US-based defender Julius James is being hailed as a key signing for MLS club Columbus Crew and says he now looking to achieve more success than he did at DC United.James came on in the second half of Crew's 2-1 loss to New England Revolution on Saturday."That's a great addition," Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer said after playing behind James."Having that type of experience is always a plus," Hesmer said."Coach looked down the bench and said 'Julius, left back?'" James said."I said 'Yeah, absolutely.' It was a blessing for a coach to look at me and know I could play."He was waived by United last month after leading its defenders in minutes last season."This is MLS and you get traded and you get waived and it stings," James said. "But one man's trash is another man's treasure."
Aktobe coach welcomes Primus
FC Aktobe head coach Vladamir Mukhanov says he expects to see the benefits of new signing Robert Primus as the new Kazakhstani Premier League kicks into gear in the coming weeks.Primus made his debut for the club earlier this month and Mukhanov spoke this week about the reason for signing the former San Juan Jabloteh player alongside Juan Jose Bezares, a midfielder from Spanish side Sevilla."We signed them because of their qualities as players and people, not because they are exotic," Mukhanov told UEFA.com."We are interested in good players, but they need to fit into our group, they have to be good people too. We play attacking football but we have worked on our defensive shortcomings too. Let's see how we get on," Mukhanov added.The 20-year-old Primus is hoping to cement a starting spot in the team.
"So far I'm settling in well. The climate is different but I'm enjoying it. It's a lot of hard work but this is all part of it. We've been working hard to ensure we have the best possible start to the season," Primus added.Primus' Aktobe top the Kazakhstan Premier League after two matches with six points. He also saw action in their 3-2 win over Irtysh on Saturday.Primus made his debut for T&T during the latter stages of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and appeared at the 2007 Fifa Under 17 World Cup and 2009 Fifa Under 20 World Cup in Egypt.
Ipswich boss: Don't take Scotland lightly
Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell says Jason Scotland's contribution in recent weeks shouldn't be underestimated. The T&T international's battling led to Jimmy Bullard's opening goal at Cardiff on Saturday in what Jewell says was a typical performance. "I think he's done that well for the last few games, in fairness to him," said Jewell.
"Sometimes it's a tough job up front on your own, certainly away from home and certainly the way we played in the first half (at Cardiff)."If you look at Jimmy's goal, Jason has battled. He went up for the header, it came down, he went in for the tackle and it broke to Jimmy."He did that exceptionally well. He worked hard in the first half without a lot of support and in the second half he was the fulcrum of our attacks. "I was pleased with Jason. It would have been nice for him to score."Scotland made an 80th minute appearance while Carlos Edwards saw full action in Ipswich's 0-0 draw with Leeds United on the weekend.
Yorke runs for charity
Dwight Yorke will be participating in the Virgin London Marathon on April 17 to raise funds for visually impaired and blind children.Yorke's goal is to raise funds in excess of £10,000 through Virgin Money Giving, where he can be sponsored and donations will be quickly processed and passed to his charity.
Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this."My chosen charity is close to my heart-Vision-raising funds for the benefit of Blind and Visually Impaired children (www.visioncharity.co.uk). My son, Harvey, has had great support from this charity over the last eight years," Yorke said."Mine has been an incredible and eventful journey, and one I could never have travelled without the help of so many, I now feel it's my turn to return the favour."As many of you will know I enjoy a challenge and when it involves a test of fitness and stamina whilst most importantly supporting a good cause then how could I refuse?"
• Shaun Fuentes is the pressofficer for Soca Warriors/TTFF. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com