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Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeping coach Ross Russell during the International Friendly between Wales and Trinidad and Tobago at Racecourse Ground on March 20, 2019 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
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Former national goalkeeper Ross Russell is set to contest the position of presidency of the Northern Football Association (NFA) on December 12 at the Cascadia Hotel in St Ann’s.

The annual general meeting (AGM) and elections were scheduled after Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith gave the okay for a venue where proper social-distancing and sanitisation to deal with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, can take place. 

Russell, who was a former national goalkeeper coach, is set to be contested by Richard Piper, a former national manager and football administrator, who has worked for many years under then NFA president Anthony Harford at All Sport Promotions. 

Piper’s slate will comprise Derek Edwards, the Petit Valley Diego Martin United manager as his first vice president and Tristan Charles, the manager of Santa Cruz united as his second vice president.

Russell, on the other hand, has only confirmed Anthony Wickham, the Trendsetter Hawks coach, as his first vice president. Confirmation of their second vice president will be announced soon. 

Russell told Guardian Media Sports he took up the challenge to run for the presidency after he observed the interest of club participation, spectator- excitement and sponsorship in northern football have all totally disappeared.

“So I say let me come and try something to help out,” Russell said. “I expect my greatest challenge to be from the top right to the bottom. I will seek to help clubs secure their own home grounds and thereby prevent the large number of matches from being played at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. These venues must all be equipped with dressing rooms and toilet facilities etc.”

Guardian Media Sports was made to understand that a potential sponsor for the NFA 2021 has been found and talks are ongoing to make the League one of the best run in years. 

Russell said another area of keen interest for him is bringing back the community spirit, which he believes will be of critical importance to the zone.


SOURCE: T&T Guardian