The TT Pro League line-up of teams is expected to grow from ten (10) clubs to maybe fourteen (14) clubs in 2009 following interests from South End, Angostura 1976 Phoenix and Marabella Flames among others.
Also in the mix for the 2009 season are Police FC, hoping for a comeback after missing out the 2008 season due to national security reasons. Police FC's debut year in the Pro League was in 2007 which they finished ninth in the League.
TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene confirmed interests by the new clubs saying, "This is unprecedented in the League's history. It augurs well for the League. It shows that we are doing something well. It shows that the brand, TT Pro league, is getting alot of interest locally and internationally because some of these owners are foreign based."
"We will be looking at the proposed entrants when the board of directors meet on February 3rd and at that point we will decide who will be added within the Pro League."
CLICO San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, North East Stars, Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA, Joe Public, United Petrotrin, St Ann's Rangers, Defence Force, Ma Pau SC and Tobago United are all expected to return for the 2009 season however Skeene went on to explain that a demotion process will be discussed in February's Board Meeting.
"Demotion will definitely be discussed. We are also looking forward to working with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) and the Super League to promote teams into the Pro League," added Skeene.
The Board of Directors of the TT Pro League will meet on February 3 and further to that date, announce the successful applicants ahead of the 2009 season.
Marabella Flames confident of Pro League birth.
South based club Marabella Flames is confident that their application to join the Pro League line-up of clubs for the 2009 will be accepted.
Chairman of the club Anthony Lambert based in the US explained that although his club is very young after only being established in 2007 they can meet the requirements of the Pro League with ease.
"We are confident that our application will be accepted," said the Trinidadian businessman. "Financially and with our proper club structure we are ready for the professional level."
"For the past two years we have been preparing ourselves for the professional environment and we are ready. Our main focus establishing Marabella Flames was doing something for the southern community and we are happy that things are looking great for us."
Marabella Flames participated in their first competitive level football in the Southern Football Association in 2008 and finished 6th under coach Jan Steadman—a former Trinidad and Tobago international.
Lambert explained that there will be a number of additions to the club in 2009 as the club is negotiating with a number of coaches internationally and locally but preferred not to release names. The club is also in the process of scouting for players throughout Trinidad.
Further to that, Lambert boasted that his club will have the 'biggest soccer academy' based in south Trinidad. Their academy will be tied with CHAMPS (children happy and motivated playing soccer) United Incorporated—a soccer academy based in the New York.
Marabella Flames will however have to wait along with the applications of South End—another southern based club and Angostura 1976 Phoenix of Tobago to see whether or not their applications will be accepted by the Pro League. The Board of Directors of the TT Pro League will meet on February 3 and further to that date, announce the successful applicants ahead of the 2009 season.