Englishman Terry Fenwick is back in the TT Pro League and brings along the queen, no… not Queen Elizabeth III.
In fact, Fenwick has been instrumental in the merging of Pro League club St. Ann’s Rangers and North Zone outfit QPCC to form Queen’s Park FC which will line up to challenge title defenders Defence Force in 2011-2012.
The former England international defender continues to exploit his coaching in a society that holds mixed emotions about him.
However certainly boast himself as the current King of coaching with huge managerial success. Fenwick guided San Juan Jabloteh to four (2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008) TT Pro League Championships since arriving in Trinidad back in 2001. He also guided the San Juan club to two FA Trophies, three Pro Bowl titles, one First Citizens Cup and one Toyota Classic. His success also saw the club win the 2003 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship along with participation in three seasons of the CONCACAF Champions’ League.
Fenwick’s contract with Jabloteh was terminated in February of 2011 based on contractual agreements following the withdrawal of club sponsor CLICO, forcing the 51 year old ‘Seaham’ to hunt new employers.
He now vows to bring success to his new club saying, “We(Queen’s Park FC) have a number of things melting in the pot to make this the best football club in two or three years.
“Rangers’ owner Richard Fakoory has done a fabulous job for over 35 years in local football but just as many clubs with financial difficulties needed to get the support. So bringing the two clubs together, gives us a wonderful opportunity within the Queen’s Park Oval—the best facilities in Trinidad and Tobago—to put together winning teams at all levels and that’s what we are trying to do one step at a time.”
He added, “We would like to tap into the corporate [connections] of Queen’s Park and make sure they’re putting back into Trinidad and Tobago, particularly into guys that are not quite academic as we would like them to be. Keeping them out of trouble; making sure they’re doing the right things; making sure they’re operating in a disciplined environment and helping the younger kids come forward.”
Fenwick began screenings last Wednesday and said that already, the enthusiasm shown by players have been excellent.
“Top players from around Trinidad want to be part of this,” he said. “We’ve got some terrific players coming in to train with us. And we all know that my teams have always been on the top of local football and we want to continue and start ourselves at that level. We want to knock on the door from first year.”
Fenwick who has also been instrumental in a number of foreign contracts of players over the years and is known for throwing young players into the spotlight said, “We want a top academy. We want to make sure we get the best kids around Trinidad and Tobago and run the best and most disciplined football operations in the Caribbean.
“I know this is going to be the best local academy. I’ve already gotten twenty-two players overseas contracts. That’s miles more than any other coach in the country and we aim to double that figure over the coming two to three years here at Queen’s Park football club,” said the ex-English Premier League player.