Clico San Juan Jabloteh's attempt to regain the Pro League mantle is likely to become more difficult after chairman Jerry Hospedales confirmed a parting of ways with Antigua star striker Peter Byers, his compatriot, Gayson Gregory, and St Vincent forward Shandell Samuel. The split was not amicable.
Joyce Kentish, the agent and lawyer of the pair, told the Sun that Jabloteh refused to adhere to stipulations in their contracts regarding accommodation.
Byers, Gregory and Samuel were allegedly robbed twice at gunpoint last year in the Bourg Mulatresse residence provided by the club. They subsequently moved to Curepe in July but Jabloteh refused to pay beyond $1,200 for each player and insisted that they meet the difference themselves.
The upset trio returned to their respective homelands two weeks ago.
It was good riddance as far as Hospedales was concerned. Hospedales, coordinator of the Divestment Secretariat at the Ministry of Finance, claimed that the three players-and not Jabloteh-were at fault.
"Their contract has nothing about accommodation," Hospedales told the Express. "That is a figment of somebody's imagination."
The club chairman countered by accusing the players of "distasteful behaviour" at their former Bourg Mulatresse home where the landlord allegedly terminated their lease agreement on July 1 after complaints dating back to May 19.
Hospedales claimed to have reported the players to the Pro League's Player Status Committee for breach of contract by their unauthorised exit. He was dismissive about their claim to have been robbed twice.
"I think their behaviour in the community elicited a response from the community," he said. "They refused to lock the gates and encouraged all sorts of guests despite the advice of the landlord."
But Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick was sad to see them go.
Byers, Gregory and Samuel combined for 12 of Jabloteh's 28 league goals this season. Byers has seven items, which is the fourth highest aggregate in the 2008 Pro League and the best at the club.
"I am not prepared to comment on what the club's position is with housing," said Fenwick, "but Byers was top scorer last season and this one and will be an obvious miss.
"Gregory and Samuel were nice guys to work with too and we wish them the very best.
"I would love to have them return to the club under different circumstances but it appears we have lost them."
Hospedales made it clear that future foreign signings as well as players from south Trinidad or Tobago would receive little assistance in finding and paying for accommodation. He claimed Jabloteh paid $6,000 to settle costs for damage at the Bourg Mulatresse house that they used for their players over the past five years.
"We don't want to expose ourselves as we did this time," said Hospedales.
"In future, we will put foreign players up for one month during which time they must make their own arrangements.
"But the policy of maintaining a house in our name will no longer occur."
At present, Jabloteh are four points clear of second-placed W Connection and six ahead of United Petrotrin and Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA.
2006 World Cup player Cornell Glen, who should be in action for Trinidad and Tobago against Haiti this evening, is likely to rejoin Jabloteh before the League restarts on August 9.