Reynolds takes over reins at Sporting Central

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Vassell Reynolds has been appointed head coach of Sporting Central Academy ahead of this season's start of the Premier League.

Reynolds, who for the last two seasons as an assistant coach helped Sporting Central avoid relegation, will replace former national Under-20 coach Donovan Duckie, who midway last season parted company with the Clarendon-based club.

"Yes, it's official, Reynolds is our new head coach and he along with assistant coach Nigel Stewart will guide the team this season," Brandon Murray, president of Sporting Central, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Stave off relegation

"He (Reynolds) was brought in last season and the season before to help us stave off relegation and he did a very good job.

"So after carefully reviewing our options, we the management staff took the decision to appoint him and we are confident that he, along with Stewart, will do a very good job," he added.

Reynolds, who guided Garvey Maceo and Edwin Allen in the rural area daCosta Cup previously, and Wolmer's to the semi-final of the urban area Manning and Walker Cup in 2006, steered Sporting Central to eighth in the 12-team league last season.

"Last season was a close one as it was not until the final match, when we needed a draw away to St Georges, that we were able to secure our spot in the league," said Reynolds, who is a native of the parish and in 2005 led Los Perfectos to the Premier League play offs.

"This season, however, we are hoping for bigger and better things as it is an open secret that Sporting has a talented batch of youngsters, who play an attacking, attractive brand of football and it is just for us to get it right," he explained.

The Premier League, which is in the process of signing a title sponsor, is slated to get under way on Sunday.