Midfielder Marvin Oliver has re-joined Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh four months after being axed by then coach, Terry Fenwick for participation in a BGTT/Counselor Zoff Celestine sponsored Tyro Sports Club Bourg Mulatresse League back in March.
Jabloteh now under new coach Earl Carter has agreed on retaining the dreadlocked midfielder for the 2011-2012 TT Pro League season.
Carter who coached Oliver during the early 90’s in the New York Caribbean Tournament with Team Trinidad and Tobago USA said, “Marvin is a good player. I could see the leadership in him and all that he has demonstrated in training (with Jabloteh) is positive. And he has assured me that he will work in the best interest of the team.”
The 36 year old Oliver won the 2007 Toyota/Pro League Player of the Year with then club Caledonia before making a shock move the following year when he joined neighbouring rivals Jabloteh.
In 2010 Oliver received a warning by Fenwick for involvement in minor-League as a professional player. Oliver was fined and temporarily stripped of the captain’s armband for appearing as player/coach in the Bourg Mulatresse League.
At the time Fenwick said, “I wrapped his knuckles and told him he needs to be more responsible.”
But in March 2011 following Oliver’s sacking, Fenwick said, “It’s unfortunate. He took the chance and paid the price as a consequence.
“Oliver is a guy that I have great respect for and wanted to prepare him for coaching because at 36, he was coming to the end of his playing career. He will give a good fight in every game but the discipline isn't there.
“And it doesn’t matter who you are, if you don’t have discipline then you can’t fit in.”
Oliver has another chance at his hometown club and coach Carter has an entirely different remedy.
“Marvin had some problems at the club but I wasn’t the coach,” Carter said. “It would be unfair of me not to give him a chance once the club is ok with it. I believe what needs to be done, is to educate players more. We now have to educate them on the negatives because I don’t see a need for a professional player to go play in the minor leagues.
“We must embark on a more educational approach and try and harness them rather than punish them. Countries outside of Trinidad and Tobago don’t do that. They realized that it’s better to work with the players, educate them and bring in psychologists because it’s smarter to help build the player than break down the team,” ended the former US based coach.