Deerr among 7 players axed by P'more

PREMIER league relegation strugglers Portmore United have fired seven senior players with immediate effect, citing underperformance.

The seven comprise former national players Kevin Deerr and Christopher Nicholas as well as Sheldon Battiste, Cornelius Henry, Gary McIntosh, Omar Campbell and Michael Dixon.

Portmore United's general manager Trevin Nairne yesterday confirmed the player cuts, indicating that the action followed a board meeting of the club last Tuesday.

"The board gave me a directive and we made some cuts," Nairne told the Observer in an exclusive interview. A few of the players were underperforming... not even match-fit and they were being paid for several months and just not performing while the team declined, so we took a decision to get rid of them," the general manager added.

"We just cancelled their contracts because they breached their contracts. It so happens that several of the players are senior players who have won several things (trophies) for Portmore United and so probably complacency had set in, so we thought, tough luck, really," he said.

Nairne also disclosed that an eighth senior player -- Wolry Wolfe -- has been suspended for the remainder of the season due to disciplinary reasons.

Highly-placed Observer sources revealed that the board members read the "riot act" last Tuesday, indicating that they "will not continue to pay non-performing people".

Portmore United, former Caribbean Football Union (CFU) champions, started yesterday's 30th match of the Digicel Premier League season at the bottom of the 12-team standing with 30 points, 27 below league leaders and defending champions Tivoli Gardens on 57. The team has also won four NPL titles (1993, 2003, 2005, 2008).

The Observer also understands that Portmore United's monthly payroll will be reduced by approximately J$600,000, down to J$2,000,000, following the axing of the players.

"It is important for football players in Jamaica to recognise that they have a job to do (and) a lot of money is being spent... there is a lot on investment in (the sport) for them to make a livelihood and their job is just to keep themselves in good condition and perform," Nairne reasoned.

The general manager indicated that the void left by the seven senior players opens the door for the Under-21 players to step up to the plate and perform.

"We've been using several Under-21 players in recent squads and we've seen a couple of victories, so I think it's (changes) paying off little by little."

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