Former England international footballer Terry Fenwick has been returned as coach of struggling San Juan Jabloteh who are campaigning in the TT Pro League.
Newsday has been reliably informed that Fenwick has been recalled after making his exit from the team following the financial problems of the CL Financial conglomerate which was owned by Lawrence Duprey earlier this year.
The former England defender gained notoriety when he was dribbled-past by Argentinian midfielder Diego Maradona during the “Hand of God” goal 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
It is understood that he was considering taking legal action after the club was unable to pay salaries to players and coaches. Fenwick’s contract expired at the end of 2010 and Fenwick was reportedly owed millions.
CL Financial reportedly supplied the club with a whopping $350,000 monthly before the collapse. The club which comprises numerous youth teams, a reserve league team, Superleague team, TT Pro League team as well as a netball team were all funded by Clico.
According to the source Fenwick received a monthly salary of well over $100,000 which included bonuses and other perks.
Contacted also Travis Mulraine, the team’s assistant coach confirmed that his staff received letters informing them of Fenwick’s return to the club for the rest of the season and the following year.
His return means that Mulraine’s position as well as that of team coach Earl Jean, a recruit from W Connection, could be in jeopardy. San Juan Jabloteh struggled to win any title this year and in the Toyota Cup final they were clobbered 4-0 by Joe Public earlier this month.
Quizzed about the team’s performances this year Mulraine said he was relatively satisfied with the performances, considering the exodus of players that resulted from the collapse. Mulraine, a former national midfielder and captain hinted that the spate of poor performances stemmed from indiscipline within the camp.
Mulraine who also missed out on an international contract during his playing days with the Joe Public Football Club in the 1990s said the indiscipline within the camp interrupted their programme this year.
He lashed out at local players for their lack of commitment which has been providing them with their bread and butter daily. He is now aiming to gets his FA “A” Licence next year.
Mulraine has expressed an interest in coaching at the national level and yesterday he noted that if that does not happen, he will explore his options in coaching abroad saying local players are not ready to take on seriousness of professional football.
In the meantime however, Mulraine is awaiting interests from local clubs in the TT Pro League.
Fenwick re-appointed as Jabloteh coach.
By: Randi Bando (ttproleague).
San Juan Jabloteh have re-appointed Englishman Terry Fenwick as head coach last week following the axing of St Lucien Earl Jean and assistant Travis Mulraine who guided the club to a trophy-less 2009 season.
It’s the third time the former England international has been re-appointed as head coach of the San Juan based club.
Fenwick, who withheld his services from the club for the 2009 campaign over salary dispute—after Jabloteh’s chief sponsor CLICO filed bankruptcy—watched from the stands as his side failed to defend three titles (League Championship, Big Six and Toyota Classic) all won under the Englishman in 2008 and suffered midway exits in the Digicel Pro Bowl and FA Trophy.
“As you are aware I was involved in some legal matters with the club at the start of the year over my non-payment of salaries,” said Fenwick in an interview last week.
“But that issue has been resolved and I have signed a new contract with the club. I’m now looking forward to taking the club back to the top of local football.”
Jabloteh sacked Jean, Mulraine and team administrator Wesley Webb when they ended the season early following a 3-1 defeat against W Connection in the FA Trophy Round of 16.
Jean guided Jabloteh to a third place finish in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship to qualify for the Concacaf Champions League where they eventually reached the group stages but failed to muster a win.
Jabloteh had to settle for second spot in the Digicel Pro League, Big Six and Toyota Classic competitions, all won by rivals Bmobile Joe Public.
Looking ahead to 2010, Fenwick, who led the club to three Pro League titles—including back-to-back triumphs in 2007 and 2008—said he plans to build a very strong team.
“I have been around football in T&T over the last year keeping my eyes on players in the Pro League and even in the Secondary Schools Football League,” said Fenwick. “I am looking to recruit some young quality players from the school system and also add some players from other clubs who will be out of contract.
“In addition, I’m also on the lookout for two or three coaches to join my new staff.”