 75 per cent of their country's international matches in the past two years.
"The pros who played in the World Cup qualifiers will struggle to get work permits now because they didn't play in the Digicel Cup," said Berry. "And the locals who played in the Digicel Cup will also struggle because they didn't play in the World Cup qualifiers."
However, Sancho should still qualify for a work permit since he was injured for nine of the ten Cup games and was unavailable for selection in any case. He is expected to get a decision before the end of the week.

Kelvin Jack keen on Brighton move.

By Brian Owen.
22-Jul-2005 - Kelvin Jack wants to move a step closer to his Premiership dream with Albion. The Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper had an untroubled debut as the Seagulls cantered to a 2-0 friendly win at Bognor last night.
Jack still has a year left on his contract with Dundee but was cleared for a trial after being recommended by former West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. He can go a step towards making the move more permanent by impressing in Saturday's run out at Colchester United.
Jack, fresh from playing in the Gold Cup with his country, said: "Shaka is a good mate of mine. He suggested I come here and see how it goes. It's a good opportunity and I decided to grasp it with both hands.
"Shaka has set the standard for goalkeepers in Trinidad and Tobago. He's the only goalkeeper to play in the Premiership so far and that's an achievement for a small country like ours.
"England is the place to play football. It's the most exciting league in the world and a move south would definitely appeal to me."
Jack has been working with Seagulls goalkeeping coach John Keeley and manager Mark McGhee said: "He wasn't asked any questions last night. I think it will be different at Colchester."
Jack's compatriot and former Dundee colleague Brent Sancho should play in defence at Layer Road after missing last night's game with a hamstring strain.

Trails of Jack.

Playing Away With: Lasana Liburd in the UK.
28-Oct-2004 - "It has been a nightmare," said Dundee goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, as he summarised his Scottish Premier League career thus far.
Not quite the viewpoint you would expect from someone who has spent the majority of his life dreaming of playing in Britain.
For the past nine months, the 28-year-old Trinidad and Tobago custodian has lived out of a suitcase and spent more time at airport departure lounges than he would care to remember as he shuffled from club to club on trial.
But that was the easy part.
At least he was playing then.
Life in the Dundee physiotherapist's room is not what Jack had in mind when he signed professional forms in September and he is struggling to stay positive.
Dundee manager Jim Duffy tried to allay his fears by assuring his recruit that he had the better part of his two-year contract left to prove himself. Yet Jack cannot help but feel agitated.
Two days after signing, he severely damaged ligaments in his left toe.
It kept him out for three weeks and was followed by a tendon problem with his left knee-which he picked up on international duty for T&T away to St Kitts-and now a suspected hernia.
Because the club has only two first team goalkeepers on its books, Jack is still obliged to turn out on match day and sit on the bench but he is no closer to adding to his lone SPL appearance.
"The most frustrating thing for me is that the injuries I have had are not major injuries," said Jack. "It is just injuries which make training very uncomfortable and, as a result, I think I am searching for rhythm at present."
It might be a case of mistaking a few trees for a forest but Jack has learnt so many past lessons the hard way.
For the former CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh captain, there is a cloud with every silver lining.
As a schoolboy, his joy at passing his C.E. exams for Holy Cross College was tempered by the realisation that they did not play in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL).
There were football honours earned at Yavapai College, Arizona, where he won a football scholarship but they were in the United States National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Major League Soccer (MLS) scouts favoured the more prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a talent pool and Jack opted for a return to the local Pro League rather than beating his way through the US backwater divisions.
At Doc's Khelwalaas and Jabloteh, he established himself among the top home-based goalkeepers but for a variety of reasons-often non-sporting ones-he struggled to lay claim to the national number one jersey.
Former national manager Ian Porterfield dropped him for alleged indiscipline, Rene Simoes largely preferred to go with experience, Hannibal Najjar left him out after his role in an infamous "strike" while Stuart Charles-Fevrier was initially put off by his debatable tag as an arrogant troublemaker.
Remarkably, Jack has accumulated 15 national caps-just one less than Portsmouth goalie Shaka Hislop-in spite of such slights after making his debut in 1997 and there are likely to be more to come as incumbent coach Bertille St Clair has warmed to the strapping shot blocker.
But Jack is guarded about his unhappy memories with the national team where he rarely enjoyed an unbroken run of appearances.
"In the years I was playing in the Pro League, I think I did very well," he said, "and I felt maybe I could have earned more caps. But that is in the past and I am looking towards the future now."
Like everything else in his career, Jack earned the right to a promising future by the sweat of his brow.
In January, after his contract with Jabloteh expired, he boarded a plane for Heathrow and decidedly more stimulating trials.
There were two weeks at Walsall, a day at Northampton, one week at Gillingham and another at Crystal Palace before he was finally offered a six-month deal at Reading with the club holding an option to keep him for a further year.
Twice, he had returned to Trinidad to finalise a work permit only for the first proposed deal to Gillingham to fall through. Manager Ian Dowie was interested to take him to Crystal Palace as well but again it fell through.
Fortuitously, the Palace goalkeeping coach pointed out the stumbling block to Hislop who quickly set Jack straight.
An intermediary-not his agent, Mike Berry-was asking clubs for a sizeable finder's fee in exchange for Jack's signature.
Jack got his act together in time for Reading but he was signed without first meeting manager Steve Coppell and there might have been political undertones when they waived an option to resign him in July.
"I had only spoken to the director of football who knew me from an earlier trial in 2000 when he was the goalkeeping coach," said Jack. "When my contract wasn't renewed, he called me in Trinidad to apologise for the situation and wish me good luck.
"For me that phone call was still a good indication, I felt that wouldn't have any problems finding another club."
After international duty away to South Korea, where he shone in a 1-1 draw, Jack returned to England at the request of third tier club, Oldham.
He played in two reserve matches and was called in to negotiate a deal by Oldham manager Brian Talbot as a back-up goalie but the wage offered was below what he felt he could live on.
It was a cold reality check.
"I felt that the way I played against (conference team) Newcastle Town and Leeds that money would not be an issue," he said. "When it didn't work out, I was absolutely gutted. After that disappointment, I was even considering quitting.
"The past few months had taken so much out of me mentally. Just the mental pressure of going in everyday on trial and knowing that you cannot afford to make a mistake.
"And I felt that at every club I went to I was fantastic and yet I still had no job."
He was depressed in his hotel room when his agent told him that Duffy was desperate for a goalie.
Ironically, Dundee had lost their number one Julian Speroni to Crystal Palace and Duffy remembered Jack from a winter break tour of Trinidad while his compatriot Brent Sancho also gave a glowing recommendation.
He signed within two days.
Then came the stream of injuries.
"Being honest with myself," he said, "I know I cannot put in a genuine challenge for the goalkeeping position because physically I am not right. But, when I am fit, I have no doubt that I will be number one and hopefully that will be soon."
His solitary appearance in a free scoring 4-4 draw has already earned him the mixed distinction of being the SPL's lone custodian of African descent although Jack is unsure about what to make of that.
"To be honest, I don't really think about it," said Jack. "But having it brought to my attention it is probably an achievement in itself and hopefully it will open the way for other black keepers."
His focus, though, is on his job for Dundee.
"I want to show the manager what I can do and repay the faith he showed in me," he said. "And, of course, I want to be the undisputed number one and the first name on the manager's team sheet."
Jack is just as dedicated to help Trinidad and Tobago to the 2006 World Cup in Germany and insists the team stands an excellent chance of advancing.
"I think we have a lot of good players playing at a good level," said Jack, "and, as long as we become a team that is difficult to beat, we will cause some problems in the Concacaf region.
"Surely we can at least finish fourth (and secure a play off spot) in the six team tournament although we will be aiming much higher."
It will not be easy for the "Soca Warriors".
But then Jack is used to that.

