Regis hailed as Central’s Godfather
The Central Football Association considered one of the best-run Regional Association Leagues will kick-off its 2018 FA Cup play-off on August 12 with a doubleheader at St Mary’s Recreation Grounds.
The CFA has had mixed fortunes this year, first losing its instrumental FA Cup sponsor and partner Ramsingh Sportworld due to the economic grind, but has forged relationships with its members that have ensured a level of safety for players and officials, as well as enable attendances at matches are not affected.
The association’s secretary general Clynt Taylor yesterday called on corporate T&T to support the organisation’s its FA Cup tournament which was funded by Ramsingh’s Sportsworld for well over a decade. So far, through Nal Ramsingh, the CFA has received $18,000 to be used as prize monies, trophies and medals, as well as other support, for which Taylor said the CFA is very grateful.
The FA kicks off with Eagles United FC taking on Leeds FC in the opening game at 5 pm. In the second match at 7 pm Family Soccer FC, the second place team in the League will square-off with Perseverance Ballrunners.
Champs Real Central FC, which was formerly Perseverance United last year, will open its campaign six days later (August 18) in a clash with the winner of the Eagles/Leeds FC match. They face an uphill task to retain their title though, with Central Soccerworld at the top of the standings on 24 points after 10 matches and are unbeaten to date in excellent form.
Central Soccerworld will face the winner of the Ballrunners/Family Soccer encounter on August 15 in its opening match.
Taylor told Guardian Media Sports yesterday that in spite of his association’s search for a partner for the FA Cup, the CFA’s relationship with its members has been a bright spark in the midst of the dark. He singled out Christopher Regis, the Eagles manager whose contribution to providing police escort service to teams affected by the out-of-control crime scourge, has gained the recognition of all in the CFA and participating communities.
With Regis’ help, teams are taken to and from matches safely. Regis’, the hard-working Eagles boss who appears to be a lover of family and community, also ensures that there is a police presence at matches.
According to Taylor “We are very pleased with the work that Regis has done and continues to do, and we want to work with him and encourage him to keep up the fight to ensuring that the young people in the various communities are well served.”