Conquerors still strong despite exodus of players says Club Secretary
– “I’m certain the club is going to rebound”
By Akeem Greene
The recent transfer window saw some sweeping changes in the dynamics of teams in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, with many players taking leaps to other clubs. Frutra Conquerors is one club, which faced the brunt of the transfer window, losing several quality players.
However Club Secretary Daniel Thomas believes the club’s proud tradition of performing well is bound to continue, since it has been
around for quite some time now.
He said, “come next year Conquerors will be 35 years as club, the important thing to know about that is the longevity of the club and that is substantial in itself, we are proud of what we have been able to maintain as a formation of a complete club, it is where you can come anytime and find various levels of football being played”.
Thomas added, “In the transfer window that just closed, the club lost at least eleven quality players to various clubs; yes it will have some sort of effect because those players were quality players but I’m certain the club is going to rebound”.
The club lost the likes of Adrian Adonis, Raphael Edwards, Jahaal Greaves to Alpha United; Jumal Bristol, Jomal Codrington, Dennis Edwards and Hubert Pedro to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC); Okanie Fraser and Travis Martin to Pele Football Club; Tefon Daly to Northern Rangers; Orvile Stewart to Riddim Squad and Shaveez Hendricks to Snatchers Football Club.
On the other hand they acquired seven players, namely: Wayne Baker (GFC), Jomal Gibbs (GFC), Simeon Hackett (Alpha United), Simeon Moore (GFC) Isaiah Reddy (GFC), Leon Richardson (Pele FC) and Jermaine Scott (Alpha United).
In addition to the new signings Thomas is confident that the younger players at the club such will fill the gap and produce worthy performances.
“I’m certain the second tier players we have, even though they maybe young and inexperienced, they can adapt with time and I think in a relatively short time and will give a good account of themselves; it will be up to the coaching staff to make sure that those players are ready when the league resume in September”, Thomas expressed with optimism.
In the league Finale, the Tucville based club finished second on the point standings playing fourteen matches, winning eleven, having just two losses and one draw. Compared to the first half of the season where they finished in fourth position with just five wins, four losses and five draws.
The turnaround in fortunes was due to some stellar performances by many of those who departed, and that the fact that the team showed great camaraderie on the field.
The younger generation of players such as Jaeal Hamilton, Jeremy Garrett, Keith Fletcher along with some talented under-17 players are expected to keep the winning ways of the community based club intact come the start of the new season in September. ([email protected])