SINCE winning the Jamaica Premier League title in 2022, Harbour View FC have earned failing grades in the subsequent three seasons, finishing in the lower half of the table.

However, the club have turned to the “Teacha” Lenworth Hyde who says he is eager to restore some glory to the “Stars of the East”.

It was an eventful first game back as head coach for Hyde as Harbour View came from behind twice to end 2-2 against Tivoli Gardens FC at the Harbour View Stadium on Sunday.

Oquasso Chong’s 98th-minute strike salvaged a point for Harbour View, cancelling out Nickalia Fuller’s first-half stoppage time goal. Fuller’s 13th-minute opener had already been answered by Harbour View’s Roshawn Oldfield in the 20th.

The game was halted for 10 minutes after a clash of heads between Harbour View defenders Ajeanie Talbott and Gavin Burton, with the latter rushed to Kingston Public Hospital after being stretchered off unconscious.

However, the Jamaica Observer learnt that Burton regained consciousness and was deemed to have avoided any major trauma. Up to press time on Sunday, Burton was awaiting medical advice from doctors before being discharged.

Despite the unfortunate incident, Hyde was pleased the team came away with a point.

Harbour View FC’s Gavin Burton is stretchered off the field by medical personnel and Tivoli Gardens FC’s Alton Lewis (right) after sustaining a head injury during the Jamaica Premier League match at Harbour View Stadium on Sunday. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

“We showed some desire, we showed the right character that is needed in a game like this. And in the situation that we are in right now, you need a performance like this,” he told the Observer.

“We didn’t get the win, [though] we tried our best. We got a couple of chances that we should have put away but, such is the game. I love what I saw and we only can get better.”

Hyde previously parted ways with Harbour View in 2008, just a season after leading them to the title.

Since then he’s had several stints at other clubs, most recently with Vere Phoenix United last season.

Hyde, though, says it was an easy decision to return to the club that he’s always kept in his heart.

“When I finished the [schoolboy football season] with Dinthill Technical I was just waiting, and I got the call from my manager. And from I heard it was Harbour View, I was elated and said, ‘Yeah man, a my place that,’ ” he said.

“I’m not watching the position that we are in. I just love the club and what it has done for me and so when I heard, I wanted to come here. It was a ‘Yes’ right away.”

Hyde is the third coach to take charge of Harbour View this season, following the resignation of Vassell Reynolds last week and the sacking of Byjeon Thomas in November.

The club, which finished 11th last season and 12th the season prior, is sitting in the relegation zone in 13th on 16 points and has won just three times in 19 games.

While safety from demotion is the immediate target, Hyde believes the club can challenge for the title this season.

“From where we are climbing up the ladder, we can get in the top six — and from where you reach the top six you can win the [title], so that is it.

“But we just want to take it one game at a time and get the boys focused, and with these types of performances, we can get there,” he said.

Jerome Waite, Tivoli’s head coach, was disappointed Hyde got a positive start on his return.

“The error [the goalkeeper] made [was] too blatant. From a cross, it was easier to punch the ball away but he grabbed and missed, and that resulted in a goal. These are valuable points that we’ve dropped again,” he lamented.

“We’re hoping we can find players who really want to play,” Waite added.

HYDE… we showed the right character that is needed in a game like this