YOUNG BLOOD
For Trinidad and Tobago, senior national football is currently at a standstill as the T&T Football Federation (TTFF) makes plans to revamp its technical and administrative departments.
But former national captain Clayton Morris wants to see fresh faces take a fresh approach at repairing T&T football, which is currently at its lowest point in history.
In 2011 the TTFF experienced a snowball of scandals that resulted in the resignations of special adviser Jack Warner from all footballing activities and Oliver Camps as Federation president due to FIFA investigations.
General secretary Richard Groden was also investigated and issued a warning by FIFA.
"The best kind of start is that you have young blood, people who came through as players," Morris suggested in a telephone interview with the Express on Tuesday. "They know how players feel...they may be involved in organising events or what have you, it's a package you're getting now with this new blood knocking on the door to take over the reins."
Morris pointed to 2006 T&T World Cup defender Brent Sancho—currently CEO of Pro League club North East Stars—former "Strike Squad" player Marlon Morris and Veterans Football Foundation organiser Tansley Thompson as possible options that might bring fresh ideas to the table.
"Collectively if these three eras get together, definitely there will be a way forward," Morris (C) reasoned.
The ex-T&T defender, who retired as captain in 1992, said that there is a need for football officials to look after the interest of the sport rather than their own personal interests.
"It's about the lowest we have ever reached with respect to not only the physical playing of football, but also administratively," he stated.
"If we reach rock bottom and you see it fit that you can still stay and make a contribution then something wrong."
Former TTFF special adviser Warner has controlled and sponsored local football for several decades before his resignation and football's current predicament is no surprise, Morris (C) said. Since Warner's resignation, the TTFF has not coped well with the situation.
"They are like fish out of water now, so to speak. But I think that is a good thing for a democracy to take over football, and not how it has been run for a number of years," Morris stated. "I think it needs now for all the stakeholders to get involved and look for a way forward."