With key defenders Seon Powers and Keyeno Thomas making the switch to Ma Pau SC during the Christmas holidays, Digicel Pro League champions Bmobile Joe Public were left with no choice but to hunt capable replacements ahead of the 2010 season.
Joe Public head coach Derek King confirmed this week the signing of 35 year-old Guyanese international Charles Pollard on a one year deal from Caledonia AIA as they attempt to fill gaps in defence left by Trinbagonians Powers and Thomas.
"Pollard has alot of experience and great leadership qualities that will help steady our defence this season,” said the five-title winning coach of 2009. “We have the CFU, then CONCACAF and domestic competitions ahead of us and we will need capable players such as Pollard.”
Joe Public also sealed a deal with released 24 year old Caledonia midfielder Marcus Ambrose for the 2010 season.
In addition, King was delighted to reveal that U-20 players Reshad Wint and Marcus Joseph will be part of his setup as they attempt to defend the League championship, Big Six, Toyota Classic, FA Trophy and Digicel Pro Bowl and challenge a place in the CONCACAF Champions’ League when they contest the CFC Club Championship early this year.
Despite losing key players goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa and defenders Powers and Thomas to Ma Pau and the possibility of ‘goal machine’ Kerry Baptiste earning a foreign contract, King is confident that he will have a another capable bunch as last season’s five-title winning team.
“Players come and players go,” he said. “But there is no doubt that we will have a strong team when preseason starts. We are still wrapping up some new contracts and in talks with a number of young players.”
King is also expecting a couple of trialists from the United States, as the club continues to gain international interests.