TIVOLI Gardens FC, the former five-time Red Stripe National Premier League champions, who had a very unspectacular, even miserable campaign in the 2014/2015 season, have put a “useful” slate of players together and are hoping to put their disastrous season by hitting the road running.

Team Manager Brian Rose gives an idea as to how Tivoli Gardens FC plan to shake the ghost of last season.

“Last season was a bit disappointing, to say the least, as we finished in sixth position. We started the pre-season on a sad note as we lost our Coach Alvin Shaw. We are, therefore, hoping to redouble our efforts under our new coach, Christopher Bender.

“Added to this, we have brought in some new players in Shane Watson from Rivoli United, Narado Brown from Humble Lion, and Theo Brown from Newland FC. We are now hoping that with this thrust of players we can motivate the club for a much better challenge for the upcoming season,” he said.

The West Kingston-based outfit has also acquired the services of Otis Friend from Sporting Central Academy and two players from York United in Robert Stevens and Miguel Ricketts. “Last, but not least, we also have the services of our former Jamaica international Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson, who is back at the club, and his leadership and assistance at training will be invaluable.

“With Teddy around, this helps to motivate the squad. We are expecting him to assist the players by passing on some of his knowledge gained from his experience gained while plying his trade in England and recently in the United States,” said Rose.

The experienced club manager said the goalkeeping and offensive departments have been boosted for the new season.

“Well, we have lost our deputy goalkeeper Deron Duncan to Waterhouse, but we have promoted our Manning Cup goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke. He is a quick learner and has been adapting quite well to the rigours of senior play,” said Rose.

“We have brought in two players from York United, and we saw them in action at the Premier League play-offs and they looked quite good. There is also Nicholas Scott; and although he was poor in the RSPL last season, since then he has shown the quality of improvement at training,” he added.

Rose lamented losing influential midfielder Keammar Daley to Harbour View, but said “the redoubling of our efforts could compensate”.

— Hurbun Williams