Tuesday, September 17, 2024

22 THE STAR SPORTS • Tuesday, September 17, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com LIVINGSTON SCOTT STAR Writer D avion Ferguson, who controversially left the position of head at Portmore United FC after three months to resume his role as Theodore Whitmore’s second-in-command at Mount Pleasant Academy last week, said even though he enjoyed being the coach of the St Catherine club, he prefers being part of the technical team he and Whitmore have developed over the last few years. Ferguson watched from the Mount Pleasant bench as his team inflicted a 2-0 win over Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park on Sunday to kick- start the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, and he said he never had any trouble with Portmore during his short stint there. “Portmore is a club I like. I came here and did two excellent months and never had any issues. And I think I added value to Portmore while I was here in terms of structure, players, the team and the entire outlay. “But myself and Whitmore, we would have developed a team with Dwayne Peters, Lamar Morgan (strength and conditioning trainers),” he noted “Steve McClaren came here (Jamaica) after being at Manchester United as an assistant. So these things happen. We are a team. People will speak. But the details of my deal is not yet fulsome, but when the overall picture is presented to the public they will understand,” Ferguson explained. Both Whitmore and Ferguson were out of contract upon its expiration at the end of last season. They had guided the club to the JPL finals, but lost out to Cavalier Soccer Club in a penalty shootout in the finals. In the period that followed, Harold Thomas was brought in to lead the coaching function at Mount Pleasant. But Thomas’ brief employment was dramatically terminated after losing his first match in charge. Whitmore, who had since taken on coaching responsibilities at Cornwall College for the daCosta Cup, was immediately announced as the new coach. Ferguson, who had also moved on to join Portmore United, later renewed his status at Mount Pleasant after the clubs agreed on terms. Ferguson pointed out that when their (himself and Whitmore) contracts at Mount Pleasant ran out a few months ago, the team had numerous opportunities but chose to hold off, and are now reunited again with the Mount Pleasant project they started three seasons ago. “When I left Mount Pleasant I had opportunities to move to other clubs in the JPL. We (technical team) also had opportunities to move overseas, in the Caribbean. “But what was instructive was that they wanted the team we would have developed. Everyone has their roles and functions within this team, and we understand how we work and how we operate,” Ferguson outlined. “So it was easy from that standpoint, going back to the Mount Pleasant project,” he stated. It was initially reported that Portmore wanted $15 million from Mount Pleasant as part of the deal to release Ferguson to his former club. Later, a club source revealed that they were demanding $26 million. Although Ferguson would not disclose the sum, which STAR Sports understand is over $3 million, he insisted the St Ann club paid far less for what he is valued. “Not enough for my value. I think I value more,” he stated. “That’s private information, but the numbers being bandied around are not true.” After Ferguson watched his team defeat Portmore United, he said their objective for the season is just to win. “We are in the business to win football matches. That is the simple requirement at this level. You have to win football matches. We won the two games we played since we have been back, and we just need to continue to win football matches, and that will take us where we want to go,” he commented. livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com A fter two very difficult seasons in which he suffered a massive loss of form and confidence, Arnett Gardens striker Warner Brown is looking to get back his best form after netting a brace in his team’s 3-0 win over Dunbeholden FC in their season- opening Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football game at the Anthony Spaulding Complex on Sunday. Brown scored the first goal after eight minutes, latching on to a pass from Shai Smith and firing low across Damion Hyatt in goal. A minute later, the former St Andrew Technical High School forward bundled defender Gavin Burton off the ball, drove towards goal and tucked the ball into the opposite corner past Hyatt for a 2-0 lead. Kimani Arbouine then sealed the win in the 54th minute with a fantastic solo strike late. Following his exploits, the two-goal hero said he was feeling like his old self again. “Definitely. I was looking to start the season confidently. And to get two goals in my first match is positive. I was struggling a lot last season, but it is good to rise again and do what you know you can do,” he said. Although he is hoping to continue this form throughout the season, Brown insists that the team comes first and the most important thing is to help the team to win games. “It’s always a good feeling to score. But we got the win. We got three goals in total and a clean sheet and three points,” he continued. After a brilliant start, he insists that he can’t help but feel positive for the rest of the season. “We (Arnett) went overseas and won the conference league (Concacaf Caribbean Shield), and now we’ve come into the Jamaica Premier League on a positive and got three points from the first game and I got two goals and that’s a real positive,” he added. Arnett coach Xavier Gilbert was also pleased to see the striker showing his goal-scoring qualities. “He got some good opportunities last season, got himself in good goal-scoring positions and failed to convert,” Gilbert said. “He is doing a little bit better now. He has been very positive in the last few weeks and we hope it’s a turnaround. But I am so happy for him tonight (Sunday). He managed to get two, and probably could have had a hat-trick as well,” he commented. Dunbeholden coach Phillip Williams also acknowledged the forward’s impact. “He really pressed us at the back and took the chances he got. But this is early. We had a bad game today (Sunday), and we lost,” Williams said. “There are a lot of games coming up and we know we will get it right. The unit is a good unit and we believe in the talent that we have and we know we will get it right,” he added. livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com Arnett’s Warner Brown inspired by double against Dunbeholden Davion Ferguson (right), assistant coach at Mount Pleasant Academy, with club owner Peter Gould. R icaRdo M akyn File photo shows Arnett Gardens’ Warner Brown falling after a tackle from Cavalier Soccer Club defender Gadail Irving during a Jamaica Premier League football match at Sabina Park on Sunday, January 7, 2023. Brown scored a double on Sunday in Arnett’s 3-0 win over Dunbeholden. R icaRdo M akyn Ferguson comfortable working with Whitmore, other coaches in Mount Pleasant set-up