CALVERT Fitzgerald, the coach who set Waterhouse FC on the path to winning their second National Premier League Football Championship in 2006 but was called away in mid-stream, is back at his old stomping ground with plans to see it through to the end on this occasion.

“Winning the 2015/2016 Red Stripe National Premier League Championship is paramount in the club’s history going forward, as I think I have a very good squad to challenge for the title,” Fitzgerald told the Jamaica Observer recently.

While there are no ‘big’ names joining the former champions for the start to the season, the much-travelled coach says it takes more than just personalities to win titles.

“Names do not win championships, this is as far as I am concerned. Two things do — dedication and application. With these two elements in constant application, everything is possible with the right type of support, both on and off the field,” he said.

“Looking at the base of the team, Waterhouse already have a good squad of players and all that I needed to do was to bring in seven players as a safeguard for players who will be absent for the first part of the season, and who, when they return, will have to be in acceptable playing shape before they will be considered for selection,” Fitzgerald added.

Of the seven players acquired there are two goalkeepers, three defenders and two midfielders.

“Waterhouse do have a cadre of three good goalkeepers, including Richard McCallum and schoolboys George Brown, who performed so capably between the uprights in the absence of McCallum on occasions, and Anthony Mullings. Both will not, however, be available for the early part of the season as they have returned to their individual schools. In their places, we have sought to acquire the services of Shannon Bartley from Rivoli United and Derron Duncan from Tivoli Gardens FC as additional support for McCallum.

“In midfield, schoolboy Stefan Logan, who did such a fine job in that position, has migrated, while defensive midfield standout Evan Taylor is still overseas, and their places must be filled with replacements,” said the coach.

Waterhouse have, therefore, signed on both Sean Coleman and Kemar Beckford from Rivoli United, with Kemar Seiveright (York United) and Jermaine Henry (Rivoli United) joining as the two stoppers. With the uncertainty of Andre Messam, who marshalled the left back position with aplomb, returning, Fitzgerald has brought in Rivoli United’s solid left-side defender Keith Wright as cover.

“With this group of players along with my support staff, with Kevin Lamey as my assistant, Conrad Byfield as team manager, Michael Brady as physical trainer, and Glenford Anderson as equipment manager, we are on a solid footing to construct a successful season going forward,” noted Fitzgerald.

— Hurbun Williams