Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Kerwin “Hardest” Jemmot will get the chance to try out for an overseas professional contract later this month as he gets set to depart for Europe alongside two other local-based players.
Jemmot, attached to local Pro League club Superstar Rangers is expected to leave these shores within the next week along with former national under 23 striker Devon Mitchell and midfielder Akil Gueverra for trials with Hungarian First Division club FC Tatabanya. The club finished 12th last season in the League. Tatabanya is also the former club of former Hungary forward József Kiprich who was a member of his country’s national team at the 1986 World Cup
The trials for the local trio were arranged on recommendation from English-born coach Terry Fenwick.
“This all came about after a contact rung me up and asked for me to recommend some players and I put forwards these guys obviously because I think they have what it takes to get something out there,” Fenwick told TTFF Media.
“If it works out… great, if it doesn’t then I’m sure the experience would have been worthwhile for them. Their visas are being processed and should be ready in the next couple days.”
Superstar Rangers chairman Richard Fakoory was grateful to Fenwick for arranging the opportunity for Jemmot who is considered one of the more gifted talents on the local scene who has not failed to live up to high expectations over the past decade.
Fakoory still believes the 28-year-old “Hardest” can do it on the foreign circuit. The former Joe Public player will follow his close pal Densill Theobald on Hungarian soil as the T&T national team captain recently concluded a trial at Ujpest FC alongside Jan Michael Williams.
“Hardest is a quality player by all means and I think he’s just been unfortunate not to have things go in his favour for various reasons. Maybe he never got that break that was needed but now I think he’s a lot more serious than before and he realizes that he has to make the most of the remaining time he has as a player,” Fakoory told TTFF Media on Tuesday.
“I hope this time he can make use of the opportunity. Everything should be in place for him so that he can show them that he can play. His vision is great. His fitness may be a bit of a concern but I think he can show them out there that he has what it takes to make it at that level. Being a member of my club, I think it will be great exposure for him. I feel we have set about in the right way towards development and I think I can predict that in 2010 I could see my team having four or five players on the national team.”
Fakoory even tipped his hat to one of his club’s benefactors.
“Maybe if it wasn’t for Jack Warner or his group of companies, my club wouldn’t be where it is today and Hardest may not be playing professional football as well as several of the other guys we have here. He (Warner) supported and encouraged me to be part of the Professional League and I am very grateful for that. I will continue going the distance because he has given me the strong support to keep on fighting the good fight in football,” Fakoory added