Keeper Kelvin Jack signs with Dundee in Scotland.

T&T Guardian Reports.
28-Jul-2004 - National goalkeeper Kelvin Jack is expected to join defender Brent Sancho at Dundee in the Scottish Football League.
The players’ manager Englishman Mike Berry said yesterday that 27-year-old Jack signed a two-year contract and will be arriving in Scotland on the weekend for pre-season training.
Berry said Jack is a quality goalkeeper and could be rated in the same class as countrymen Shaka Hislop and Clayton Ince, both of whom play in the English League.
Dundee manager Jim Duffy said he was happy to sign a quality keeper like Jack, who had a short stint with the reserve team last season and helped them to win the Pontins Holiday Combination League Championship.
The former CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh captain spent the last week on trial with Oldham of the English First Division and became Berry’s 12th signing from T&T.
Berry said he hopes to secure Jack’s work permit by Friday so he can get on with his pro career.
Two days ago, Oldham manager Brian Talbot said the club had failed to agree on a deal with the T&T ‘keeper, inspite of good performances against Leeds United and Newcastle Town. “In the two games he played, he couldn’t have done a lot more.
You’ve got to ask yourself, is he a number one or a number two ‘keeper and I think, if we’re being honest, you’d say he was a number one,” said Talbot.

Kelvin Jack fails to win a contract at Oldham.

oldhamathletic.co.uk.
27-Jul-2004 - Latics manager Brian Talbot's search for a back-up keeper to Les Pogliacomi continues after the club failed to agree a deal with triallist Kelvin Jack.
The Trinidad and Tobago stopper spent last week with Latics appearing in the pre-season friendlies against Newcastle Town and Leeds United and looked impressive in both outings.
Boss Talbot said: "He did very well, to be fair in the 2 games he played he couldn't have done a lot more. You've got to ask yourself is he a number 1 or a number 2 keeper and I think if we're being honest, you'd say he was a number 1. While it would be nice to have 2 'keepers of a number 1 standard, finances dictate things and we were unable to agree terms with Kelvin."
The Latics boss has already lined up another 'keeper to take a look at with 24 year old David Forde, a young Irish goalkeeper recently released by West Ham United joining Latics on trial this week.

Kelvin Jack on trial at Oldham.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
21-Jul-2004 - National goalkeeper Kelvin Jack has accepted an invitation to go on trial with English Second Division club Oldham Athletic and has been in training with the club since his arrival back in England on the weekend. Jack was outstanding in goal for T&T in last week's 1-1 draw with South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and is now looking forward to securing a deal in England after a stint with Reading FC last season.
"This is another good opportunity for me and I am hoping I can make a good impression and secure a contract. That's the main thing on my mind now," Jack said. "The past season with Reading was a good one for me, a learning one. I played several games for the Reserve team and I was on the fringe of breaking into the first team but that's now in the past and I have to move on." Reflecting on the match against Korea in which he let up a soft goal, he added. "These things happen and while it was disappointing, I still felt that I had a decent game and hats off to the rest of the guys too. Hopefully we can maintain this momentum."

Kelvin Jack joins T&T pros in England.

