Trinidad and Tobago Men’s Senior Team and North East Stars’ central defender Seon Power is still in pursuit of a professional contract in Thailand, and his first ever contract abroad.
The 28 year old former Joe Public and Ma Pau SC player has been on trial with Thai Premier League club Chainat FC—also the club of fellow T&T teammate and former Stars player Kendall Jagdeosingh—during the last two weeks.
“We haven’t received a call or transfer request from the club (Chainat),” said Stars Head Coach Angus Eve. “But speaking Power, who I’ve been in touch with, he said that the club is very interested and wants to sign him.
“Power said he played in two practice matches and the coach (Surachai Jaturapttarapong) was impressed. But now, the way things are over there, the club’s chairman (Anucha Nakasai) wants to see Power in a match before making a decision.”
Back at home, the North East Stars coach made a few signings inside the December-January transfer window as well as a couple contract extensions.
Current Jamaica Under 23 captain and former Under 20 player, Keith Simpson has been signed on loan from Tivoli Gardens with the view of signing the midfielder on a permanent basis according to Eve.
The 22 year old Simpson, who is said to have been capped three times with the Jamaican senior team, has fitted well with the Sangre Grande club.
In his second League appearance for North East Stars, the utility midfielder scored a superb item from distance to help his side to a 2-1 win over Police FC last Friday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
“He (Simpson) is a central midfielder that can play on either side of midfield,” said Eve. “He is a good tackler and an intelligent footballer that can pass or shoot the ball with both feet.”
Also boosting the offensive roster is teenager Marcus Gomez who has finally committed his services, since being sort after at the beginning of the season.
Seventeen year olds Stars’ U-21 players Gomez and left sided stopper Jesus Perez, along with 22 year old central defender Stephan Chang of FC Santa Rosa were all snapped up during the window.
“Gomez is a player for the future,” said Eve, a former Jabloteh youth coach and the T&T U-23 coach. “I’m very excited about him and his future in the game.
“Perez is also very young and we would be seeing some of him this season. Chang is a young stopper who I’ve worked with at Jabloteh youth teams and he is another one for the long term.”
During the window, midfielder Johan Peltier was sold to Central FC for an undisclosed fee, while wingback Elton John and goalkeeper Adrian Foncette received contract extensions till May 2014 as disclosed by Eve.
“It has been difficult for Adrian with (first choice goalie) Cleon John in good form and should be a permanent fixture in the (T&T) national team,” said Eve.
“But I saw it fit to keep Adrian on longer because of his attitude and his ability is one for the future of Trinidad and Tobago football. We have used him in the FA Trophy and in the Reserves and he continues to do well.
“While John a good professional. I worked with him at Jabloteh and now at North East Stars he has not shown any lack of commitment. Unfortunately he didn’t start the season because of an injury but he is also one of those players knocking on the national team door and he is one that you can build a team around.”
North East Stars, winners of this season’s Toyota Classic, could find themselves into another Final.
On Thursday the Sangre Grande club travels to the Ato Boldon Stadium to tackle defending champs Caledonia AIA from 6pm in semi-final two.
If Stars were to advance into the Final on March 1, Eve could meet his former boss Terry Fenwick—coach of Central FC. Central defeated T&TEC FC 1-0 last week in semi-final one.