It wasn’t a surprise on Wednesday night during the 2009 TT Pro League Awards function held at the SPALKERS Sports Bar in Cascade, St. Ann’s when Bmobile Joe Public forward Kerry Baptiste was named 2009 Player of the Year.
However the 28 year-old midfielder turned forward (which was a masterstroke by coach Derek King) was surprized when it was announced that his rewards included a new Toyota Yaris courtesy sponsor Toyota Trinidad and Tobago Limited.
Toyota continued its association with the Player of the Year having rewarded 2007 Player of the Year Marvin Oliver a Yaris, 2008 Player of the Year Trent Noel a Dihatsu Sirion and now Baptiste the keys to his Yaris for 2009.
Baptiste received deserving applauds by all present after winning the award well clear of his challengers for his performances throughout last season which helped the club to a historic five titles—Digicel Pro League Championship, Big Six, Toyota Classic, Digicel Pro Bowl and TTFF FA Trophy.
It was his third personal award on the night having picked up the Golden Boot and Forward of the Year awards earlier.
But of course the 28 yearold Trinidad and Tobago international was most elated over his Toyota Yaris and Player of the Year award.
“Its really great,” said the Joe Public captain. “I couldn’t have done this without God. Hard work really do bring success and it paid off well.
“I cant really explain the great feeling right now, but most of all I would like to thank God for what I have achieved. I would also like to thank my coaching staff David Prince, Dale Saunders, ‘Arab’ Nelson, Managing Director Daryll Warner and very importantly head coach Derek King.
My teammates are also to be thanked because without them I wouldn’t have achieved all that I have,” said the elated Trinidad and Tobago international naming players such as Carlyle Mitchell, Kareem Young, Hayden Tinto, Trent Noel and Kareem Moses.”
Baptiste explained that with God in his life and hard work, success came his way.
“With God in my life, I have a quote in which I go by—I shed a lot at peace time, so I bleed less at war. So working hard during and before pre-season and in the season actually worked for me,” ended the 2009 most prolific player.