T&T Guardian Reports.
22-Mar-2004 - Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack has joined the long list of Trinidad and Tobago footballers playing professionally in England and Europe. Jack, aged 27, will be wearing the colours of Reading in the English First Division, having signed a contract yesterday.
Jack, whose contract with local club CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh ended at the conclusion of the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League’s last season, also had a choice of joining Crystal Palace. The player’s agent, Allan Berry, said yesterday that both Reading and Crystal Palace offered Jack a contract and he (Jack) prefered Reading.
Berry said that it will be a great opportunity for another talented Trinidad and Tobago player to make his name in England. “It is up to Kelvin to do his bit now,” he said.
“To be fair, he (Jack) is a true professional and has worked very hard on his trials in England and deserves a chance,” Berry added. Two years ago, Reading offered Jack a contract following a trial there but he could not take up the offer because of a work permit problem. “The club had been monitoring Jack over the last two years and is satisfied with his performances,” said Berry, who noted that Reading is a top club with fantastic facilities. Within the last three months, Jack also had trials with other First Division clubs Walsall and Gillingham. Agent Berry praised FIFA vice president Jack Warner and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation secretary Richard Groden for acting speedily in assisting with references and the work permit application for Jack.
“Without Jack and Groden’s help, it would not have been possible to get through that quickly,” said Berry, who has also been responsible for getting pro contracts for Trinidadians Brent Sancho (Dundee), Jason Scotland (Dundee United), Dennis Lawrence, Hector Sam and Carlos Edwards (Wrexham) and Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexandra). Speaking yesterday from his Trincity home, Jack confirmed his obvious delight with the news of his having sealed the contract. “I am just eager to go out there and do well and establish myself in the Reading first team.
“I will continue to work hard and will like to thank Berry, Terry Fenwick, Richard Fakoory and all the other people who have suppoprted me in my career.” Jack, who will fly out tomorrow, also said that he enjoyed his stint with Jabloteh. “I really enjoyed my three seasons with Jabloteh and loved working with Fenwick, Ricky Hill, Jerry Hospedales and Dennis Phillip — just to name a few,” Jack said.
Director of Football Nick Hammond told Reading FC website: "Taking Kelvin Jack until the end of the season allows us to make a more informed judgement." "He's impressed in training, but you need to see goalkeepers in game situations, see how they read the game and control their penalty area. "That kind of thing is very difficult to reproduce in training, so taking him now allows us to play him in reserve team and maybe even first team games." Jack will not be in contention for Saturday's trip to Coventry as Jamie Ashdown retains his place with Jamie Young on the bench. First choice keeper Marcus Hahnemann is out for another four weeks. Kelvin has joined the Royals from San Juan Jabloteh FC in Trinidad. With his contract having ended in January 2004 Jack is a free agent and can sign outside the international transfer window. Jack will take squad number 22.
He told Reading World, “Crystal Palace and Gillingham both offered me something, but I was here at Reading on trial a couple of years ago and I was really impressed with what’s happening here.
“I like the people here and the way Nick Hammond the goalkeeping coach operates. I think it’s a club that can really push on and become something good in the Premiership.”
Kelvin also spoke of his delight at sealing a move to England, and hopes it will help develop his career. “It’s brilliant, I’ve been looking forward to this day. I’ve been very eager to come out here and now I’m looking to do well for Reading Football Club and its supporters.”
The 27 year-old also admitted that he’s hoping to mount a stronger challenge to former Royals favourite Shaka Hislop for the place between the sticks for Trinidad & Tobago.
“At the moment Shaka is Trinidad’s number one and if I’m playing in Trinidad it’s extremely difficult to try to take the jersey. In England there’s more chance for me to develop as a keeper and challenge for international honours.”

Kelvin Jack now at Northampton.

By Shaun Fuentes.
28-Jan-2004 - CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper Kelvin Jack is now on trial at English Third Division club Northampton Town. The big custodian is coming off what was a relatively impressive trial at First Division side Walsall, but word is that conditions were not agreed upon and Jack is now seeking a deal elsewhere.
Through his agent Mike Berry and former Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick, attempts are being made to get Jack contracted in the United Kingdom. During his final trial game at Walsall, he was a standout in goal and has been attracting interest from a couple other clubs as well.
He was expected to line up against Luton Town and will continue to train with the club’s first team. “We believe that Kelvin is of a very high standard and should be playing here. All attempts are being made to get him a good deal,” said Fenwick.

Kelvin Jack impresses Walsall manager.

