T&T’s most famous footballer, based on his international record and appeal, Dwight Yorke, gave a rare interview to host Andre Errol Baptiste on Isports on i95.5fm Programme on Saturday.
The former Manchester United and T&T’s football captain at this country’s only World Cup appearance in 2006 (Germany), is currently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has been paying close attention to all that has been unfolding in local football including when FIFA announced on March 17 that it was appointing a normalization committee to run the affairs of T&T’s football, effectively replacing elected president William Wallace and his three vice presidents.
On March 27, FIFA named businessman Robert Hadad as chairman, attorney Judy Daniel as vice-chairman and retired banker Nigel Romano, as a member, with two more individuals to be appointed at a later date, to replace the ousted T&T Football Association (TTFA) executive, that was duly elected in November 2019 with William Wallace as president and including Joseph "Sam" Phillip, Susan Joseph-Warwick and Clynt Taylor as vice-presidents, who through their attorneys have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland on April 7.
"When it comes to football, things have to change. We have tried all aspects of it before. We know how successful we have been in 2006. I think football has been in decline for a number of years," said Yorke during the interview. "I think this is the right move and we all have to get back and focus and maybe think about the youth."
Yorke's support comes on the back of previous support for FIFA's action by the T&T Pro League, the Central Zone president Shymdeo Gosine and several local coaches and administrators of the local sport.
"The youths are the future of the football and I call on all the footballers out there who are aspiring to represent their country to continue to work hard because it is the only way forward and they must have that belief and hopefully, our country will one day find its way back on the world stage again,” said Yorke, re-emphasizing his desire to be involved in T&T’s football.
"I have always been (interested), I have never shied away from that I have always wanted to play an intricate part in whatever way it's possible. I can help the young people of T&T as I have said before. I have a lot of knowledge and experience over the years and I feel that I can contribute a lot to T&T’s football hopefully."
Yorke, a former national captain admits that he too is feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dubai, which has also locked down all citizens and visitors alike to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus in that country.
"It's been challenging like for everyone else out there. I'm lucky enough I'm based in Dubai at the moment so we been on lockdown for roughly three weeks and they're strict so we are one of the lowest in terms of the effect of the virus at the moment. I'm blessed that I'm in such a strict place that tries to keep this pandemic that is happening around the world under control.
"I know that we are a country that likes to enjoy ourselves, we like to be sociable with one another interacting that way and nothing is wrong with it but I'm calling on all my fellow Trinidadians and Tobagonians to make sure that they take care of themselves and follow the guidelines that are required. It's well publicised and the PM has put out his statement, to stay at home, social distance, wash your hands.
"I know the face mask is not something that has been broadcasted but if you look at the news now the face mask is probably the most important thing and I know its difficult to get hold of the face mask but when you go out, make sure to wear the face mask. It does save lives and that's what's matters most so its important that my people back home take this very very serious and make sure and have consideration for others not just for themselves but for the elders for the weak,” said Yorke, who scored 66 goals for Manchester United.
He admits that he has not reflected much on his career but knows that he has done well in terms of his playing career.
" I can vaguely remember some of the goals that I've scored but, having said that, I think my first year was just incredible. The way how it panned out and how it worked out. You know scoring 29 goals that particular season and doing everything else winning the 'Play of the Year', you couldn't ask for a better year.
"I feel that within that year I had some of my best goals, the important goals for United and even though it wasn’t a classic, the first time I played Liverpool at home in the FA Cup that was the one that really stood out. It's not a classic goal by any means but I saw the passion and the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool for the years, what it meant to the fans and to have scored that equalizer. You could feel the whole roof lift off that day when we equalized and obviously went on to win that game like in the dying minute of the game.
"That was the first time I really felt something unusual playing in the derby and feel what that meant and of course once we won that game. We went on to win the FA cup and went onto to win the title that particular year, so 66 goals, I mean that's pretty good and I'm sure that all of them played an important part at some point in those games,” said Yorke.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian