Ex-DirecTV W Connection goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and present standout defender-turned-midfielder Joevin Jones were on Thursday night named the club's Player of the Year for 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively.However, both players were not present at the Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce Banquet Hall, Couva when the club rewarded its achievers for seasons 2011-12 and 2012-13 with a gala awards function as they are presently in the USA for the Concacaf Gold Cup with the Soca Warriors.Jones, 21, claimed the club's "Player of the Year", "Most Valuable Player" and "Most Goals" accolades all having his name etched on them, following a season that included qualifying for the 2013-14 Concacaf Champions League, winning the Digicel Charity Shield which the club is set to defend in August, and the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield and Digicel Pro Bowl titles."We did not achieve all that we set out to do last (season)," said club chairman David Martin during his opening remarks. "...but we met our key objectives, particularly qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League for the 2013-2014 season."
Prior to the start of the senior team awards, a memorable W Connection Concacaf Champions League video montage was displayed on a large screen, highlighting some of the club's past top performers including Dominican Republic international Jonathon Fana Frias, Brazilian Jose Luiz Seabra and Hughton Hector, to set the tone.Williams, 28, who joined St Ann's Rangers in March–a outcome stemmed by a verbal bust-up with long-serving technical director and coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier two months earlier–was named W Connection's "Most Valuable Player" and "Player of the Year" for the 2011-12 season in which the Savonnetta Boys lifted the Digicel Pro League title.The two-time T&T Pro League "Goalkeeper of the Year" added to his personal cabinet, and will need to clear space next to his 2006 Pro League "Player of the Year", –the only Pro League goalkeeper to win the award.
While other top awards went to Jerrel Britto (Most Goals 2011-12), St Kitts/Nevis international Gerrard Williams (Best Midfielder 2012-13), Surinamese forward Stefano Rijssel (Best Striker 2012-13) and Daneil Cyrus, also in the T&T Gold Cup squad, (Best Defender 2012-13).Lifetime achievement awards were handed out to former top performers and captains Reynold Carrington, Seabra, and St Lucians Earl Jean and Elijah Joseph.Joseph, 38, also received the DirecTV President's award and it was revealed by Connection owner/president David John-Williams that the defender has finally hung up his playing boots and will serve on technical staff."What I personally share with David (John-Williams) is the passion for T&T football and the growing of T&T football," said Bernard Pantin, general manager of DirecTV–the main sponsor of W Connection.
He said it was very easy for DirecTV to want to be associated with W Connection.
Pantin added, "What I think is so good about this team, and so great about the leadership about this team, [is that] everything that this team considers in terms of what is achieved, is being considered in terms of what is achieved for T&T."I was privileged to be with David at the Concacaf Champions League draw in Miami two weeks ago, and you had a sense that we were representing T&T."
Honour Roll
Senior 2012-2013
Player of the Year
Joevin Jones
Most Valuable Player
Joevin Jones
Most Goals
Joevin Jones
Most Improved Player
Kurt Frederick
Most Disciplined Player
Aquelius Sylvester
Best Midfielder
Gerard Williams
Best Striker
Stefano Rijssel
Best Defender
Daneil Cyrus
Presidents Award
Eligah Joseph
Senior 2011-2012
Player of the Year
Jan Michael Williams
Most Valuable Player
Jan Michael Williams
Most Goals
Jerrel Britto
Most Improved Player
Hashim Arcia
Most Disciplined Player
Jelani Grosvenor
Lifetime achievement awards (Legends of W Connection FC)
Reynold Carrington, Earl Jean, Jose Luiz Seabra, Eligah Joseph
Recognition Awards (players that served W Connection youth teams to senior)
Neil Benjamin Jr, Shahdon Winchester, Andrei Pacheco, Hughton Hector
