Hydel High Principal Dr Walton Small has expressed confidence in the school winning their first Manning Cup title next season following the appointment of Alex Thomas as head coach of the institution’s senior football team.

Thomas replaces Devon Anderson who is said to have taken the reins at Clarendon College following the departure of Lenworth Hyde from the Chapelton-based school for Dinthill Technical.

Dr Small told Observer Online that he gave Anderson his blessing after a good four-year tenure, but thought Thomas is a match made in heaven, having worked with the incoming coach before at Wolmer’s.

“He has been introduced into the team today (Tuesday). He is a gentleman I used to work with at Wolmer’s. So, I know of his quality as a coach and I know he’s gonna bring a real good thing to this institution,” said Dr Small.

“He’s very qualified too and I know he’s a serious person. So, I’m expecting good things from him. I tell him that he can in fact give me the cup this year,” Dr Small noted.

He continued: “Last year, we went to the semis. The year before it was finals, so I tell them this year they have to take it home and the commitment is here. The boys are serious.”

Hydel lost the 2023 Manning Cup final to Mona High and in 2024 they lost to eventual champions Kingston College in the semi-final.

Thomas brings a wealth of experience to Hydel, having coached at his alma mater Wolmer’s, Arnett Gardens, Molynes United, Humble Lion and Guyana-based Slingerz FC who he guided to an unbeaten season in the Guyana Elite League Championship 2023/24 season.

As a player, he presented Wolmer’s in the Manning Cup and captained Jamaica’s first youth team to qualify for a World Cup — the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand.

Then two years later, he was a part of the second Jamaican youth team to qualify for a World Cup — the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina. This team was captained by his brother, Shavar Thomas.

With his credentials, Dr Small expects Thomas to deliver with a team that have retained 12 players from last season, five of whom are starting players.

With the same management team headed by Ryan Foster, Dr Small believes Thomas would fit in seamlessly as they all worked together at Wolmer’s.

Thomas was just as excited and is ready for the upcoming season.

“It’s a new challenge and looking at what Hydel have done over the last few years reaching the final and the semi-final, it’s a team that I want to work with and with the leaders at the back as in the management staff and the principal,” Thomas told Observer Online.

“These are persons that I have worked with at Wolmer’s Boys and I just want to bring my ability and a championship to this Hydel programme,” he added.

“I met the team on Tuesday and I love the environment which breeds success, and I am looking forward to working with them,” Thomas noted.