Digicel T&T Pro League debutant T&TEC FC has vowed to set the bar in local professional football. This was stated by Joel Bailey, the team co-ordinator at its official unveiling for the 2011-2012 season held at T&TEC's Ottley Building, Mt Hope, yesterday. "We are very excited about the impact our team can have on the League and on local football in T&T," said Joel Bailey in his speech. Bailey who offered to fill in for manager Peter Mohan, continued, "Off the field, the club intends to set the bar in T&T professional football, for professional sports in general. "Team T&TEC is also very passionate about revolutionising the sport entertainment industry and the club has a capable and competent management staff. "The club also hopes to develop youth and youth football in our country. The club also has also put in place systems to ensure the desire to improve youth football becomes a reality.
"We at team T&TEC are confident that we can leave a lasting impression on and off the field of play. To acquire the success on the field, the team has managed to acquire some of the top quality players that will compliment the already strong core of players that the team possesses. We at team T&TEC are also confident that the team possesses a capable technical team to bring the team success. "Team T&TEC is a great story of growth and success," added Bailey who reminded of the club's 2008 South Zone title win, 2009 Super League and knockout runner-up positions and 2010 Super League and Knockout Champs. "Our team is one of the few clubs to go through the proper process of league promotion, team development and team growth. Team T&TEC moved up from the lower tiers of local football to (our present position) only after becoming champions of the respective lower leagues," said the ex-player.
T&TEC chairman Omar Khan, a former West Indies cricket team manager and current T&T cricket team manager said it gives him, "great pleasure to witness and be part of this history-making event(the football club entering the top local football tier), one that signifies a higher level of appreciation for sports at T&TEC.
He added, "Our nation is blessed with an unbelievable amount of sporting talent, much of which remains untapped. "Therefore, as chairman of an organisation that considers itself a leader in not only energy delivery, but I dare say, putting people first. I see it as our corporate responsibility to help further the dreams of those young aspiring young sportsmen and sportswomen and help build our nation in the process."
The team's head coach, former national striker Dexter Cyrus said that his realistic goals for his team's Pro League debut season is winning at least one knockout title and finishing in the top four of the league.
Acting General Manager of T&TEC, Neil Williams noted that T&TEC is considered the neophyte, the untested green lot in the Pro League but he is certain all would have been hearing about the "Electric Boys" for some time now and is pretty sure they know what to expect from his club in the Pro League." Defensive midfielder Brent Garcia will wear the captain's armband in the team that includes last season's Super League top scorer Kevon Neaves, former national goalkeeper Clayton Ince and and recent call-up Akini Adams as well as Akeem Adams, Anthony Noreiga, Coneal Thomas, Andrei Pacheco, Romauld Aguillera, Bevon Lewis and Keeron Benito, all of whom have had experience representing T&T at national youth or senior team level.
T&TEC players
Goalkeepers:
Clayton Ince, Akini Adams
Defenders:
Anthony Noreiga, Akeem Adams, Brenton De Leon, Coneal Thomas, Eustace Darius, Javed Mohammed, Kern Peters, Marc Hunte, Timothy John, Weslie John.
Midfielders:
Sylvester Teesdale, Tigana Sparks, Simeon Augustus, Romauld Aguillera, Daniel Garcia, Jamal Ayres, Kelvin Modeste, Keeron Benito, Breant Garcia (captain), Cebastian Bailey, Clyde Leon (on trials in Colombia), Andrei Pacheco, Bevon Bass
Forwards:
Kevon Neaves, Kerlon Ferguson, Vurlon Mills, Bevon Lewis.
Technical staff:
Clayton Morris (technical director), Dexter Cyrus(coach), Desmond Bailey (assistant coach), Clayton Ince (goalkeeper/assistant coach), Joel Bailey (assistant coach/assistant team co-ordinator), Jefferson George (goalkeeper coach), Adarayll John (trainer), Ian Dore (physiotherapist), Peter Mohan (manager), Melvin Springer (assistant manager) and Lester Lal (team coordinator).