FC South End co-owner and Technical Director Anthony Rougier has selected what is a ‘totally south based’ outfit in their debut year in the TT Pro League.
Rougier has selected a bunch including Kester Cornwall, Romauld Aguillera, Aquelius Sylvester, Sadiki Stewart, Marlon Stoute, Brenton DeLeon, Sylvester Teesdale, Larry Bacchus, Sean Leoungtat, Kelvin Hernandez, Jimmeal Huygue, Kendall Davis, Kurt Williams, Kevin Rouse, Anthony Haynes, Perry Martin, Moriba Baker, Donrick Mascall, Eddison Smart, Ronell Gibbs all from the southern districts with only Dexter Alleyne coming in from Port of Spain.
Even the technical staff are made up of Southerners with Rougier(Technical Director/Head Coach), Leroy De Leon(Assistant Coach), Michael Maurice(Goalkeeper Coach), Adarayall John(Trainer) and Darren Ali(Team Manager).
“I’m going to prepare these guys to compete. South needs a football team and a football team to compete. W Connection, Joe Public and Jabloteh have the experience; they have the guys who have done it before and they have some of the financial backing, but I promise the people of South that when those teams don’t be on top of their game, we will capitalize on that,” said Rougier.
“It was bringing players who can handle what I want to do. It’s very important that I set a good example in my first season. It’s just not a matter of ability in my squad. You have to have a certain amount of discipline with respect to the game and if you can balance those two...only then you will merit being a decent player in your career,” continued the former European based and T&T international footballer.
Rougier, together with his staff have been grooming his bunch for the past few months ahead of the Pro League season which begins on May 8.
“It’s coming along pretty well and I think that we will be ready to compete and not just be a number. I can safely say that everything is coming along as planned,” he said. “I needed players with the ability to understand professionalism. I also believe that it would be easier for players living closer to south and that was one of my criteria. I know it’s a harsh one but we have a lot to do in our community and build our fan-base.
“I have to also be optimistic and respectable to the other teams in the League. This is the first time these guys a playing together for the first time at this level. I am also the owner of the club so that means I can take my time and do things right. I know the fans will be expecting this team to win—because we are a team from South.
“But what is important, is preparing players to be able to compete at a high level and that’s one of the problem we are seeing with the (T&T) National Team. At club level we don’t prepare players properly and I think that we, the clubs of the professional league have to do our part and help the national coaches.
“My theme (this season) is professionalism. So getting my team to a standard of fitness and to a standard of professionalism is a big thing here at South End. I’m new to this and I’m learning every single day but thank god I’m enjoying it.”
Rougier admits that his team is in a learning stage, but vows that the people of South Trinidad will have something ‘admirable’ to call their own.
“The thing for me is being able to have a team that can play together and live up to the people of south and the people of Trinidad and Tobago. We have some experience in our squad but there are still a lot to be learnt. So for everybody in my squad, it’s a new page and I’m going to give them everything that I have learnt over the years as a player. The other part is allowing them to enjoy themselves and we will see that this season with the likes of Sylvester Teesdale, Anthony Haynes, Marlon Stoute and Romauld Aguillera,” added the former United Petrotrin player.