Head coach of the T&T Red Force Mervyn Dillon said yesterday that he did not receive a letter from the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) stating that they were going to advertise the head coach position at the end of his contract which expires on April 30.
The former West Indies fast bowler said the board is within its rights to advertise the position and he will reapply but it took him by surprise.
Dillon told Guardian Media Sports that the only letter he received from the TTCB about his coaching tenure was one dated September 20, 2019, which stated that he was retained for the new season. However, the TTCB is insisting that a letter was given to the coach in November.
"I am not saying that the letter is not there at the Cricket Board but what I am saying is that I never received this letter that the board is speaking about that was sent to me in November. I am asking myself what sense it would make if the board gives me a letter in September appointing me and then give me another one in November," said Dillon.
Guardian Media Sports has seen the letter addressed to Dillon and dated September 20 and signed by the general secretary of the board Surujdath Mahabir. In it, Mahabir informed him that he was being reappointed for the 2019-2020 season.
That season comes to an end on April 30 and the board has now decided to advertise the post of head coach. The board on Friday stated that Dillon was informed via a letter in November that when his tenure ends they will be advertising the position of the head coach and he is welcome to apply.
Dillon said: "I told Dudnath Ramkeesoon from the TTCB that to get the required improvement and to take the team in the first direction I would need at least a two-year contract. He said that I just got the job and the board wanted to look at me and at the end of the period they will discuss the situation. I believed that the board would have met with me to discuss giving me a two-year contract because the team has been doing well."
Red Force finished second to Barbados in the West Indies Championships which was called off with two rounds of matches to go due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the best finish by the Red Force since 2014 when it came second to Barbados.
Dillon said, "I made a call to Ramkeesoon reminding him of our conversation and he said to me he can't recall. As I said before the board can advertise the position, it's their right and I am going to apply for the post. The team has performed well and I am hoping that this weighs in my favour because I will reapply for the position."