WE join the football fraternity in hailing Harbour View FC, champions of the Red Stripe Premier League for 2012/2013.

We are told that this is the fourth premier league title for a club which dates back several decades and was formally incorporated in 1974.

The truth though is that the success of Harbour View Football Club cannot be measured only in terms of trophies won.

For in many respects, Harbour View is the true originator of professional football in Jamaica. Certainly, to our knowledge, it was the first to attempt a genuinely professional structure, complete with the building of a community stadium in 1994, three years before Jamaica’s first ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup.

In terms of infrastructural development, it was Harbour View which showed the way for other clubs such as Arnett Gardens FC, Waterhouse FC and Tivoli FC. And immediately after the 1998 World Cup, Harbour View again showed the way with the record transfer of Mr Ricardo Gardner to Bolton Wanderers for £1 million.

Mr Gardner, the consummate professional, was to become for many years the exemplar for professional Jamaican footballers.

Today, scores of Jamaican footballers ply their trade around the globe, earning valuable foreign exchange, having walked the course set by Harbour View 15 years ago. Indeed, the club continues to be a leading exporter of Jamaican talent and a feeder for national programmes of all ages and both genders.

It’s fair to say that should the Reggae Boyz overcome the tough hurdles ahead and gain that coveted spot at the World Cup finals in Brazil next year, much will be owed to players honed at Harbour View.

Down the years, the club has stayed true to an attractive, entertaining brand of football with a strong emphasis on teamwork and ball possession. This season has been no different under coach, Mr Vin Blaine, who for years worked very successfully with women at club and national levels.

Mr Blaine and other members of the Harbour View coaching, fitness, managerial and backroom staff apart, we think it appropriate to identify a few players who have obviously had great influence.

Midfield Maestro, Mr Jermaine Hue, who now in his mid-30s remains as dominant as he was a decade ago, takes pride of place. But we believe others such as central defenders Messrs Montrose Phynn and Christopher Harvey, as well as award-winning goalkeeper Mr Michaud Barrett who helped to make the club the most successful defensive unit in the just-completed season, as well as leading scorer Mr Jermie Lynch deserve special mention.

We would be remiss were we not to also applaud the efforts of other outstanding players in the Red Stripe Premier League, led by Mr Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson of Waterhouse.

Finally, a word of commendation is due to sponsors Red Stripe, who have stayed true to football in these hard times.

Let’s all commend Harbour View and all those involved in the development of Jamaican football.