“Hardworking” Camptown FC march into Elite League

What has been described as over a year of hard work has finally paid off for Georgetown Football Association (GFA) side Camptown Football Club, who sealed their spot in the upcoming 2026/27 season of the Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League.
Touted as a fierce battle given the dominance of both teams in the Elite League Qualification playoff tournament, Camptown came out on top of East Bank Football Association’s Timehri United FC by a 2-0 margin at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Camptown took an early lead in the contest as Shane Jones found the back of the net in the 10th minute.

While Timehri worked hard to pull one back, their attacking options did not look as clinical as previous games, squandering many opportunities.
Eventually, Ozeal Small sealed Camptown’s fate, winning a 1v1 battle to send a stunning shot into the right corner of the net for their second goal in the 73rd minute.
In the midst of his team’s celebrations, Head Coach Calvin Allen shared his thoughts on the final battle.
Allen told this publication, “I think, basically, it was a tough game. Timehri played really, really well, it’s a team almost playing at the Elite level in terms of the way they try to possess the ball, but we had our plans and we stick to our plans. It was always a game that we know is going to be close and a game that we had to work hard for. Most importantly, we had to stay very disciplined in our defensive structure and make sure that we didn’t give them the chance or easy opportunities because the team definitely is well-structured, they play composed football and they’re physically fit.
“So, I know it was going to be a tough game, but a bit of experience in our team and the fact that our guys never give up pulled us through this night,” the renowned and highly-successful Coach added.

Meanwhile, their star striker Ozeal Small, who accumulated three goals across two games, detailed the hard work that went into Camptown’s success.
“First things first, I just want say thanks to the Almighty, for bringing us far and completing our mission,” Small expressed, “It was a long road and we’ve been working very hard, according to your work, you get the reward. Thanks again to the Almighty.”
The player continued, “Camptown team is a team, as I said before, always in the top four in this country. Circumstances make us fall apart and we regroup and rebuild with a group of young players with about four experienced players in the pack. We been putting in a lot of hard work, on the pitch, off the pitch, preparing for this. So, I must say thanks to the Almighty, the coaching staff, the fans and my teammates for bringing us so far.”
Small went on to express confidence about heading into Guyana’s premier Football League.
“Well, going in to the Elite League, we know it’s a long road, we have a lot of hard work to do; we got some players on this June transfer window that come with us, but unfortunate they couldn’t get to play and we complete the mission for them to get to come in to the team and join the love bunch and just start the hard work again,” Small admitted.
“They ain’t got no giving up, it’s just keep rising all the time. We know they got some big ones up top, but, on the day, they ain’t got big ones, football got to play.”
Addressing his personal performance and journey, Small expressed pride in being able to find success with his boyhood club.
“This team, Camptown, this is my home team. I left and went and play with two other outside teams and like old people say, ‘there’s nowhere better than home’, you always got to find yourself home back. And I feel proud of myself for fetching this team on my back and bringing them upstairs to the Elite League. I been putting in a lot of hard work since 2018,” the player shared.
Timehri United FC will have another shot to make it into the League as they challenge 2025 ninth-place finishers, Fruta Conquerors for their spot in the League.