Former Southern Connecticut State University and Naparima College defender Ancil Farrier joins the Soca Warriors Online on an exclusive interview. Read more on the T&T defender and his desire to don the Red, White and Black once given another opportunity.
1. After having a good start to your international career where you had earned international caps for Trinidad and Tobago in friendlies against Barbados, Jamaica and England and one against Bermuda in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Now you seemed to have disappeared. What is the latest happening with Ancil Farrier?
AF: - After coming back from San Jose, I have been training with my old university team in Connecticut. Having faith and believing in destiny, I am waiting to see what comes up next. If nothing happens, I am planning on getting my bachelors within the next few months.
2. How was the training at international level. Was it anything you imagine.
AF: - It was everything I thought it would be. Almost everyday the intensity was high, and the quality of the players in Europe was at another level. Also, everyone worked hard and the older players were very encouraging.
3. You had just came off an injury and was summoned by T&T. Did you feel you could have given a better account for yourself under better circumstances.
AF: - I would not blame my injuries for my performance, but I would say that having not played for at least 4 months, it was a little difficult for me to come and play to my full potential.
4. Many supporters on the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) say you are a very good left back and you have the technical ability to be a top class defender providing you make the right steps. But your pace is a worrying. Can you touch on this.
AF: - I am not the fastest player in the world, but coming off surgery and just being thrown into the field does not help my cause also. I am back to full fitness and I know my speed is back, and I ready play at any level.
5. If you had to choose a US based T&T eleven. Who would they be? And explain your selection.
AF: - GK Thorne Holder, RB Yohance Marshall, CB Fabien Lewis, CB Julius James, LB Ancil Farrier, RM Jason Devenish, LM Javed Mohammed, CM Kezi Lara and TJ Williams, FW Randi Patterson and FW Teba McKnight.
These are all players that I have played with and against; therefore I have a good understanding on and off the field with them. Also, they were some of the most decorated Trinidadian players who played/playing in the US college league. So obviously I would go with players who have achieved certain things to play alongside.
6. Do you still keep in touch with the TTFF.
AF: - I have not spoken to anyone since last summer.
7. How was the feeling playing against David Beckham and the English team.
AF: - All I can say that playing against England and lining up against Beckham was a dream come through. Everything happened so fast and within the space of two months, I went from playing in front of a couple hundreds to thousands of people.
8. Your proudest moment in football.
AF: - Representing Trinidad and Tobago.
9. Your worst moment on the field.
AF: - Playing for Naparima College and losing 6-2 against St Anthony in the InterCol finals.
10. Your aim in life as a footballer.
AF: - To play at the highest that I can play and to keep being a student of the game.
11. It was rumored that you turned down a move to sign with MLS team San Jose Earthquakes. Is this true, and if so, care to explain.
AF: - Yes, it wasn’t a rumor. I was offered a developmental contract by San Jose, but in the contract there were certain clauses and the offer was not the best.
12. Some say. You have to creep before you walk. Do you feel that one day you will regret your decision not joining an MLS team to kick-start your career. Using the MLS as a stepping stone in some sort as gaining a contract in Europe is very hard.
AF: - Everything happens for a reason, and only time will tell if I made the right or wrong decision.
13. Which T&T player/s you feel should get a call up to trial/play with the senior team.
AF: - There are a few players out there, Yohance Marshall, Kezi Lara just to name a few.
14. Do you feel and SSFL All-Star team is capable of beating a US All-Star college team.
AF: - It would be difficult, but on a given day, Trinidad players can play against anyone.
15. Ever though of playing in the T&T Pro League.
AF: - It has crossed my mine on may occasions, if everything else fails then I would most likely go back home after I graduate.
16. Care to touch on the recent success of the T&T under 20 team that just qualified for the Under 20 World Cup finals in Egypt.
AF: - I am very happy for them. Many of these players must use this opportunity as a stepping stone and a chance to land a contract. Hopefully one day, we would see these players representing the senior team and helping us qualify for the world cup.
17. Have you every visited the Soca Warriors Online? If so, what are your thoughts?
AF: - I have checked it a couple of times and it seems very opinionated, but also organized, great topics also.
18. Best player/s you've ever played with and against.
AF: - Kezi Lara and Gorean Highley was the most gifted and difficult players I have every played with and against. I always had a tough time against Highley.
About Ancil.
Ancil Farrier (born 21 July 1986 in Los Bajos) is an association football player from Trinidad and Tobago who played in the United States for the Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU).
International Career (Senior Caps - 4):
11-May-08, T&T 3 v 0 Barbados, Friendly, Full Game
01-Jun-08, T&T 0 v 3 England, Friendly, Full Game
07-Jun-08, T&T 1 v 1 Jamaica, Friendly, Ancil Farrier for Aklie Edwards (77')
15-Jun-08, T&T 1 v 2 Bermuda, 2010 World Cup Qualifier, Ancil Farrier for Khaleem Hyland (46')
As a Junior in 2007:
Started all 21 games for the Owls…Named Daktronics First Team All-American…Selected Daktronics First Team All-New England…First Team All-Northeast-10 Conference selection…Tied for fifth in the Northeast-10 in goals (nine), ranked sixth in points (22) and 10th in points per game (1.05) and goals per game (0.43)…Led the team in goals (nine) and points (22); tied for second in assists (four); tied for third in shots on goal (16)…Recorded 28 shots, two game-winning goals and went a perfect three-for-three on penalty kicks…Notched a goal and an assist against Bridgeport on 8/26…Named to Northeast-10 Conference Weekly Honor Roll for the week ending on 8/26…Scored two first-half goals (including the game-winner) and added an assist to tally five points against Bryant on 10/13…Named to Northeast-10 Conference Weekly Honor Roll for the week ending on 10/14…Scored the only goal of the game on a penalty kick in the Northeast-10 Tournament semifinal at Massachusetts-Lowell on 10/31…Named Most Valuable Player of the Northeast-10 Tournament…Named Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Week for the week ending on 11/4…Named to NCAA Championship All-New England Regional Team…Named to Northeast-10 Conference Weekly Honor Roll for the week ending on 11/11.
As a Sophomore in 2006:
Played in all 23 games for the Owls, including 21 starts…Named NSCAA First Team All-New England Region…Selected Daktronics First Team All-New England…Named First Team All-Northeast-10 Conference…Ranked second on the team in goals (five) and points (15); ranked third in assists (five) and shots on goal (14)…Recorded 21 shots, three game-winning goals and went four-for-five on penalty kick attempts…Scored the only goal of the game, his first career goal, on a penalty kick at St. Michael’s on 9/9…Notched a goal and an assist at Assumption on 10/7…Scored the only goal of the game on a penalty kick with 3:21 remaining in the second overtime against New Haven on 10/10…Netted the only goal of the game at Bryant on 10/14.
As a Freshman in 2005:
Played in all 18 games for the Owls, including 17 starts…Selected Second Team All-Northeast-10 Conference…Recorded three assists, three points, 22 shots (six on goal)…Played in his first collegiate game, tallied one shot against East Stroudsburg on 8/26…Notched his first career point with an assist at St. Anselm on 8/31.
Before Southern Connecticut State University:
Two-time All-Star selection in high school at Naparima College (Trinidad)…Team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior.
Personal:
Son of Philomina Farrier…Has two sisters: Anika and Adana, and a brother, Arlington…A communications major.
Note: On behalf on the Soca Warriors Online and Warrior Nation, we say thank you to Mr. Ancil Farrier for taking the time out to do this Q&A Interview for us. We wish you all the best in the future. May Gob Bless you and your family.