York United preparing to shine through this time

With Portland's St Georges Sports Club steadily establishing themselves as a serious Digicel Premier League outfit and St Ann's Benfica joining the country's heavyweights this season, a rabid rat race is expected in the Eastern Confederation as teams jostle for the top spot and a chance for top-flight qualification.

Former champions and ever-present semi-finalists, York United from St Thomas and Star Cosmos from St Mary, are the teams to beat and are both drafting their battle-plans ahead of the upcoming season.

York United lost last year's Eastern Confederation Super League finals to Benfica by a single goal and were also close to securing Digicel Premier League qualification in 2008.

Already boasting one of the best facilities in the region - York Oval - the club has focused its attention on pooling all the best talent from the parish into one super unit and is feverishly in search of some financial muscle, as they get set to embark on yet another campaign.

Club executive Michael Pennant is all too familiar with the feeling of coming close but not close enough, and is hoping for a different fate this time around.

"It's very disappointing to go so close and not qualify but we just have to understand that sometimes it's just not your time, so we have to keep trying and motivating the players," said Pennant.

"It would be a great joy if we could do it this year. When I listen to the players, they are very motivated and the vibe is right; everyone is looking to go all out for qualification this year," he added.

Serious moves

The administration, which is spurred on by noted local banker, Desmond Gaynor, managed to retain the majority of last year's team and also made some serious moves in the market.

However, like most other clubs in the region, financial support remains an elusive necessity. They have, however, invited the business interests in the parish to a special meeting, where they intend to share the vision of the club, with a view to getting their support.

A well-respected cradle for talent, York United have shared a healthy relationship with most premier league clubs and have traded many players with some of the country's best outfits. The recent arrival of Kenroy Roberts (Waterhouse), Kenneth Lee (St Georges), Jermaine Scott (Bath) and the return of Lennox Cargill (St Georges) and Kemar Smith (August Town) underline the club's intentions and firepower.

- A.L.