“We have asked the TT Pro League for a one year break and that year is up,” said North East Stars founder and president Darryl Mahabir this week.
In 2008 the North East Stars home venue, Sangre Grande Recreation Ground, wasn’t up to standard for play in the TT Pro League with a poor field surface and unsanitary and under-maintained players’ facilities forcing home matches to be played at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar and even further at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
Despite frustrations of not playing at home, the former League champions and FA Trophy winners finished third in the 2008 (Digicel) Pro League championship in which was the major jump during the season from below to the top three.
The following year Stars' president Darryl Mahabir pulled the club—which once hosted players such as Jerron Nixon, Kendall Jagdeosingh, Anthony Wolfe and Brent Sancho—out of the League with the belief that the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation will upgrade and maintain the facility in time for a 2010 return to Pro League football.
However the facility remains the same to date, with the playing surface still in desperate resurfacing needs and the changing facilities in a deplorable state.
Stars have until January 28, 2010 to confirm their involvement in the 2010 TT Pro League season, and with one week remaining before the deadline date, things are looking down for the club unless the Sangre Grande Borough Corporation gives its full commitment to the recreation ground's restoration.
"We are still in the same problems without a proper facility," said Mahabir. "The (Sangre Grande Regional) Corporation did come in and do some work, however its still not enough to bring a Pro League match in our community."
"Playing in the Pro League is important for the community and its youths, because they can benefit. Over the past year we have been getting steady calls from a lot of young players from schools in the district that wants to know if we are coming back into the League. But we are unable to give them positive feedback just yet. They want to play and they want to play for their community," he said.
Mahabir further explained, "We are not just about participating in the Pro League. We want to be within our community. Going to Arima or some other stadium doesn’t benefit this community. Playing Pro League football is one thing, but playing Pro League football within your community is the key essence to everything."
Mahabir also noted that the inputs of recently appointed Stars CEO Brent Sancho and Director of Football Kevin Jeffrey are keeping the hopes of returning to the TT Pro League alive.
North East Stars are expected to meet with the Sangre Grande Borough Corporation again next week with hopes of good news.
The football club is also negotiating with the Corporation for lease of the Damarie Hill Recreation Grounds on a long-term basis with the intention to upgrade and manage the facility to a mini stadium status for use in 2011.
Mahabir estimates that the intended work on the Damarie Hill venue will take eight months to complete once approved by the Corporation.