Waterhouse cut ties with Johnson

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Struggling Water-house Football Club have parted ways with head coach Baris Johnson, following a dismal run of form which has seen the team win just one of their last eight games and lose their last four in the Digicel Premier League (DPL).

Ironically, Johnson's termination comes on the heels of being appointed for a brief second stint at the club.

After deciding to re-sign in November of last year, the coach had only returned to the team after a meeting was called in attempt to clear up issues between club and coach.

Then, Johnson had led the club to the top of the DPL and end-of-round final after 10 matches, but things did not go quite the same way in the coach's second stint.

"The real truth of the matter is that since the first round the performance of the team has gone in one direction; and that has been downwards," Bruce Bicknell, chairman of Waterhouse FC, told The Gleaner yesterday.

"We have tried all types of different things and made a lot of adjustments to keep him here, but things haven't worked out," he added.

Johnson, who took over from the much-travelled Geoffrey Maxwell, secured only three wins and seven draws after returning for a second stint in charge of the club, which has left the Drewsland team currently sixth on 44 points, well behind leaders Tivoli Gardens, who are on 60, with six games left to go.

"We would just like to apologise to the fans and sponsors for a dismal season, but we are already busy putting things in place for a better one next year; there are already several plans to be unveiled in the summer," Bicknell said.

Changing personnel

Having already secured a place in the league's elite six, which prevents them from being involved in the relegation battle, according to Bicknell, there is little or no risk involved in changing personnel at this time and, in fact, presents the perfect opportunity to begin the rebuilding process.

"We have basically had to write this season off, so from now until the end of it we are playing for pride and to get the players back on board, to get the community back on board," Bicknell said.

When contacted by The Gleaner via telephone, Johnson opted to defer commenting on the issue.