KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former champion team Harbour View has appointed Byjeon Thomas as its new head coach.

Thomas resigned from his head coaching position at Chapelton Maroons immediately after it was acquired by Phoenix Academy last week.

Harbour View has long courted the talented coach, and he now replaces veteran Sydney McFarlene as head coach.

The Stars of the East Technical Director, Ludlow Bernard, said last year they interviewed Thomas and he was selected, but was lured away by Chapelton Maroons.

“We had no choice but to appoint Coach McFarlane, who was also interviewed for the job,” Bernard explained.

“Once the ownership of Chapleton Maroons changed, it now meant that Coach Thomas’ position there would become untenable,” said Bernard, who walked away as head coach after leading Harbour View to the title in 2022.

“He subsequently resigned a few days later and made himself available to Harbour View. Our technical group reconvened and took the decision to reappoint him,” Bernard explained.

“Coach Thomas is a certified B License coach and has enrolled for the upcoming A License.  He’s a Harbour View native and was successful in promoting the Maroons to the Premier League,” he noted.

Thomas will also be assisted by former Harbour View players Christopher Harvey and Nicholas Beckett.

“I expect better performances this season, especially with the core of coaches deployed and the mixture of experience in the squad,” said Bernard.

Thomas played for Wolmer’s Boys, Clarendon College and Harbour View before injuries derailed his playing career and forced him into coaching.

He coached at Clarendon College and Lennon High before bringing Chapelton Maroons into the Jamaica Premier League.

He also guided Maverley Hughenden to the Kingston and St Andrew Super League title in 2017, and promotion to the summit of Jamaica’s club football.