Trinidad and Tobago’s Dennis Lawrence wrote his name into the history books as the first man from the Caribbean to be on the coaching staff of the English FA Cup champions.
Lawrence is an assistant coach to Wigan Athletic manager (head coach) Roberto Martinez and reveled in the team’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City on the weekend.
Prior to this year, Wigan’s best finish was reaching the quarter-finals in 1987.
“It will be remembered as one of the great FA Cup stories of modern times. Wigan had the FA Cup in their possession and can be considered in the same company as Sunderland in 1973, Southampton in 1976 and Wimbledon in 1988. Roberto Martínez’s team had been superb and Ben Watson’s stoppage-time winner automatically takes its place as the showtime moment of an eccentric success story,” The UK Guardian stated.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation president Raymond Tim Kee and general secretary Sheldon Phillips described the achievement as praiseworthy, adding that Lawrence’s presence on the Wigan coaching staff was worthy of commendation.
“I know Dennis has worked hard to successfully transition to the next phase of his football career and am extremely happy for his most recent accomplishment as FA Cup Champion. This along with the acquisition of his UEFA ‘A’ Badge is a model for our players to aspire,” Phillips told TTFF Media.
Lawrence, a former Swansea City, Wrexham and Defence Force player, also received confirmation of his UEFA A Licence after two years of studying, according to his agent Mike Berry.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for Dennis and for Trinidad and Tobago. He continues to do everything with his country in mind also. He’s very proud to be able to carry his country’s name and he continues to strive for betterment. He did it as a player and the same continues now for him as a coach,” Berry said.
Lawrence, remembered mostly for his winning goal versus Bahrain that pushed T&T through to the 2006 World Cup, will now focus on Wigan’s all-important clash with Arsenal today as they attempt to stay up in the Premiership next season.