One month after joining archrivals W Connection, former San Juan Jabloteh midfielder Aurtis Whitley has already lifted one title with the ‘Savonnetta Boys’.
Whitley’s experience in the middle of the park for W Connection in the final of the First Citizens Cup last Friday proved a plus for coach Stuart Charles Fevrier, after the midfielder assisted both goals scored.
Striker Jonathon Frias was on the end of both strikes which thumped Caledonia AIA for a 2-0 win at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Following the victory an elated Whitley told media officials, “The feelings great to win this title(First Citizens Cup). Since joining the club everyone has greeted me with open arms and showed me love. This is what I have been longing for, sometime now. I’m more than enjoying my time at W Connection,” said the midfielder. “I actually love it.”
Whitley’s ‘Man of the Match’ performance even spurred the question if he is hoping for an international return but the Trinidad and Tobago World Cup midfielder was quick to respond, “Honestly national team is not on my mind right now...my heart is with W Connection alone at the moment.”
Whitley a ‘blacklisted’ national player further stated that his recent performances were enough to reject those who believed his career had passed its time.
The 30 year old standout midfielder is now focused on returning to one hundred percent fitness, after months without first team play at his former club.
He said, “I have one problem and that’s getting back full fitness. The players, the coach and the training staff at W Connection really push me in training and I believe I would get back to one hundred percent really soon, hopefully by the next couple of weeks.”
W Connection captain and veteran defender Elijah Joseph revealed, “For a long time we wanted Whitley because we the players at W Connection knew what type of player he is. So when we found out for the first time that he was coming to Connection, we were very happy because we know that he would bring a lot to us. Watching him play in the World Cup in 2006 and seeing the type of talent he has and watching our own style, we knew it was a plus,” enlightened the St Lucian.
However Joseph wasn’t stunned by his team’s First Citizens Cup 2007 title. W Connection are a regular to the title and after lifting the title four times previously, Joseph said, “Seeing that is the first crystal one(trophy), it was a very good feeling,” with a chuckle.
Joseph commended young players such as Kerron Smith, Christian Viveros, Gerrard Williams, Jonathon Frias used in the final by Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier.
He added, “We are happy to see our club bringing forward more and more young talent. The coach(Stuart Charles Fevrier) always preached to us that the old players wouldn’t be here forever and it’s the younger ones who will carry the team. So I am happy to see the young ones coming into the final and putting on a challenge.”
To end off with a smile Elijah Joseph said that his position on the field isn’t at risk just yet.