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Sporting's Lewis secures trial stint in Serbia
BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer
Saturday, January 02, 2010
CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon -- Sporting Central Academy's ace defender Linval Lewis is to depart the island this month for a trial stint in Serbia -- providing he secures the relevant travel documents, club president Brandon Murray has confirmed.
Murray did not give an exact date for the player's departure, or how long he will be staying in Europe, but noted that his team is currently in the process of acquiring the relevant travel documents for the player.
LEWIS... I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure (Photo: Oshane Tobias)
LEWIS... I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure (Photo: Oshane Tobias)
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"We are just looking about the paper work right now, but he will be leaving in January. He is going to Serbia and then we will see what happens after that," said Murray.
The club's top man could not say how many clubs will be facilitating the former Clarendon College student, but disclosed that the agent/scout who will be responsible for Lewis in Europe is very impressed with the player's abilities.
"I don't know the specific club that he will be going to; maybe it will be more than one club, (but for now) it is supposed to be a start. Linval is being given an opportunity, what will happen we don't know. We just have to wish him the best and hope that he will go and something materialise for him because I think he is deserving of this", he said.
"It's been a longtime coming; he has certainly been an outstanding defender in many people's eyes. When the Serbian scout came here in September, he saw him and liked him and it is my understanding that he even went on to Brazil and even after his tour of Brazil he still has an interest in him. So, that speaks volume to me, so let us see," Murray noted.
Lewis, who recently played his first game in a Reggae Boyz shirt against St Kitts, said he is feeling a bit jittery but will be grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
"I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure... and I'm really looking forward to the success (because) that would be a great achievement for me and the club (were he to secure a contract)," said the hard-tackling defender.
Meanwhile, Murray said if Lewis was to secure a contract it will be a plus for the club that was started only nine years ago, adding that it has always been a vision of the club to prepare players for the export market.
"Certainly any club right now with the current economic climate, if something was to materialise it would be of good financial benefit (and) we would more than welcome it", said Murray.
He added: "That is one of the primary visions as far as the club is concerned. Football takes money and to keep any programme going at this level, therefore anything that will allow us to earn revenue is more than welcome. As far as contracts are concerned, being able to produce players that other clubs will be willing to pay for and allow these players to move on and earn a better living at the highest level... that is something that we welcome."
If Lewis is successful in inking a deal, he will become the first player from Sporting Central to land an overseas contract.
Additionally, he would become the third footballer from the parish to secure a European contract in recent years -- following in the footsteps of his former schoolmate Rodolph Austin and Eric Vernon, who were both traded from Portmore United to Norwegian clubs in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Austin plays for SK Brann in the Norwegian premier league, while Vernon plays for Nybergsund IL-Trysil on a loan agreement.
BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer
Saturday, January 02, 2010
CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon -- Sporting Central Academy's ace defender Linval Lewis is to depart the island this month for a trial stint in Serbia -- providing he secures the relevant travel documents, club president Brandon Murray has confirmed.
Murray did not give an exact date for the player's departure, or how long he will be staying in Europe, but noted that his team is currently in the process of acquiring the relevant travel documents for the player.
LEWIS... I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure (Photo: Oshane Tobias)
LEWIS... I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure (Photo: Oshane Tobias) 1/1 The club's top man could not say how many clubs will be facilitating the former Clarendon College student, but disclosed that the agent/scout who will be responsible for Lewis in Europe is very impressed with the player's abilities.
"I don't know the specific club that he will be going to; maybe it will be more than one club, (but for now) it is supposed to be a start. Linval is being given an opportunity, what will happen we don't know. We just have to wish him the best and hope that he will go and something materialise for him because I think he is deserving of this", he said.
"It's been a longtime coming; he has certainly been an outstanding defender in many people's eyes. When the Serbian scout came here in September, he saw him and liked him and it is my understanding that he even went on to Brazil and even after his tour of Brazil he still has an interest in him. So, that speaks volume to me, so let us see," Murray noted.
Lewis, who recently played his first game in a Reggae Boyz shirt against St Kitts, said he is feeling a bit jittery but will be grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
"I just hope to achieve a long-term contract to improve my abilities and get a lot of exposure... and I'm really looking forward to the success (because) that would be a great achievement for me and the club (were he to secure a contract)," said the hard-tackling defender.
Meanwhile, Murray said if Lewis was to secure a contract it will be a plus for the club that was started only nine years ago, adding that it has always been a vision of the club to prepare players for the export market.
"Certainly any club right now with the current economic climate, if something was to materialise it would be of good financial benefit (and) we would more than welcome it", said Murray.
He added: "That is one of the primary visions as far as the club is concerned. Football takes money and to keep any programme going at this level, therefore anything that will allow us to earn revenue is more than welcome. As far as contracts are concerned, being able to produce players that other clubs will be willing to pay for and allow these players to move on and earn a better living at the highest level... that is something that we welcome."
If Lewis is successful in inking a deal, he will become the first player from Sporting Central to land an overseas contract.
Additionally, he would become the third footballer from the parish to secure a European contract in recent years -- following in the footsteps of his former schoolmate Rodolph Austin and Eric Vernon, who were both traded from Portmore United to Norwegian clubs in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Austin plays for SK Brann in the Norwegian premier league, while Vernon plays for Nybergsund IL-Trysil on a loan agreement.
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