A battle between Digicel Pro League clubs, bmobile Joe Public and United Petrotrin is all but over for the services of Trent Noel, the 2008 Pro League “Player of the Year”. This comes amid reports that the 32-year-old Noel, a native of Carenage, had signed for Joe Public on the weekend.
However, officials at the Pro League office confirmed that Noel is a legally registered United Petrotrin player and until the transfer window re-opens in August, Noel’s one-year agreement with that club is valid. Noel, a former golfer, signed with the “Oilmen” after his contract with two-time defending champions Clico San Juan Jabloteh expired at the end of last season. Yesterday, Arnold Corneal, chairman of the Petrotrin football club said: “We had a team meeting this morning (yesterday) and he (Noel) was present. His status is that he’s still a United Petrotrin player and was registered by us for the 2009 league season.”
Asked if Noel had attended the team’s practice sessions, Corneal said, “The last time he trained with the team was over a week ago because he has been involved with the national team training sessions.” He said Noel will be involved in the “Oilmen” for its league opener against Ma Pau at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar tonight, but that depends on the coach. Noel was also voted as Jabloteh’s 2008 “Player of the Year” last December after scoring 16 goals. Jabloteh won the Pro League, Toyota Classic and Lucozade Big Six titles. Under the rules of the Pro League the only way Noel can join Joe Public before August is if Petrotrin terminates his contract and makes it null and void.
During the off-season, Petrotrin was perhaps the busiest Pro League club signing a new coach in Brazilian Marcos Tinoco and several former national players. Among the new experience brigade at Petrotrin are former ‘Player of The Year’ Arnold Dwarika, midfielder Aurtis Whitley, defenders Stokely Mason and Cyd Gray and strikers Nigel ‘Croc’ Pierre and Gary Glasgow. Meanwhile, young Soca Warriors winger Keon Daniel, formerly of Petrotrin, has signed for Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille for the 2009 season after completing his registration yesterday.
Hardworking Noel worthy choice of Pro League MVP.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
Trent Noel was in an appreciative mood after he was announced on Friday night as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2008 Pro League season.
The 33-year-old hard-working midfielder was the undisputed winner of the MVP crown, having led San Juan Jabloteh to the league, Big Six and Toyota Classic titles.
The honour earned him a Daihatsu Sirion courtesy of sponsors Toyota Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
Later the Carenage resident refused to confirm speculation that he was joining Joe Public instead of United Petrotrin this season. The move was confirmed during the weekend by Joe Public’s coach Derek King.
When asked about winning the award, Noel replied, “It’s a great feeling.
“To get that kind of achievement is a great feeling,” he added. “It shows the hard work I put in, not just on the field but off the field too.”
Noel, who played for Jabloteh from 2002 until 2008, after beginning his professional career with Police, said the key to his success last season was “keeping my head up high and working hard.”
Nonetheless, Noel was displeased about the fact that the awards were announced on Friday, five months after the last season concluded.
“That’s just what I don’t like about our League,” he stated. “It’s a good league but I don’t like the presentation because you never know if a man is going to stay (with his club) or not.
“I think the presentation should (be kept) the same year (as the season),” he continued. “Like how I move on now, I find it feels kind of strange that I’m receiving the trophies, as last year’s captain of Jabloteh.”
Noel, who was virtually overlooked by former national coach Francisco Maturana, is keen on making a positive impression on new Trinidad and Tobago coach Russell Latapy.
“My goal for this year is to stay at a high level as last year, not to drop my ability nor standard,” he stated, “continue to work hard and try to make the (national) team, not as a reserve but on the starting team.”
Other Award–
League Champions: San Juan Jabloteh.
Golden Boot (Leading Goal Scorer): Devon Jorsling (Defence Force) – 21 goals.
Coach of the Year: Terry Fenwick (San Juan Jabloteh).
Team Administrator (Manager) of the Year: Raymond McLean (W Connection).
Team of the Year: San Juan Jabloteh.
Most Disciplined Team: North East Stars.
Referee of the Year: Neal Brizan.
Assistant Referee of the Year: Joseph Taylor.
Match Commissioner of the Year: Boris Punch.