By Shaun Fuentes.
14-Jan-2004 - Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack closed in on obtaining a contract with English First Division club Walsall following a good showing during his first week of trial.
Word is that manager Colin Lee is impressed with what Jack has offered and a deal is likely to be made. Confirming this was former San Juan Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick who was behind Jack’s trial in conjunction with the local club and agent Mike Berry.
“Kelvin has been very impressive and manager Colin Lee has indicated that he likes what he has seen so far,” Fenwick said. “We are hoping that a contract will be offered sometime within the next two weeks.” Fenwick also revealed that three other players from Jabloteh will be in England on trials soon, including Cornell Glenn who is likely to be at an unnamed First Division club at the end of the local season. Fenwick has been attempting to get offers for these and other players over the past months. In related news, Jabloteh duo Nigel Pierre and Keyeno Thomas are expected to head out for trials in China soon. Currently, local striker Gary Glasgow and St Lucian Earl Jean are attached to Chinese clubs.

Kelvin Jack tries to join pro list.

By Nigel Simon - T&T Guardian.
06-Jan-2004 - Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack seems set to join the list of Trinidad and Tobago footballers playing professionally in England. The CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh custodian is due to fly to England tomorrow for a trial with Walsall, a Division One team.
Jack, aged 28, is awaiting word from his agent, Mike Berry, but confirmed that his flight has been booked for tomorrow. He was originally due to travel today but was suffering from back spasms after training three days ago. The injury has been closely monitored and Jack said yesterday that he is not having the pains anymore and is ready for the trial.
Because of the injury, Jack did not stand between the uprights for Jabloteh in the club’s 3-2 win over Arima Fire on Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
His agent, Berry, has been responsible for arranging professional contracts for several T&T players, among them Hector Sam, Dennis Laurence, Carlos Edwards (Wrexham) and ‘keeper Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexander).
Walsall got eliminated from the FA on Sunday, going down 1—2 to Millwall in a third round tie.
Jack, whose contract with Jabloteh expired at the end of last year, has been in and out of the national senior squad over the past couple of years.
His English born coach at Jabloteh, Ricky Hill, said yesterday that Jack is a very capable goalkeeper who has good size, very sound technique and excellent agility.
“As all players like to do when their contracts come to an end, Jack is looking to further his own individual career and experiences by seeking the opportunity abroad,” said Hill. “I really believe he is one who is capable of playing in England or in any other league.
“I wish him a safe journey and everyone at the club is hoping that things work out particularly well for him,” Hill added.
Walsall manager Colin Lee is in search of a 'keeper and will have a closer look at Jack over the next few days. Currently, first choice 'keeper James Walker is about to begin serving a three match ban and second strike goalie Aaron Kerr is recovering from a wrist injury. Walsall are using Leeds United's Shaun Allaway who is on loan until the end of January.
The towering Jack said he is aiming at giving his best shot at the trial. 
"This is what every professional footballer's dream is and you work hard everytime you go on the field hoping that an opportunity like this comes your way," Jack said on Monday. "I have been on the sidelines with an injury for the past few weeks but I have recovered and I'm fit again just in time for this trial so I expect to g there and give it my best shot. Hopefully something good will work out this time."

Kelvin Jack disappointed at exclusion.

