CENTRAL FC managing director, Brent Sancho yesterday announced that “The Sharks” have invited English League One club Walsall FC to tour Trinidad and Tobago as part of their pre-season preparation.
“We are delighted to be hosting Walsall, who ended their season with only one loss in their last 19 games,” said Sancho. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to bring an English club to the Central region and give our youngsters the opportunity to test themselves.”
Central FC will play Walsall on July 9 at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, after the English club spends four days in the sister isle Tobago to play two games, including one against a Pro League XI.
“The visit of Walsall has been magnificently supported by TT Pro League CEO, Dexter Skeene,” said Sancho. “As soon as we mentioned the possibility of a visit by a British club, Dexter was really supportive.
“I believe he joins us in seeing this as a great opportunity to test the current level of Pro League football and to give some of our youngsters a chance to put themselves in the market place overseas.”
“The Sharks” are yet to release a complete itinerary as they are still negotiating with sponsors. However, Sancho did confirm that Central FC have been liaising with TTFA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association) technical director Anton Corneal for Walsall’s coach, Dean Smith and his staff to host a coaches seminar, as well as a coaching clinic for youths.
“It’s important that we gain as much as possible from the visit of Walsall,” said Sancho. “We hope that players and coaches will benefit from an exchange of ideas with the Walsall staff in all areas including physiotherapy, nutrition and pre-match preparation.”
Sancho said that the Central FC staff will have full access to the Walsall camp. “Dean Smith is a good friend of our operations director Kevin Harrison,” said the ex-Trinidad and Tobago defender. “As such, Dean has agreed to allow our staff to attend all training sessions and we will be loaning five of our young players to Walsall for the whole week.
“This type of experience is unimaginable for our young players and we are certain that it will only increase their level of professionalism as well as their desire to play overseas.”
Walsall will be bringing a party of 28, including 20 players.
“Walsall were unfortunate to miss out on the play offs last season, but I’m convinced they will be in or around the promotion spots at the end of this season,” said Sancho. “Dean Smith is an up-and-coming manager who was awarded League One Manager of the Month in January. I know Terry Fenwick is licking his lips in anticipation of taking an English League One scalp, so it will be a great contest!”
Sancho said that “the Sharks” are still looking for sponsors for some aspects of the tour. “We’ve covered most of the costs of bringing over Walsall, but we now want to make sure their visit is unforgettable. We intend to invite teams from Europe every year to play for a Central FC trophy.
“The name of the trophy will be chosen by the sponsor,” continued Sancho. “We feel this can only raise the awareness overseas of the TT Pro League and give a boost to our sports tourism industry.”
Final details of the Walsall itinerary will be released later this month.