Andrew Price, the general manager of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), said “a very good season” of Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) football is anticipated for the 2015-16 campaign.

Citing the move to introduce Saturday football to complement action on Sunday and the flagship Monday Night programme, Price said plenty of excitement could be on the cards in the 12-team competition.

“The clubs are raring to go and I expect a very good season,” he told the Jamaica Observer at Monday’s launch of the competition at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

“We are looking at having games on Saturday and Sunday nights also, so we are really trying to spread the football over the weekend so people can pick and choose games they want to attend. We should look forward to a very exciting season. If we can just jog our memory back to the final in May where we had that crescendo of a final at the National Stadium. We almost had a 20,000-filled stadium watching,” Price said.

The new season is scheduled to start on September 6.

Last season Arnett Gardens FC dethroned Montego Bay United after a 2-0 result in the final in front of approximately 18,000 inside the stadium.

Arnett’s head coach Jerome Waite expects a tough ride if they are to return to that platform.

“It will be pretty much competitive this season. Once you are the champions you have 11 teams that will be gunning for your head. This is something we have to take into consideration and work assiduously to ensure that we continue to prove ourselves as champions,” said Waite.

Price, who also heads the coaching staff at Boys’ Town FC, urged sponsors to invest in the competition and to help clubs and its players.

Aside from title sponsor Red Stripe, the league is supported by first-timer Carib Cement Company, Jamaica Urban Transit Company, Jamaica Beverages through its Busta soft drink brand, Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Observer, and KLAS ESPN Radio.

The PLCA general manager said a season’s expense bill could range between $15m and $30m, depending on the club.

Arnett Gardens were awarded $2.5m for winning the RSPL title last season. The South St Andrew-based club pulled in an additional $1m for being the top side throughout the preliminary phase of the competition.

Price explained that, at least for now, making a profit is not the reality for local clubs.

“It’s the development of players and the football structure that make clubs continue to participate in the Red Stripe Premier League because we believe it’s the catalyst for the national programme. It’s challenging, but we have to continue the work,” he said.

— Sanjay Myers