Former Trinidad and Tobago shot-stopper Kelvin Jack still wants to play for Trinidad and Tobago but admits it would be impossible once the current administration remains in power.
He mentioned that the blacklist still exists and the courts battle won against the TTFF is far from over. Kelvin had the following to say:
"Well Flex you tell me. I think one will have to presume the blacklist still exists."
"Lets be honest Mr. Jack Warner and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) have been found to be completely guilty by arbitration in London, and the courts in Trinidad and Tobago as well.”
"We do not think this court battle is over. We know that Jack Warner and the TTFF will do everything in their power to not honour their contract with us".
"Our legal team are working very hard to cover every possible base. We are wary, prepared and confident.”
“Concerning my international career, I have not retired. The TTFF will not select me."
"Will they really select a player who is part of the bonus dispute? I doubt it. All the boys have been asking for is respect and honesty."
I am sure of that. The only man who is or was brave enough to select certain players was Mr. Leo Beenhakker. I am still only 34 and can still add a lot to T&T football."
"Injuries have destroyed my club career but I am injury free at the moment and I still work very hard everyday in training."
"When I eventually retire at some point, I intend to coach Trinidad and Tobago to a World Cup. By that time, hopefully we will have good people running the federation."
"I am fully aware that all the fans will like to know the truth behind everything but I have to be careful with the things I say."
"We live in a world where somebody could be an idiot and everyone could know he/she is an idiot but if you call he/she an idiot in the press they may cry slander. Patience, all will come out."
When asked about what was his thoughts were on T&T football and coach Russell Latapy at the moment, especially coming off such a terrible display to Jamaica in Trinidad, Kelvin said: "Our football needs a total overhaul.”
"It is too amateur and disorganized. For example, Costa Rica, Canada and Jamaica played proper friendly games before the World Cup. Who did we play?"
"I think we played Antigua or some other Caribbean side. We are miles behind and we all know where the blame lies."
“As for Latapy, I do not know Russell's coaching or playing philosophy. I have not seen the team play. But it is a sin for us to lose against Jamaica. It is our derby and you must win the derby."
And finally to cap things off on a softer note, one could not forget the brilliances of Kelvin's last minute save in Bahrain and the ball that went into the net illegally.
Bahrain’s Hussain Ali literally took the ball off Kelvin’s hands as the keeper released it to punt it up field, and flicked the ball over the head of Jack to score into an empty net .
With order restored and the home side reduced to ten men following Hussain Baba’s red card for dissent, Bahrain had one final push and Hussain Ali came agonisingly close to the goal that would send the match into extra-time.
But Ali’s sharp turn and blistering snap shot brought out a world class, one-handed save from Jack, who for the best part of 90 minutes had provided the home fans with one or two moments of comic relief with some bizarre goalkeeping.
But as the much-travelled 29-year old, who had been keeping former Newcastle and West Ham United keeper Shaka Hislop on the bench, displayed some phenomenal reflexes when it mattered most, no Bahraini was laughing...
Kelvin reacted; "It was not a goal. I was unconcerned because many players have tried it. Thiery Henry and the late George Best tried it as well. The goal was disallowed."
"And about the save. That save was the most important I have made but its not my best. I guess that’s why one must work hard on agility and flexibility. Thank God I made the save, ended the Darlington keeper."