Central F.C. completed their busy Christmas schedule on Friday when Managing Director, Brent Sancho delivered Christmas gifts to the Couva Children’s Home.
The Children’s Home, which houses over 25 children aged 6 months to 19, has been a frequent recipient of The Sharks generosity since the club was formed in 2012.
“One of our initial priorities when the club was formed was to interact with the Central community” said Sancho
“And while, admittedly, due to staff cuts, we haven’t been as busy as usual with community projects, we could not let Christmas pass without giving to the kids in the home”
Sancho said that the club first visited the Childrens Home back in December 2012. “It was our first Christmas in existence and we could not then have imagined the success we have achieved over the last four years”
The Sharks have lifted two successive Caribbean Club Championships as well as successive Digicel Pro League titles as well as numerous domestic trophies.
“Our policy from the outset was to play with a mainly Trinbagonian squad and prove that the trend at the time of importing legions of foreign players was not productive for the national team. We believed in the local talent and 95% of our players have been T&T nationals.”
Sancho said it was a proud moment to win a Caribbean Club Championship with a 100% Trini team. “It sent a message that not only is the Pro League a strong product, but T&T still produces the best players in the region.”
Sancho said that the clubs belief in supporting the national team has provided dividends. “We convinced forgotten national team players, like Yohance Marshall to come home and force their way back into the national team. And players such as Darren Mitchell, Leston Paul, Nathaniel Garcia, Jason Marcano, Kevon Villaroel, Jamal Jack, Kaydion Gabriel, Ataulla Guerra, Sean de Silva, Andre Ettienne, Marvin Phillips, Willis Plaza and Marcus Joseph were Sharks who gained caps with the national team.”
Central F.C. have continued with their tradition of binging back national team players by this week announcing the signing of Julius James. James, who has won 16 caps for T&T has spent his career in USA with the likes of Fort Lauderdale Strikers, D.C. United and Houston Dynamo, and has never played professionally in T&T.
“Julius is a great defender and I’ve tried to encourage him back to T&T before” said Sancho. “I’m glad he’s finally come home and he brings with him exciting possibilities for Central as we prepare for our attempt to create history by winning three successive Caribbean titles”
Central will also be eyeing a third successive Pro League title and will start the new year with a 4 point margin over 2nd place W Connection with just 6 games remaining in what has now become a two horse race.
“There’s still a lot of football to be played” said Sancho. “I’ve told the players not to look back over their shoulders. Forget about who’s chasing you and focus on the finish line. Each game is a cup final because it takes us a step nearer to achieving something that will never be repeated.”
With Central unbeaten in 12 league matches this season, it would take a brave man to bet against them, but Sancho insists that his players won’t relax until the final game. “The four points give us some breathing space, but as long as we finish the last game with one point more than Connection, I’ll be happy”