THE JOE Public Football Club has extended gratitude to their supporters in light of Tuesday’s hard-earned 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in the opening leg of their 2008 CONCACAF Champions League tie at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
Also on Wednesday, one-minute’s silence was observed before kick- off in memory of the late Richard Abraham, former general manager of the club.
Sam Phillip, who is now in that position, stated: “We at Joe Public wish to thank all our loyal supporters particularly our main sponsors BMobile, Francis Fashion, Sportsworld,VEMCO and Blue Waters for giving us that extra hand in the lead up to the victory over New England Revolution.
“The club’s board of directors wishes to specially thank the coaching staff headed by Mr Keith Griffith and all the players for their superb efforts in achieving what is undoubtedly one of our best results in the history of the club. Our Chairman Mr Jack Warner and managing director Daryll Warner have also been of tremendous support to the team.
“We know the journey is far from over but we believe that with continued support and commitment we can go to Boston and complete the win which will take us through to the next stage.
“We wish to also make it clear that this is not just a victory for Joe Public, but also one for the TT Pro League and football in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean which was witnessed by thousands of viewers on Fox Sports,” Phillip added.
Daryll Warner, in his capacity as managing director also lauded his team for its effort on the night but expressed disappointment with the lack of solidarity within the football fraternity.
He was referring especially to the TT Pro League’s scheduling of matches on the day that Joe Public was playing the Revolution, one of the top teams in the MLS.
“One finds it very difficult to understand why the Pro League would not fully support such an encounter in which one of its teams was participating and representing the League.
“Despite the obvious lack of support from certain factions within the football fraternity of Trinidad and Tobago, Joe Public FC again defied the odds and were victorious both on and off the field of play and this was viewed live in 35 countries via Fox Sports and other affiliates on the internet as well,” Warner said.
He also recognised the attendance of his mother Maureen Warner who arrived from Beijing, China at 8 pm and headed straight for the stadium. Also attending the match were Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, Daryan Warner, Tony Gray, Trevor Paul (Former Commissioner of Police), TTFF General Secretary Richard Groden, Vice President Rudolph Thomas and other visiting CONCACAF officials.
Team coach Griffith said the Joe Public players’ determination was a key factor.
“We felt that we had to play some of our best football and that’s what we did on the night. The guys stuck to the plan and they gave it their all. It was disappointing to concede the penalty because I wanted to win by three goals but now we will go to Boston and play our natural game which is to play attractive football and try to win the game.
“It’s a big win for the club and I am happy to be part of it especially after only coming here a month ago to prepare the team for this game.
The entire club from the bosses, the coaching and management staff and the players have been a terrific bunch which played a big role in us getting this victory,” the former Barbados technical director added.