Caribbean Sports Network

SAN JUAN Jabloteh have been forced to allow utility player Noel Williams to return to his former club Police on a free transfer. The 26-year-old Williams, who is also a Special Reserve Police Officer (SRP), was in his second year at Jabloteh and also had a spell with Tobago United.

“It’s good for both parties and eases things a bit,” said Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick in a recent interview on the Pro League’s website. “It means that the club has a salary less to pay and it means that Williams will be somewhere where his salary is certain.”

The past few weeks have been disappointing for the three-time TT Pro League champions failing to make the Group stage of the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions’ League after suffering a 6-0 aggregate loss to Mexican side Club Santos Laguna.

The club followed with further disappointment on August 13 suffering a 1-0 defeat against DIRECTV North East Stars in the final of the Lucozade Sport Goal Shield at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.

Fenwick explained that he has been making every effort with the players but admits, “it’s no secret that the players are not in the frame of mind with the current financial struggles faced by the club.

“It’s been very difficult,” he said. “Sometimes salaries are not coming on time and this will in no doubt affect the players mentally. It’s their livelihood and not being certain of a salary on time will negatively affect them.”

Jabloteh’s problems began in early 2009 with the demise of main sponsor CLICO, whose financial collapse saw the Trinidad and Tobago Government take control of the insurance company.

Since then Jabloteh failed to maintain contracts with a number of players. In 2009 Lester Peltier, Elton John, Devon Jamerson were among the names that departed the club.

Fenwick believes that Jabloteh should return to its youth policy in which the club’s professional team has benefitted from in previous years.

“When we look at the other teams in the League with the exception of W Connection, our youth systems have been brilliant,” said Fenwick. “When we played Ma Pau they had around seven players that have been with us. Even Joe Public is equipped with produce from our youth ranks.

“Those players were developed through Jabloteh ranks and we have to do it again.”