Makesi Lewis became the first Police FC player in the Trinidad and Tobago professional league era (1999 – present) to win the Golden Boot after finishing on top of Digicel Pro League 2015/16 scoring chart with 20 goals.
Also receiving their 2015/16 Player of the Month rewards on Friday were North East Stars duo Kerry Baptiste and Anthony Wolfe – coincidently former Golden Boot winners themselves – for March and May, respectively.
“Just to be among players like Kerry Baptiste and Anthony Wolfe – players I look up to – makes this a good moment for me,” said Lewis.
But despite being proud of his personal achievements and recent call-ups to the Trinidad and Tobago national team, the forward believes his club, Police FC, underachieved by finishing sixth in the league, just one spot higher than the previous season.
“It’s a proud feeling for me in achieving the top scorer spot in only my first full season back,” said Lewis who spent almost two-and-a-half years out of action due to a broken leg suffered in 2012 while at Caledonia AIA (now renamed Morvant Caledonia United).
“But we (Police) underachieved by only finishing sixth. We had a good team, good enough for competing for the league title. But we were affected by a number of injuries as well as goalkeeping problems without [first choice] goalkeeper Adrian Foncette who went on trials during the season.”
Lewis did not score in Police FC’s last three league games since netting a double against Club Sando in a 5-3 win in April, but the forward’s tally was still able to see off an impressive late challenge by Jason Marcano who finished second with 17 goals for league champions, Central FC.
Marcano, who had featured in a forward position in the late for Central, scored two hat-tricks and a double in the “Couva Sharks” last four league games to improve his tally, while Lewis was shifted into midfield, sometimes occupying wide midfield or the number 10 role for Police, in the final round of the league with coach Richard Hood forced to mix and match due to injuries to some players such as Christon Thomas, Kevin Lewis, Kadeem Riley and Keon Wilson.
Lewis believes he could have amounted 30 league goals had his side not been plagued by injuries.
“I didn't mind sacrificing my position as a forward in the interest of the team," explained Lewis. "But I could have reached 30 goals if we weren't forced to change things around because of injuries.”
Lewis believes with a full squad and players back to full fitness, the Lawmen should be competing for league title next season and at least one of the knockout titles.
Lewis, who was recently recalled to the T&T national team for a three-game international tour which ended in losses against Peru (4-0) on May 23, Uruguay (3-1) on May 27 and China (4-2) on June 3, said he would like to be part of the “Soca Warriors”’ FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign which resumes in September against Guatemala (Sep. 2) and away to USA (Sep. 6).
Lewis, who had a few minutes off the bench against Uruguay and China, said he was grateful for the "amazing experience" and thanked "Soca Warriors" coach Stephen Hart for honouring his achievement in the Pro League with the opportunity.
Wendy’s Player of the Month (Pro League season 2015-16)
October
Sean De Silva (Central FC)
November
Keron Cummings (North East Stars)
December
Jomal Williams (W Connection)
January
Jerwyn Balthazar (Defence Force)
February
Marcus Joseph (Central FC)
March
Kerry Baptiste (North East Stars)
April
Makesi Lewis (Police FC)
May
Anthony Wolfe (North East Stars)