It isn’t uncommon for Jerome Waite to coach a team at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League.

However, on Sunday, it felt different being on the away bench and dressing room as head coach of Arnett Gardens FC’s fierce rivals Tivoli Gardens FC.

It was his first top-flight game in the Jungle since he was fired in August 2019 by Chairman Mark Golding, who took over the post a year before.

Waite, who led Arnett to four league titles, had the opportunity to add to his successful West Kingston derby record, but this time, being on the other side of the coin.

In Tivoli’s first two games against Waterhouse and Vere United, Waite watched from the stands while long-time assistant Orlando Clarke stood in the technical area giving instructions. But for this clash, Waite decided to watch from the bench. Clarke, though, was still front and centre in the technical area while Waite sat and took notes throughout the 90 minutes.

It certainly was a successful return as Justin Dunn’s hat-trick gave Tivoli a 3-1 win and their first win at Tony Spaulding since 2019. However, one thing was noticeable in the usually hostile Arnett environment, Waite was still very much respected.

In their previous encounter against Vere United in the opening game of a double-header at Stadium East, Arnett supporters who were preparing to watch their game against Harbour View bombarded Waite with greetings who found it hard to focus and give instructions to Clarke on the sidelines. On Monday, it was a similar story as before, during and after the match, Arnett supporters of all ages addressed him with love and admiration.

This was something he didn’t quite expect.

“The feeling was pretty much overwhelmed,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “A lot of Arnett fans greeted me and continued to shout me from a distance, letting me know they’re still here and watching my progress from a distance. So it was a good feeling.”

Many felt Waite was let go unceremoniously by Arnett chairman Golding, believing that a man who brought the club so much success should have continued in the post. However, he holds no grudges.

“You have coaches [who might] win competitions, tournaments or leagues and you’d be surprised the next year he’s no longer there. That’s a part of life, that’s a part of the process as it relates to coaching, and it’s not to be bitter or anything; you just move on.”

After the victory, Waite is now urging his current players to show what it means to play for Tivoli Gardens.

“The past week, we took the time out to step up the intensity of training but one of the key things is to spend a little bit more time talking to the team, letting them understand the importance of representing Tivoli,” he said.

“Application will be a key factor as it relates to the offensive tactics and today they did that well. One of the things [now] is to get these players back together [because] we have niggling injuries. We’ll see how best we can sort those out and continue to work assiduously.”

Waite and Tivoli will return to action on Sunday against Humble Lions.