New Coach Andrew Price says he will be on a mission to awaken the sleeping giant that is St George’s College (STGC), from its 13-year slumber, with the North Street-based school having last won the ISSA Manning Cup title in 2012.

Price did it once before as a player, winning the Manning Cup for the Light Blues in 1983, ending a 24-year drought and now he is tasked with masterminding a return to the glory days at St George’s College.

He replaces veteran Coach Neville Bell, who resigned in December 2025, after serving for over 30 years over two stints; winning five titles, which came in 1992, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. Bell also won the Walker Cup in 2014 and the Super Cup in 2015.

PRICE…to win the Manning Cup is not an easy task presently. All the stars have to align for that to happen but what we will do is be competitive and see where it leaves us (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

STGC are the second-most successful school in the history of the Manning Cup with 21 titles. But the mighty have fallen in recent years and in 2025 they only managed to advance to the second round after finishing second behind Excelsior in the preliminary stage.

But reality kicked in and they were brushed aside in the second round, losing all three games. They lost 2-4 to Charlie Smith, 1-3 to Vauxhall High, and 1-5 to St Catherine High, which was the last straw for Bell.

Still Price, a tough-tackling defender, who won titles in 1983 and 1984, is optimistic for this season despite inheriting a relatively young team.

St George’s College players (from left) Jaymian Lattery, Kevario White and Jermel Douce go through their paces during a recent training session at Winchester Park. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“As a former player and winner of the Manning Cup, I know too well about winning droughts. When we won in 83’ it was the first time in 24 years. So you have to be aware that success periods are cyclical and it is the investment and commitment to the right process that will enable you to bear fruit. We will take it one game at a time,” Price told the Jamaica Observer.

“We have retained several players from the previous year’s team. As you are well aware, our squad is very young with 15- and 16-year-olds making up most of the squad, many of whom played U16 last year,” said Price.

“They have now matriculated to the Manning Cup team. Of course, like any other school, we are awaiting CSEC results for a number of them but we feel confident they will get the required subjects to proceed to sixth form,” Price explained.

Triston Riley looks to get the ball under control during a recent Manning Cup training session at St George’s College. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

STGC are one of the 16 seeded teams and will enter the Manning Cup competition in the second round. The Light Blues are drawn in Group C alongside fierce rivals Kingston College, St Andrew Technical High School, (STATHS), Tivoli Gardens, and the second-placed team from Zone C in the first round and the third-placed team from Zone D.

While Price remains optimistic, he is very aware of the mammoth task on hand to bring back the glory days.

“The squad is a young one and we are in a rebuilding phase. A lot of these players will reach their true potential and development completion in another two years. But we are quietly optimistic that the team will be competitive this season. What we want to do is play some attractive and entertaining football this season while the young players gather more experience,” he noted.

“The preparations have been good so far. The youngsters are enthusiastic and willing to learn. The attendance to training has been very good despite players’ commitment to clubs and academies participating in KSAFA-run competitions this summer. But I encourage it because it’s a part of their development platform,” he added.

“To win the Manning Cup is not an easy task presently. All the stars have to align for that to happen, but what we will do is be competitive and see where it leaves us.

“We are realistic and I know Rome won’t be built in a day. So we are conscious that we have to work hard and encourage the youngsters to give of their best on and off the field. The school administration has been very supportive along with the old boys’ association and the parents. So, it’s just about continuing the process of rebuilding and igniting the commitment on the field from the youngsters,” said Price.