He's captained the T&T team and continues to be a key member of the Caledonia AIA team, Densill Theobald was this week in for some plaudits by Indian footballer Creson Antao, who became the latest Goan star to join the Flaming Oranje for the Indian Super League.
Creson enjoyed a successful period with Dempo where he lined up alongside Theobald, helping them to win four I-League titles, but his fondest memory was reaching the semifinals of the AFC Cup.
"Each day he (Theobald) would motivate me to arrive half an hour early for practice, so we could work on our touch. He has played in the World Cup for T&T and it was very encouraging for a player of that stature to take such an interest in local players," said Creson, who described Theobald as his favourite player.
The former 2006 World Cup team member said he was touched by Creson's sentiments.
"I wasn't aware of his comments until it came across on the goal.com website but I must say it was a great feeling to know that a player from India who got to know me coming from T&T and entering a totally different culture, could have this kind of respect and feeling towards me. I'm quite pleased to have left a positive impression and to have influenced him in that way," Theobald said.
Fellow T&T international Cornell Glen is set to join North East United for the upcoming Indian Super League while Anthony Wolfe is coming off a relatively successful season with Churchill Brothers in the Indian Premier League last season.
Jones pumped for Cardiff Championship challenge
Coming off his season opening goal against Blackburn Rovers, national team captain Kenwyne Jones is all raring to lead Cardiff City's push for promotion back into the English Premier League.
Jones has not played in the Championship Division for seven years but is hopeful that a return to form could see him grab the headlines again like he did at Southampton.
"It's been seven years, almost exactly, since I last played in the Championship and it can be a different challenge," said Jones after his opener at Ewood Park.
"There are so many matches to fit in, you don't have time to worry. As soon as you have played one Championship match there is another coming up fast.
"At this level there are times when you have to go on adrenalin and get on with it. It can also work against you when there is lots of time to train. Sometimes there can be too many ideas and it can become complicated.
"I'm excited about the challenge ahead, I love scoring goals, and if we are going to regain our Premier League place, those goals are going to be needed."
Jones led T&T in the friendlies against Argentina and Iran in June and reportedly returned for preseason as fit as ever. His selection by head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start alongside Nick Maynard against Blackburn surprised some.
"I don't know if I am different from last season, which was tough for us as a team," said Jones. "Now we have a specific goal and that is to be back in the Premier League next August.
"It's important to get in shape because at Championship level there are matches coming up all the time. It's going to take a lot of effort from everybody if we are to build and sustain a challenge."
Waldrum commends TTFA for sending women to Houston
Currently overseeing the national senior women's team preparations in Houston, American-born coach Randy Waldrum has commended the T&T Football Association (TTFA) for its efforts in sending the team to the United States for a training camp.
Waldrum said it has been a boost to the team's readiness ahead of the Caribbean Final round of World Cup qualification which gets going in T&T on August 19. T&T plays its first game against St Kitts/Nevis on Wednesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium at 7.15 pm.
"Being able to get the Trinidadians here to Houston to train, then that didn't make it difficult," Waldrum told Goal USA.
"It would've been almost impossible for me to get back and forth; I couldn't have done it. But since Trinidad and the federation made a commitment to send the players in, that was a big help, so that part's worked out nicely."
Waldrum coached one of the nation's youth sides several years ago and says quality of play and federation support has increased exponentially - especially the new administration in charge of the TTFA. Still, though, there are many hurdles to clear before the region is able to compete regularly with the powerhouse teams in North America.
"I think the Caribbean has got to make its commitment to the women's game strong from top to bottom both in the grassroots and also in the national team programs," Waldrum said. "And I think the other piece of it is just finances are always going to be an issue. More money has to be poured in the women's side."
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Boucaud joins Dagenham & Redbridge
T&T senior team midfielder Andre Boucaud has joined Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-year deal after impressing on a preseason trial.
Dagenham campaigns in the English League Two. Boucaud is only the third overseas player in the club alongside Rhys Murphy and Jack Connors of Republic of Ireland who have both represented that country at the international level.
"I'm quite pleased to be at Dagenham. It's a club with a lot of ambition and we're looking to make a push for promotion this season. The trial went quite well and they've signed me for a year. I'll be looking to play my part and get in as much as matches and make a good contribution to the club," said Boucaud, who lined up for T&T in the June friendlies against Argentina and Iran.
Boucaud started his career in the youth system at Queen's Park Rangers before signing with Reading FC in 2002. He later went on to play for several other clubs including Luton Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Peterborough, York City and Notts County.
Shaun Fuentes is the director of communications for the T&T Football Association. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com