The West needs help

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

While Village United, Montego Bay United and Reno FC continue to face scathing criticism from western fans for their inauspicious start to the 2011-12 Red Stripe National Premier League (NPL), at least one prominent coach from the regions thinks lack of corporate support is to be blamed.

Wendell Downswell, who guided Reno FC to three NPL titles in the 1990s, believes that if the western clubs could attract the kind of corporate support being generated by their urban counterparts, the region would quickly re-establish itself as a major power in national football.

"With good corporate support, we could see a complete turnaround in the fortunes of western Jamaica's football within three years," said Downswell, who was head coach of the Under-17 team which contested the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

"The region is not short on good young talent; we just need the support to properly nurture the youngsters."

In reminiscing on the era when the west was the dominant region in national football, Downswell said it was as a result of the corporate support that former administrators Frank 'Bim' Williams, Wesmore Thomas and Samuel 'Sonny' Vassell were able to attract why the region was so strong.

In the region's era of dominance, Reno FC, Seba United, Wadadah FC and Violet Kickers all became NPL champions within a 10-year span. In that era, Rusea's, Cornwall College and Herbert Morrison were among the dominant teams in schoolboy football.

Economic climate

However, unlike in the past when big business supported the region's football, Downswell said the current economic climate would militate against that and, as a consequence, he believes partnership would now be the preferred route.

"In today's economy, it would be very hard to find to find a company that is willing to dump money into a club without getting some returns," said Downswell. "Instead of sponsorship, I believe it would be better if the clubs go after partnership arrangements."

Downswell believes an alliance between the business community and football clubs could be become viable, especially if the government could be persuaded to play a role in the process

"Government could look at offering incentives to the companies that enter into joint ventures with clubs," stated Downswell. "If the companies are rewarded with special tax concession, among other benefits, I am sure they would be motivated to help the clubs."

Helping students

In looking back at the era when western Jamaica's football flourished, Downswell said clubs like Reno assisted student/players as a way of helping them to balance education and football.

"When I was a youngster at Reno, 'Bim' (Frank Williams) assisted us with school fees, uniform, books and even pocket money," said Downswell. "We did not face the kind of frustration that today's players are facing and, as a result, we could concentrate on becoming good players."

Despite the prevailing conditions in the west, Downswell said the region has a solid talent pool with the capacity to come good, with help.

"Since the start of the 2011 schoolboy football season, I have seen some 10 to 12 youngsters who I intend to draft into the national Under-21 programme," said Downswell. "As I have said, with help we have the potential here to produce players like Hector Wright, Donald Hewitt, and Mark 'Haglar' Wilson, who did well in the past."