By Lasana Liburd.
7-Jul-2003 - CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh technical advisor and head coach Ricky Hill sent an appeal to Trinidad and Tobago national coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier last Friday evening on behalf of two of his senior players.
Hill, a former Luton Town standout and one of the first players of African descent to represent England, believes his team captain and goalkeeper Kelvin Jack and offensive midfielder Otis Seaton—or Aurtis Whitley—are good bets for the international game.
Jack, who has compiled just ten caps with 13 goals conceded over the past six years, last represented Trinidad and Tobago in a 2-0 defeat to Honduras at the CONCACAF Gold Cup playoffs on April 25.
The six-foot four, 220-pound shotblocker received the number one jersey from former national coach Hannibal Najjar, who gave him his first international competitive cap.
Ironically, Jack was among a group of players subsequently dropped by Najjar after walking out on a national squad practise session in protest at the training conditions.
He was capped twice by interim coach Zoran Vranes after Najjar's resignation but has not earned a call up since Fevrier took the post on May 15.
The 27-year-old custodian believes that he should be a shoo-in.
“I am stunned,” said Jack, in a statement to the Express. “I do not want to sound conceited but I am the best keeper that plays local football and I think that I prove that to everyone whenever Jabloteh play.
“I am not being disrespectful to the other keepers on the national team because there are some good young goalkeepers around... But I really do think I am number one.”
Hill, who has taken Jabloteh five points clear of the Pro League pack, defended his number one pick.
“Without a doubt, Jack is right up there and probably the best I have seen in terms of local keepers,” said Hill. “He has been outstanding for us this season. Sometimes he can be even too focused because he pushes himself very hard and is very critical of himself.”
He also gave a glowing recommendation for the talented Seaton, who he feels can fill the problematic role behind the two strikers on the senior squad.
“You will be hard-pressed to find someone more suited to the playmaker role than Otis,” said Hill.
Seaton made his international debut in 2000 under Scotsman Ian Porterfield but only managed three caps in the two years since that meaningless World Cup qualifier against Panama.
His last appearance was on January 22, 2002 when Brazilian coach Rene Simoes' outfit lost 1-0 to Martinique in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Hill hopes that both players soon emerge from the international wilderness.
Jack explained that there were “rumours” that he was difficult to work with but denied he was a troublemaker.
Again, Hill supported his captain, who he referred to as “a leader on and off the field”.
But Fevrier refused to be drawn into a public debate on the issue and recommended that the player seek a private audience with him.
“I do not want to set a precedent,” said Fevrier, “where I use the media as a mediator with my players.
“Every player thinks he is the best in his position but it is the coach's opinion that counts.”
The “Soca Warriors” should be in action again in early September when they hope to play at least two internationals in Morocco.

Kelvin Jack likely for Aston Villa.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
23-Aug-2002 - Englishman Terry Fenwick is hopeful of getting CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper Kelvin Jack on a trial with English Premiership club Aston Villa.
"It's obvious that Kelvin is now one of the frontline goalkeepers in the country now and quite a few clubs have shown interest in him recently. He's been to England already and now we are hopeful that he can be out at Aston Villa within the next month. But at the same time we also want him here to help us win the Professional League title. In saying this, we also want to give the players the chance to go abroad and play the game," Fenwick told TTFF Media.
He added that Jabloteh players Cornell Glen and Devon Mitchell will also be off to Holland soon to play in a football festival taking place there where several clubs will be looking at them including a couple from Scotland which asked to be unnamed until further notice.

Reading FC move closer to sign Kelvin Jack.

Alan Pardew will cast a close eye over trialist Kelvin Jack this week with a view to offering him him a permanent move to English football.
The Trinidad and Tobago star arrived at the Madejski Stadium last week at the start of a two-week trial and has been very impressed with his initial impressions of Reading.
The giant goalkeeper was present to see The Royals dump Premiership side West Ham out of the Worthington Cup last week and is looking forward to the challenge of trying to earn himself a full-time move to the Second Division.
Pardew is keen to strengthen his squad in all positions and knows there is room for one more experienced goalkeeper on the staff with Scott Howie having been released in the summer when his contract expired.
Jack looks certain to consult West Ham's former Reading goalkeeper and compatriot Shaka Hislop for advice on a possible move.
But the one thing that the goalkeeper will want if he is offered a deal by The Royals is the chance to play regular first-team football.
Jack said: "I saw Reading play on Tuesday and was very impressed. They worked hard and showed a lot of commitment.
"I would the like the opportunity to play in England but I would not want to be second best although Phil Whitehead is a good solid keeper."

 

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