Caledonia AIA technical director Jamaal Shabazz barely had time to marinate in his club's 2008 Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) FA Trophy success before he was off to the bank and trying to use their winning cheque to cook up some more funds.
But Shabazz feels that the possible withdrawal of funds from the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) is a snub too much and urged Sport Minister Gary Hunt to maintain government assistance for community-based clubs.
Caledonia receive financial assistance from Neal & Massy and their subsidiaries but Shabazz suggested that, without the $50,000 SPORTT subvention, the 30-year-old Morvant/ Laventille-based outfit may be forced to bow out of the T&T Pro League.
He urged Hunt not to let his supposed problems with the T&TFF turn him against football in general.
"I find the attitude to football of Sport Minister Gary Hunt very worrying," said Shabazz, whose team earned the right to compete in next year's Caribbean Club Championship.
"His quarrel with Jack Warner is his quarrel with Jack Warner. But when we start to hear talk that the Sport Company might not give the subvention, I am a very worried man.
"We are not looking for political patronage but we born, live and grow up in an area that belongs to the PNM government from its inception. I want to know if we were under the UNC and there was a team from Caroni if Basdeo Panday or Sat Maharaj would have let that team fold up."
Caledonia head coach Jerry Moe and chairman Brian Lewis felt Wednesday night offered an excellent example of the reach of sport within the volatile community of Morvant/ Laventille.
"I saw guys from Vegas and Malick and all different parts of Morvant who live on a borderline together celebrating (our FA Trophy win)," said Moe.
"Nobody was fighting. Everyone was there holding the trophy and I hope we can build on something like that."
"Hopefully, Caledonia AIA's quest to garner positive headlines for the community it is proud to represent will encourage those who can assist to do so," said Lewis.
"Every win for Caledonia AIA is a small but important victory in a far bigger societal battle."
There were some important individual triumphs for Caledonia too.
Versatile striker Conrad Smith was impossible to knock off the ball and scored one goal for Caledonia while he assisted on the winner.
He is ecstatic to win his first national title-he was abroad when Caledonia copped the Courts Pro Bowl crown earlier this year-but also hopes that Trinidad and Tobago coach Francisco Maturana is taking note.
Smith has five goals from six starts and 11 substitute appearances for his country and hopes to get another chance to wear red, white and black.
There are no current national team members within Caledonia's squad.
"We don't live by the decisions the national coaches make," said Smith.
"We are just trying to make something of ourselves and our club and if the national team recognises that then great. If we are in form, then it is only fair that we get a chance to play with the national team and I definitely think there is national material within this team."
Shabazz feels a national recall is "long overdue" for Caledonia playmaker and 2006 World Cup midfielder Densill Theobald and suggested that he be played in a deeper midfield role, which makes better use of his ability.
"His organisational play in the last four games has shown that he is one of the top midfielders in the country whether home or abroad," said Shabazz. "The bigger concern was his work rate but that seems to have been settled with his improved fitness. I am not one to call for players from only my club because I also think Trent Noel and Noel Williams (Jabloteh) and Devon Jorsling (Defence Force) should come in for strong consideration."
Theobald has already committed himself to Caledonia for next season. Shabazz hopes Hunt will do the same.