“I want to achieve as a team this year,” said Defence Force forward and 2008 Pro League Golden Boot winner Devon Jorsling.
“Last year I did it individually but I’m hoping to do it individually again and this time help the team more. We didn’t have a good season last year, just as the previous years without trophies. But this year I want to change all that and bring something for Defence Force,” continued the 25 year old.
Defence Force, once recognized as the powerhouse of local football, last lifted a trophy in 2002—the First Citizens Cup—and in the previous year the (Caribbean Football Union) CFU Club Championship title.
But in the last six seasons, the Tetron based club has been in a bitter slump, only coming close in 2004 as runners-up in the First Citizens Cup and another runners-up position in 2008 in the Courts Pro Bowl.
“It’s the environment that we’re in,” said Jorsling. “Players from other clubs play because it’s their jobs but here at Defence Force we still know that we have a job off the pitch and guaranteed a salary. So in the years gone by we weren’t playing with that extra effort.”
This season Defence Force promoted Super League coach Ross Russell into the helm of things replacing Kerry Jamerson as head coach.
“We now have a new coach and he is instilling a different value to the club,” continued Jorsling, who believes this season will bring change.
“Pre-season is already showing promise. This is the first year I’ve been in a pre-season and no one was guaranteed a position. It’s a new technical staff and unlike the past, we have to all show our worth for picks. There are no mainstays in the team. Everyone was given their chance to show their worth on the training pitch, even me—although I’ve scored 25 goals last season.”
“We are already seeing players in our squad aspiring to do well for Defence Force and that’s the right attitude for the season ahead,” he added.