Tuesday, 16 August 2011 16:28
Digicel Pro League
“Not only the players felt disappointed, but the entire Police Service,” reflected Police FC head coach Kelvin Jones this week.
Jones was commenting on his team’s ninth positioned finish in the 2010-2011 Digicel Pro League Championship, a two spot jump from the previous season’s 11th spot finish—the club’s return year in the Pro League.
Jones who took over the coaching post from Anthony Marshall midway through last season believes that his team is now a title contender.
“We would count ourselves title contender,” said the former Trinidad and Tobago international. “The players promised me as coach, to bring home at least two titles this season. They(the players) want the League title. They want to qualify for the CFU(Caribbean Football Union) Club Championship and that’s something they want for themselves.”
So far Jones’ has one new addition in 28 year-old now former San Juan Jabloteh defensive midfielder Anton Hutchinson. Jones also hinted on two new additions, but preferred not to mention names until transfer arrangements are concrete.
Further to that Jones’ squad remains the same with goalkeepers Anthony Marshall and Adisa Alleyne and outfield players Adrian Noel, Sayid Freitas, Kyle Andrews, Hayden Jones, Dwight Elliot, Terryl Elwin, Christopher Sam, Neri Joseph, Brendon Christopher, Jason Eastman, Darryl James, Randy Harris, Kerron Clarke, Akeem Marshall, Kelon Williams, Kheon Archie, Jason Boodram, Noel Williams, Kaaron Foster, Devon Bristol, Todd Ryan, Emmanuel Nurse and Akiba Peters, minus forward Keon Quow.
“We are really trying to turn things around (this season),” continued Jones. “The public must understand that we are Police officers first and the duties of the service come first.
“When I took over late last season, we had enough time to put things in place and I think the team we have now is well balanced. We also have some promising players in the academy and I expect them to be part of the team during the season.”
Jones explained that a major difference this season is his team’s pre-season preparation.
“We had the psychologist came in and work with the players,” he said. “We focused more on the attitude of players and we had enough time to pound it in.
“We also worked on the strength work of the players. We had enough time to do a lot of preparation unlike the last two seasons. Trainer Chris Bailey who works with the Women’s National Teams has been doing a fantastic job in getting the players in physical form together with trainer Brian Kennedy,” concluded the Police FC head coach.
Muhammad Isa continues as Technical Director of Police FC, former T&T international goalkeeper Michael Maurice as Goalkeeping Coach, Bailey and Kennedy as Trainers, Brian Headley as Team Manager and Ingrid Issac as Team Administrator.