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Kelvin Jack

Read the latest interview with former T&T shot-stopper Kelvin Jack and delve a bit more into his career, the battle against his former employers and the future of the once T&T hero.

And when I say hero, I truly mean it! The last minute save in Bahrain on the 16th of November 2005 was probably just as important as the goal big Dennis Lawrence scored to get T&T to the World Cup. Who knows what would have been the outcome if the ball had went into the net.

It all happened when Bahraini striker Hussain Ali's 90th minute sharp turn and blistering snap shot brought out a world class, one-handed save from Jack, who for the best part of 90 minutes had provided the home fans with one or two moments of comic relief with some bizarre keeping to seal the deal for T&T and insured them a place in Germany.

Here are 22 questions from the SWO that Jack had to save.

1: Many people were amazed at the sacrifice you made before the Sweden match when you declared yourself unfit during the warm up. How would the gamble you took of being honest for the sake of the team, and maybe missing the World Cup, compare to standing up to the TTFF? A stance you knew would have ended your international career and possibly lead to you not winning a single cent of the money you sued the TTFF for?
KJ: Both sacrifices were necessary. I will never forget that moment when I realised that I couldn't play in Trinidad and Tobago's first ever World Cup game. I was devastated... However, I knew that I had better than half a chance of making it for the Paraguay game. Thankfully, when I declared myself fit coach Leo Beenhakker had the confidence in my ability by selecting me to start against Paraguay.

The court case has been a huge sacrifice; the bigger of the two. I knew drastic action may have had to be taken when Mr Jack Warner kept us waiting an eternity for a spreadsheet he promised. The offer of $5,000 TT dollars and the arrogance shown by the TTFF was the final straw.

I am hopeful that the young footballers coming up will never have to endure the disrespect and deceit that we and others before us have had to deal with. It did not have to come to this if they were honest from the beginning.

My international career has been destroyed but that is the sacrifice me and some of the guys had to make. It is shocking that my last international game was the 20th June 2006... "Incredible".

The dishonesty and disrespect needed to stop. I never thought that we would not have received our bonuses. I knew that it will be an unbelievable battle and so far we have received an interim payment. The case isn't over but it will be very soon.

Again, I have to repeat... If the TTFF were respectful and honest there would have been no court case. We would have also had a very good chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

2: What have you learnt about friendship, loyalty and camaraderie during this four and a half year court battle?
KJ: I have huge respect for the boys who made the stand. The guys who said enough is enough and sacrificed their careers for the sake of Trinidad and Tobago football. The fans have given us strength as well. To the fans and well wishers we will never forget your support. To the others who have criticised us I do not have the time for them (piss off). What we did was right, full stop.
 
3: Do you have any sympathy for the players who settled. Those that settled during the case, and those who didn't make the cut to the 23 man squad, yet played various roles in reaching Germany?
KJ: There are a few players who settled that I do have sympathy for because their situations were quite difficult. However, there were some who had different agendas. What they did in my opinion was weak. Regarding those who were ever so close to making the final 23, I really felt it for them. I always think about players like Silvio Spann, Anthony Rougier, Glenton Wolfe, Brent Rahim to name a few. I knew they were all devastated they didn't make it to Germany.

4: Do you have a personal hatred or dislike of Oliver Camps, Jack Warner and others associated with TTFF?
KJ: I do not hate anyone. I pity them though.

5: Many people have said this court case has always been just about money. How would you answer them?
KJ: Of course the case was and is about money. We weren't paid what we were promised. However, over the time we realized that our actions were necessary to bring about changes. Those people questioning our motives should be asking the TTFF for the millions of dollars that is unaccounted for. Money from taxpayers, a lot whom are not well off, and private sponsors. Is it ok for the TTFF, Oliver Camps and Jack Warner to not account for millions of dollars but wrong for the players to insist the TTFF honour their contract?

6: What would be the eventual ideal outcome of this case?
KJ: For there to be total reform within the TTFF and the players to finally receive all their bonuses.

7: Do you believe you, or other capable people in Trinidad and Tobago, could better organise our football program, and if so, would you be prepared to work in a new, reformed TTFF?
KJ: There are many intelligent and innovative individuals in Trinidad and Tobago capable of revamping our football. Yes, I am at my country's service as long as the right people are involved. I know that I can contribute in a meaningful way if my opinion and input is sought.

8: Now that the court case is coming to closure, what's next for Kelvin Jack?
KJ: Hopefully it will be over soon. We have faith in the judicial system. I have a few ideas for life after football, and yes it does involved coaching. I do have other interests as well. I have been toying with the idea of doing a law degree. Hopefully, whatever I'm involved in will be a success. For the time being I am still focused on playing and enjoying the game.
 
9: Where you surprised to see Russell Latapy fired as T&T's head coach? How was Latapy as a teammate and a friend?
KJ: It did not surprised me because he did not win enough games. That is the world we live in. Football is about results but countries such as ours with a limited talent pool need to plan and organize better. Maybe, he could have been given more time, or maybe his appointment was too soon. He has time now to recover and improve as a manager because he is still young. Latapy was a respected teamate.

