Guaya United's head coach Ron LaForest deemed his team's title win in its inaugural blink/bmobile National Super League season, a massive stepping stone for the prospect of wide scale community-based semi-pro and professional football.
Only one season after claiming the Eastern Counties Football Union's league title for the first time, Guaya, dubbed the Green Army, created history as the first team to capture the second-tier title in its first attempt. Guaya captured the title after defeating Siparia Spurs 2-1 at the Palo Seco Velodrome, on Sunday.
The fans, most of whom reside in the communities of Guayaguayare and Mayaro have been the backbone of the team even before its triumphs at the zonal level. "Guaya has the most supporters in T&T football right now," claimed La Forest, who said they consistently made the trip to all corners of the country during all competitions.
The public already has support for the idea of community based teams, according to LaForest. "I must say we appreciate the public and their support for community football. It (community teams) have been missing from top leagues," he added.
"It (Guaya's win) speaks volumes. It's something that has been missing in the region. In days gone by, there were massive players who passed through. Guaya had something really good. But something was missing. Guaya was lacking an opening. This is the perfect opening." He credited both Malabar FC and Club Sando, which challenged Guaya throughout the campaign as smaller clubs moving in the right direction.
Guaya's win graced the community, which responded with motorcades from Palo Seco to the Southeastern coast. "They (the players) worked hard. They are a bunch of unknown footballers who wanted to be out there. And, this was for them," said LaForest.
The former national assistant coach and standout striker, La Forest is not putting his head on a block for the idea of Guaya's participation in top flight football, but said there is mutual respect and interest between the club and the TT Pro League. "Management has to decide on Guaya's next step."
The team will be the recipient of $200,000 allocated to the title winner. Club Sando will take $100,000, in addition to the $75,000 prize for winning the NSL knockout title last season. LaForest said most, if not all of the prize money will go back into the team's development and football in surrounding communities.
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