"The clubs are being used as a tool and there are no dollars in return. There is no incentive just a trophy. This is unjust. It is unfair to the players, the clubs, the public and the administration." North East Stars Owner, Darryl Mahabir citing why his club may not defend their FA title. By Veersen Bhoolai - April 2004 North East Stars proved themselves to be the Cinderella team of local football last year. The unfancied team from Sangre Grande shocked W Connection 4-1 on penalties to win the FA title. In addition, they came third in the Pro League, behind San Juan Jabloteh and Connection respectively, ahead of perennial power houses, Joe Public and Defence Force. However, a disgruntled club owner, Darryl Mahabir, cites that for their efforts, they received no prize money or a share of the gate receipts. Although the TTFF is receiving a gate based on the effort of the clubs, they offered no explanation for not sharing the gate. "I think this is unfair to the clubs," said Mahabir. We were promised a prize structure by the Football Federation. However, when we called them, they kept putting it off. They said they were organizing the prize structure. Finally in the end they said they could not source a sponsor. I think this year we might not even defend the FA title. To me when you win the national FA title, this is the pride of the country. It is the most prestigious knock out competition in the country. It is such a source of pride, they should have a prize to go with it. It costs money to run a club. The transportation alone just to the games for the season, is in the thousands of dollars. The clubs are being used as a tool and there are no dollars in return. I said OK, we are the FA Champions, put us in the Caribbean Championships. They said 'No.' There is no incentive, just a trophy. This is unjust. It is unfair to the players, the clubs, the public and the administration. If you're not going to give us some prize money, then let the people come in for free and watch the games." There are three major titles at stake in the Pro League. The League title and the League Cup, which is run by the Pro League. They have garnered sponsorship; sadly the one national competition being run by the TTFF is sponsorless. Just a week ago the NE Stars collected their third place cheque for two hundred and forty two thousand dollars (TT$242 000.00). Chances are, disgruntled feelings aside, NE Stars will be in the FA hunt again this year. The team was formed by Mahabir to showcase the talent of the North East and to prove the to Football Federation that the region had quality players to offer to the national team. The FA title is a source of pride to the owner, the players and the community. It is unlikely that the Stars will forsake the honor of defending such a title. In the three short years that the club has been in existence, they have come a long way without the aid of a major national sponsor. It is not often that you see a rural based team, owned by an East Indian to boot, making a dent in local football. Mahabir says his inspiration for forming the team was to give the players in the North East a fair shot at playing at the highest level. "I always loved football. I went to Queen's Royal College (QRC). When coming home after school, I would look at the fellas playing ball. However, the fellas in our area would not get national calls. I wanted to prove that we have players that can be internationals." Mahabir explained that when players don't get a fair shot at the national team, it "can turn footballers and fans off from football. We had good footballers. Yes! But they weren't serious about football because they had to work and play. But now their job IS football. We have some players that started the season from the bottom up. They just needed a chance to prove themselves." Bouncing back from a beating NE Stars started off in a local community league in 2001. Just a year later, they had the temerity to enter the number one league in the Caribbean. "The first season was a learning experience for us," confesses Mahabir. "The club wanted to play at the highest level. We knew we had the talent. However, the level was higher than we thought it would be. When we started we were getting a beating." However, with the inclusion of Guyanese nationals: Randolph Jerome, Howard Lowe and Kayode McKinnon, the club improved greately. At the end of the year they added Guyanese, Charles Pollard and Vincentian, Kendoll Velox, both internationals. NE Stars later won the award for the most improved team of the season. A great coup for the Stars in 2003, was the acquisition of TT international Jerren Nixon, a veteran of the Scottish and Swiss leagues; along with Kevin Jefferies (on loan) from the Richmond Kickers. How in the world did they manage to scoop such a hot talent as Nixon? "Well, Nixon's wife is from Sangre Grande," says Mahabir. "Her family is involved with the club. They said if you're going to play for a club in TT, this is it. He decided OK, once we could meet him half way with his demands." Mahabir declined to disclose Nixon's salary. A further indication of the Stars' improvement in 2003 were the Pro League awards to Charles Pollard, Most Valuable Player and to Radolph Jerome, top scorer. Goodbye Randolph, hello Ochin! Randolph Jerome has opted to join Starworld Strikers this season. Mahabir admits "Jerome will be missed." He says efforts were made to keep Jerome at the club. However, his demands for a one hundred percent raise in salary and air tickets to Guyana could not be met. "With no major financial sponsor, there was little chance to meet his demands." With the departure of Jerome, the club has brought in former Joe Public player, Ochin Abosi. The fact that Abosi is also from Sangre Grande can only further boost the community support that the owner craves. Mahabir admits the club suffered defensive lapses last year, they have thus signed defender, Howard Lowe of AIA Caledonia. "With our two new inclusions, we'll start the club with this group. According to how they look, we may make some more inclusions. The Stars also seemed to be short of a quality back up for custodian Trevor Nottingham. Anthony Crichlow from Maloney has been added. Crichlow was discovered after winning a national competition for Goal Keepers, organized by former TT 'Keeper, Ross Russel. Mahabir added that Crichlow has won a number of goal keeping awards. Developing talent in the Community At the moment the Stars along with their Guyanese coach, James McLean are implementing a plan to develop talent in the community. Mahabir says there are 48 Primary schools and 13 secondary schools in the North East. They plan to have a one day session with each school, and weekly sessions in each community. Once they have identified the players that they want. Then these players can travel and join them as they train from community to community. Mahabir laments that this is a costly venture, providing meals and refreshments for each session. In addition they will to giving drinks at the schools, they will also be giving away balls. He explains this as an important incentive because the youths of today "have lost the zeal for football partly because the national team is not doing well at the moment." Mahabir added that "We will have the most talented players in the region join our program. The idea is to have an entire team from the North East." Show me the money! The Stars biggest adversary this year may not be rivals, Jabloteh, or W Connection, but rather, finances. Mahabir explains that have been unable to secure a major sponsor. National Quarries were approached but were unable to assist. They have also approached their local MP, Sports Minister, Roger Boynes. In an era where Government is giving unprecedented assistance to sports, this may be their saving grace. However, they are still waiting for an answer from Boynes. With monthly expenses of approximately seventy five thousand dollars (TT), the Stars are looking for a sponsor to help foot the bills. For the moment they have received the bulk of their assistance from Economy Supermarket of Sangre Grande. In addition different members of the community chip in where they can. The Stars are hoping to merchandise themselves better this year. In addition to jersey which can be bought off the net (www.ttproleague.com), they also intend to merchandise caps, towels, bandannas etc. Towards the end of last season, they managed to attract a paying crowd of around fifteen hundred spectators at their home ground (The Sangre Grande Recreation Ground). At ten dollars a head, that's not too bad for basic newcomers. Mahabir is especially proud that eight members of his FA winning squad are "right from Sangre Grande." Beaming with pride With the backing of the community, last year's David of local football will once again go in search of Goliath. Let's hope they can get paid a bit more for their efforts this time. |
An FA Cup with out |
North East Stars? |
