Still one of the most talented defenders in the TT Pro League at age 37, St. Lucian Elijah Joseph has sacrificed himself to respect the philosophy of his club W Connection.
Although still very enthusiastic to run out in the starting line-up for the club he has served remarkably well in the last decade, Joseph takes the back seat and allows way for younger players suck as Mekeil Williams and Akeem Benjamin.
“Elijah is a legend in our club,” said his countryman and Connection head coach Stuart Charles Fevrier on Saturday.
“Actually we wanted him to join our technical staff (this season) but he still wanted to play and we definitely supported him.”
Joseph who undoubtedly has the most caps for Connection and captained the side in the past seasons, relinquished the armband to 26 year old Hughtun Hector this season.
He was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback victory over visiting St. Ann’s Rangers at the Ato Boldon Stadium—their opening 2011-2012 Digicel Pro League Championship fixture.
“We told him that we wanted to give the younger players a chance and he is in total support,” added Fevrier.
“He will definitely be playing games this season (because that’s what he wants to do and very capable of).”
Fevrier rated Joseph, “In my mind the best player in the last decade of professional football in Trinidad and Tobago.”
According to Fevrier, Connection’s philosophy remains the same in developing players for both national and international level.