Claremont still revelling in success

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

For the sleepy farming community of Claremont, nestled in the hills of Hanover, winning the Claro/INSPORTS All-Island Community Football Championship in its maiden staging last season has not only lifted the district to national prominence, but has also served as a binding agent for everyone in the area.

The team, largely made up by a bunch of tradesmen and farmers, lifted the trophy last season after bettering Kingston-based Caribbean Strikers 1-0 in the final at the National Stadium, triggering wild celebrations that followed the travelling fans all the way back to their community in a wave of new belief and enthusiasm.

It is a feeling that team manager Kenneth Williams is eager to experience again this time around and is taking nothing for granted as his team begins to lay the blocks for another successful season.

Extremely confident

"We are extremely confident that we have everything that it will take to go all the way again," said Williams.

After dismissing Elgin Town 3-0 in their opening match this season, Williams underlined that his team is taking nothing for granted and that there is no place for complacency.

Claremont is no stranger to competitive football as the community once fielded a team in the Hanover Division-One competition. However, that programme had to be scrapped a few years ago because of a lack of funds but as Williams turned back the hands of time, reminiscing on the impact their triumph had on the community, he was also thankful for the work done by sponsors Claro and INSPORTS.

Community transformation

"The fact that we won transformed the community into an entirely different atmosphere. Everyone came together and supported the team. The whole football programme is seen as a positive thing by everyone. Even at training, we have people coming out to watch the team. There is nothing but positive vibes and excitement," Williams said. "I would like to thank Claro and INSPORTS, I also think that they are benefiting a lot from it as well because every little nook and cranny that you go into now, all you hear people talking about is how glad they are that Claro and INSPORTS are shining the light on them like this."

Interestingly, the Claremont team is a rather dynamic one, with its youngest player being 16-year-old striker Ackeem Williams, and the eldest being 40-year-old defender Vaughn Green.

If you are wondering what they did with their $500,000 prize money last season, it was used to resurface their Claremont playing field home ground and purchase new training and match gear.