Despite Vere Phoenix United’s relegation from the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Head Coach Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde says he’s optimistic that the “inexperienced” team will return to the league in short order after learning from mistakes.

With three games to go, the Clarendon-based club became the first club this season to suffer the dreaded drop after a 1-2 defeat to visitors Tivoli Gardens at the Wembley Centre of Excellence on Sunday.

Vere, who finished ninth last season, were buoyant coming into the campaign after Phoenix Academy founder Craig Butler took ownership of the club last July.

However, they were unable to make the impact they would have hoped for, losing 23 of their 36 games so far, which is likely to see them finish at the foot of the 14-team table. Vere, who have registered just one win in their last 20 games, also have the worst offensive and defensive records in the league, conceding 70 goals while scoring 30.

Hyde, who was brought in by Butler last summer, has won JPL titles with Hazard United (now Portmore United) in 2002/03, Harbour View in 2006/07 and Tivoli Gardens in 2008/09 but this season marks the first time experiencing relegation as a head coach.

He told the Jamaica Observer that the youthful Vere squad couldn’t adapt to the conditions of the league.

“We have an inexperienced team, we have some youths out of Manning Cup and brought them into the league. The owner, Mr Butler, thought it fit to take control of the team with his vision to try and get the players to play in the highest league in Jamaica so he can get them in abroad. He’s an agent, an owner and a coach, so that’s the route he took, bought out the team, carried his players from Mona [High] and from overseas and we tried a thing but it just didn’t work,” said Hyde. “The Premier League is no joke, we have to get fitter because I don’t think we were 100 per cent physically ready.”

Hyde admits that the team competed well throughout the season but lacked key characteristics needed to avoid relegation.

“Most of the games we played, we looked good. We played good football, took the lead a couple times and then we faded away. The pace of the league is what got to us because we’re not used to it. The early part of the game we looked good and played good but the consistency and experience, we need to learn. Also, the toughness of the opponents we didn’t handle and that’s the learning process that we can take out of the season.”

While disappointed with the move down to the Jamaica Football Championship, commonly referred to as Tier 2, Hyde is confident that the team will make a swift return for the 2026/27 JPL season.

“We just have to continue working, go down there [to Tier 2] and bring up back the team. It’s a learning process for most of the players. I know what it takes to take them to the next level, but we just have to continue working and know the league because it’s a tough league. I didn’t think we didn’t handle which is why we’re in this position but we just have to wheel and come again,” he said.

Vere have three games remaining in the JPL, starting on Sunday against Arnett Gardens. Hyde says he expects a better showing to end the season with the weight off their shoulders.

“I was looking on them in training on Tuesday morning and everybody’s happy. The pressure is off, which is the key. They’re not feeling pressure that they have to go out and win this match and can’t afford to lose so all those things are off their mind,” he said.

“I think they will play better football and enjoy the moment because they weren’t doing that. We were just keyed up and the occasion got to them most of the time and I think when we play relaxed, we play better, and I think with the pressure off us, we’ll go out there, have fun and win a couple of these games,” Hyde added.

Shemron Phillips (right) of Vere Phoenix United dribbles past Ray Campbell of Chapelton Maroons during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League football match at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on February 16, 2025. The contest ended 1-1. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)