10: Mr Oliver Camps hinted at bankruptcy, if this comes to pass, what’s your take on how this development might affect the court case, the TTFF and more-so T&T football ?
KJ: Bankruptcy? Well I guess the TTFF, Mr Camps and Warner may have to explain where the millions of dollars have disappeared to. I guess that is what may happen with the limited knowledge I have about bankruptcy. Can he? It will be shocking and a national disgrace if the TTFF is bankrupt. Our football will struggle to recover. Surely, heads will roll big time if that happens.

11: On August 1st, 2010 you guys won the court battle. Acting Justice Devindra Rampersad had ordered the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) to pay the bonuses and admonished them for time wasting, running up a legal bill of more than T$3 million (£310,000) that they will also have to pay. What was it like in the court room when you guys won the battle against the TTFF and were you surprised at the outcome ?
KJ: I was not in the court room. Shaka phoned to give me the good news. I wasn't really surprised because we had a very strong case. We just knew that it was not over.

12: In a T&T Express report, Mr Jack Warner was quoted as saying that Shaka Hislop and his father George were the main men who has been fighting for this cause . “We have paid much more money than you have here", Warner stated. Can you elaborate on this?
KJ: Of course Shaka and his father has been involved in this case. Shaka is one of the 13 players and his dad is part of the legal team. The other 12 players have been fighting this case as well. Players have dipped into their own pockets to fund this case. It has been a proper battle, one which the players have fought with aplomb.

13: Of all your teammates in Germany, who disappointed you the most, in other words, who did you feel never stood up with you guys despite agreeing to in the first place?
KJ: Those players know themselves. Some of those players were the biggest critics of the TTFF but when the time came to stand up and be counted they disappeared. Come on, do some guess work.

14: Without you and the hard work of your teammates; T&T would not have qualified for the 2006 World Cup.  In return for your efforts your employers made millions and paid you peanuts. Then they called you greedy, do you have any words for them?
KJ: I'm not sure many people have really realized how difficult it is for a country like ours to qualify for the World Cup. Our player pool is tiny when compared to the USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, Canada etc... These countries populations are much bigger than ours so our achievement was certainly against the odds. Having defied these odds, qualified, and not embarrass ourselves or the country, was it too much to ask for the TTFF to honour our contract? They called us greedy to deflect the attention from their lack of transparency and accountability.

15: With a new generation of footballers coming up in T&T what sort of advice do you have for them? Will this court battle have a negative or positive impact on them?
KJ: Be disciplined and fight for what you believe in. The court case will be positive because eventually change will happen.

16: We are a football nation with a government who says they do not condone corruption.  Now, I am assuming that the players involved in the court case tried to get our government’s attention and support while the court battle was still very active. What sort of support or feedback did you guys receive from our government, more-so, the Minister of Sport.
KJ: We wrote a letter to the Honourable Prime Minister Kamla-Persad Bissessar which we hand delivered to her office but we never received a reply. This disappointed us because although we know the PM' is a very busy person, a reply wouldn't have been asking for too much. I am not being arrogant here but we are holders of Chaconia Gold Medals and our situation did involve an organization unwilling to disclose where millions of dollars of public and private sectors disappeared too. The Minister of Sport? Anil Roberts? We didn't even bother.

17: The TTFF has been in turmoil especially since Germany. They seem like they cannot get things running smoothly and there is always some dispute as far as players and other football matters are concerned. What do you feel needs to be done to bring about stability within the TTFF?
KJ: They all need to resign and allow change. Allow fresh ideas to drive Trinidad and Tobago football forward.
 
18: Will we see a Players Association formed? If not, why? What role does the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPoRTT) play in T&T football and do they fulfill it effectively?
KJ: Yes, it will be formed. Not sure of the role SPoRTT plays but to be honest if they are meant to improve Trinidad and Tobago football, where is the improvement?

19: As I understand you are no longer connected with a club. Care to give us an update on your career status?
KJ: I cancelled my contract at Darlington because it was just too much on my young family. I was away for weeks at a time. My family took precedence. Things are more settled now so I am looking for a club, hopefully closer to home.

It is proving difficult though because there are hundreds of free agents every summer. However, I'm confident of finding a club and resuming my career soon. I'm 35 and I feel fit and motivated as ever. I just love this game called football. I will play as long as possible. The day I lose my speed and athleticism I will retire.

20: Now I know you guys have families to support and, when football is over you may have to seek other means of generating an income. Do you have any plans for the future? Will you be returning to T&T and will we see a Kelvin Jack Football Academy (KJA) unfold?
KJ: I will be involved in football. A PROPER goalkeeping academy in the east/west corridor is in my ambitions. It's needed, that's for sure. I am also very interested in being a football coach/manager, I think it suits me. Over the next couple years I will be doing my coaching badges. Oh, and maybe that law degree I spoke about.

21: Now, I try to be impartial and bring some balance to my interviews. In saying that I would like to state that I wish we didn't have to go the route you guys took and I wish things could have been better handled, especially after the World Cup in Germany. However, I also understand you and the other players had no choice in the matter and had to make a stand for many reasons, one being your rights. I also acknowledge that Jack Warner did "some" good things as well for T&T football over the years. Would you like to say anything to or about your former employer?
KJ: No !!!!....

22: Any words for the fans of the SWO and the general supporters of T&T football? Will you and your “fallen” comrades continue to patronize us.
KJ: Socawarriors.net is great for Trinidad and Tobago football. It gives the fans a forum to maintain their passion and share their views. To the fans, thank you for your continuing support and from the bottom of my heart, I love you guys.


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