National strikers, Peter “Big Pete” Byers and Gayson “Bubbler” Gregory, who play professionally for San Juan Jabloteh in the Trinidad & Tobago Pro League, are in Antigua after the club reportedly breached its contracts with the players by refusing to pay for their housing.
According to reports, the players, who recently moved out of their old apartment into a new building, have been requested, by Jabloteh, to pay the difference in rent from their salaries although, according to their contracts, the club is responsible for all accommodations.
The players, after reportedly having a stand-off with the club, were asked by their agent and lawyer, Joyce Kentish, to return to Antigua until the matter is resolved. Until then, the players have vowed not to return to Trinidad. Byers, who was the TT Pro League’s top scorer for the 2007/8 season has been with Jablotec for two years now, while Gregory joined the team last season.
The players, who are still under contract, could not speak on the matter, but Byers’ mother, Rosemary Thomas, who is not thrilled with the situation, is happy that her son is home and safe.
“I really don’t like it, but I prefer that he is here until the matter is sorted out. Honestly, I really don’t want him to go back down there, but he loves football and I will stand behind him,” she told the Antigua Sun.
Both players are, however, currently staying match-fit by taking part in various community leagues. On Wednesday, Byers represented Young Leaders in the All Saints Community Football League while Gregory represented Next Chapter Cologne in the same competition.
The two players, who recently represented Antigua in their failed bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, appeared to be in good form with Gregory scoring a hat-trick to lead Cologne to a 6-0 victory over Sea View Farm.
Once the situation is sorted out by the players’ agent, they are expected to return to Trinidad where they will play out the remainder of the season but until then, the players are expected to remain here in Antigua.