A local football giant in their own right—CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh is not mincing words this season—and their Head Coach former English International Terry Fenwick is looking forward to a bigger and better year, than the club enjoyed in 2005.
Fenwick was brought back to the San Juan based club in the middle of the last season, after Jabloteh got off to a shaky start, spending the first part of the season in the bottom half of the standings.
Fenwick has made it clear, that last season he had to use the players that were on the roster and he made the best use of his resources, but come the 2006 season, the English born coach is promising his team will be a well oiled machine.
Jabloteh has taken a decision to go 100% local this season and Fenwick says this year he has been able to bring in the players he feels can get the job done, “I have had the time to hand pick the necessary players that I feel can make a significant difference and will make us stronger as a team and I really believe we can win all the honours this coming season.”
Fenwick says he has made a thorough search locally and he firmly believes, from what he has seen of the local players—they have what it takes to compete at the highest level—and he says Jabloteh’s mission is to continue producing players that can make the national team.
The English coach is not overly concerned about some of the teams in the league who are bringing in Brazilians, Colombians, and Jamaicans.
“I am confident we can win the league, and we will be going after all the knockout competitions, I know it won’t be easy, because I am sure that some of the teams will be better prepared this year—I am aware there are lot of foreigners coming into the various teams, but we are very organized this year, our boys are fit and we are well prepared—so bring them on we are ready,” said Fenwick.
The core of Jabloteh’s squad from last season returns, but this year experienced captain Angus Eve, who recently retired from International football will not be in the ranks as a player—and the man likely to take the captain’s arm band is midfielder Kerry Baptiste.
The head coach admits Angus’ leadership qualities will be missed, but he says, “At this stage of his career I don’t think he has 90 minutes of football in him, he is a great guy and his focus now will be coaching the young players at the club—but we have young guys that will step up in his place.”
However, Fenwick has brought in six to seven new players, which he thinks will make a difference in his squad this year. Fenwick says, “I now have competition for every place in the squad, and that will only bring out the best in my players,” the Englishman, is looking forward to some of his senior players stepping up their performances—“As far as I am concerned, the likes of Aurtis Whitley, Trent Noel, Kerry Baptiste and Cyd Gray needs to step it up, because this year we have some youngsters coming in that will certainly be putting pressure on these guys—and that will guarantee me better performances from some of the older players and that’s great for Jabloteh.”
Jabloteh has signed Anton Wolfe and Glenton Wolfe from North East Stars this season, National midfielder Brent Rahim as well as former National striker Peter Prosper has joined the ranks. Young talented midfielder Keston Pierre from North East Stars has also come on board.
Fenwick is particularly excited about the signing of Anton Wolfe, saying, “He epitomizes what a striker is—he just loves to score goals, I am working on a couple weaknesses in his game—but I think he is a wonderful player.”
“As for Brent Rahim, I think he is hard worker, but I believe his game has suffered because he has been playing in the lower Leagues in England and Scotland, where the standard of play is just fast and furious with little quality—but I plan to work on him and see him improve—I believe he is a quality player that just needs sharpening, and I think he is a great addition to the squad,” says Fenwick.
Commenting on the 35 year old striker Peter Prosper, the Jabloteh Head Coach, says, “I was delightfully surprised when I saw him in pre-season, he is a big strong guy, a great header of the ball, he still has a hunger to score goals, and I am looking forward to his contribution this season”
The Jabloteh boss, is generally a very satisfied man and feels that his troops got the best possible preparation for what will be another long season—“We have had three intense weeks of preparation, a string of practice games, where we have won, 5-0, 7-1, 11-1 and 6-1, and while I am a bit concerned about the couple goals we have been giving away, I am pleased with what I have seen, I believe we are the best footballing team in the League, and I sincerely believe Jabloteh is the team to beat this season.”
Team Profile
Coach— Terry Fenwick
Assistant Coach— Michael Grayson
2004 Achievements
Placed 2nd in the League competition,
F.A. Cup Champions and Pro Bowl Champions.
Last Season’s Top Goal Scorer— Josh Johnson and Kerry Noray—15 goals each
New Players— Anton Wolfe, Glenton Wolfe, Brent Rahim, Kestern Pierre, Michael Alexis and Peter Prosper
Registered Squad of Players
Captain- Kerry Baptiste
Goalkeepers— Daurance Williams, Brian James.
Defenders— Nigel Daniel, Ian Gray, Cyd Gray, Keyno Thomas, Karlon Murray and Ronald Primus.
Midfielders— Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Brent Rahim, Michael Alexis, Kestern Pierre, Aurtis Whitley, Glenton Wolfe and Trent Noel.
Forwards— Anton Wolfe, Peter Prosper, Jason Marcano