TT Pro League debutant T&TEC FC officially unveiled its 2011-2012 squad and technical staff on Monday morning at T&TEC’s Ottley Building, Mt. Hope and vows to set the bar in local professional football.
T&TEC, the newest member club of the TT Pro League, made a number of high profile additions in its roster and technical staff and will take on defending Digicel Pro League champions Defence Force in its opening fixture.
The presentation included Clayton Morris (Technical Director), Dexter Cyrus (Head Coach), Desmond Bailey (Assistant Coach), World Cup player Clayton Ince (Goalkeeper/Assistant Coach), former player Joel Bailey (Assistant Coach/Assistant Team Coordinator), T&T goalkeeping coach Jefferson George (Goalkeeper Coach), Adarayll John (Trainer), Ian Dore (Physiotherapist), Peter Mohan (Manager), Melvin Springer (Assistant Manager) and Lester Lal (Team Coordinator).
Defensive midfielder Brent Garcia will wear the captain’s armband in the team that includes last season’s Super League top scorer Kevon Neaves, goalkeepers Ince and Akini Adams (T&T international), defenders Akeem Adams (T&T international), Anthony Noreiga (former T&T international), Brenton De Leon, Coneal Thomas (former T&T U23 player), Eustace Darius, Javed Mohammed, Kern Peters, Marc Hunte, Timothy John, Weslie John, midfielders Sylvester Teesdale (former T&T U23 player), Tigana Sparks, Romauld Aguillera (former T&T international), Simeon Augustus, Jamal Ayres, Keeron Benito, Kelvin Modeste, Brent Garcia, Cebastien Bailey, Andrei Pacheco (T&T international) and Bevon Bass and forwards Bevon Lewis, Kurlon Ferguson and Vurlon Mills (Guyanese international).
“We are very excited about the impact our team can have on the League and on local football in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Joel Bailey in his speech.
Bailey who offered to fill in for Manager Peter Mohan, continued, “Off the field, the club intends to set the bar in Trinidad and Tobago professional football, for professional sports in general.
“Team T&TEC is also very passionate about revolutionizing the sport entertainment industry and the club has a capable and competent management staff.
“The club also hopes to develop youth and youth football in our country. The club also has also put in place systems to ensure the desire to improve youth football becomes a reality.
“We at team T&TEC are confident that we can leave a lasting impression on and off the field of play. To acquire the success on the field, the team has managed to acquire some of the top quality players that will compliment the already strong core of players that the team possesses. We at team T&TEC are also confident that the team possesses a capable technical team to bring the team success.
“Team T&TEC is a great story of growth and success,” added Bailey who reminded of the club’s 2008 South Zone title win, 2009 Super League and Knockout runner-up positions and 2010 Super League and Knockout Champs.
“Our team is one of the few clubs to go through the proper process of league promotion, team development and team growth. Team T&TEC moved up from the lower tiers of local football to (our present position) only after becoming champions of the respective lower leagues,” said the ex-player.
T&TEC Chairman Omar Khan, a former West Indies Cricket Team manager and current T&T Cricket Team manager said it gives him, “Great pleasure to witness and be part of this history-making event(the football club entering the top local football tier), one that signifies a higher level of appreciation for sports at T&TEC.
He added, “Our nation is blessed with an unbelievable amount of sporting talent, much of which remains untapped.
“Therefore as Chairman of an organisation that considers itself a leader in not only energy delivery, but I dare say, putting people first. I see it as our corporate responsibility to help further the dreams of those young aspiring young sportsmen and sportswomen and help build our nation in the process.”
Head Coach Cyrus said that his realistic goals for his team’s Pro League debut season is winning at least one knockout title and finishing in the top four of the League Championship.
Meantime Acting General Manager of T&TEC Mr. Neil Williams had a simple message in his opening speech at Monday’s team presentation.
“Our team is considered the neophyte, the untested green lot in the Pro League but I’m certain all of you would have been hearing about the “Electric Boys” for some time now,” Williams said.
“The team’s genesis actually started a few years ago, when T&TEC’s Southern Sports and Cultural Club formed a football team to compete in the Southern Football Association competition. In 2007 we placed 2nd and won the competition in 2008 getting promoted into the semi-professional league (Super League).
“The team went on to become Super League and knockout runner-ups in 2009 and Champions in 2010. And with such a track record, I’m sure you know what to expect from us in the Pro League,” said the T&TEC AGM.