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MBUFC's Powell: No need to panic
Published: Saturday | October 1, 2011
Businessman Orville Powell, president of Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC), unveiling the club's blueprint at the recent launch of the club in Montego Bay. - Photo by Adrian Frater
MoBay outfit ready to break winless drought
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
Despite losing two of their three games, businessman Orville Powell, president of National Premier League (NPL) outfit Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC), says there is no reason to start pushing the panic button as the team is playing well, albeit that they are yet to win a game.
"There is no reason to panic," said Powell, who bought the franchise for former national champions Seba United earlier this year and rebranded the organisation MBUFC. "We are a forward-thinking organisation and we know that things will get better soon."
In their opening game, MBUFC enjoyed a 1-0 lead for a considerable period against champions Tivoli Gardens, which rallied strongly to win 2-1. In their second game, they took a 1-0 lead but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Boys' Town, while in third game leaders Waterhouse clipped them 1-0.
Reason for sluggish start
Powell believes that MBUFC's sluggish start to the season has more to do with their failure to execute a proper preseason programme than any lack of competence in terms of the quality of the team.
"I believe we have a very good crop of players but our preseason preparation was not good, so we did not enter the competition as sharp as we should have," said Powell. "Nonetheless, people have been complementing us on our style of play, and we believe we are now ready to start winning."
"I believe the players have now 'jelled' sufficiently," continued Powell. "I believe we are now ready to start producing positive results and hopefully, it could start against Harbour View tomorrow."
While he has a lot of faith in the current crop of players on the MBUFC roster, based on his long-term plan to become a powerhouse in national football, Powell has plans in place to strengthen the team with players recruited from South America.
"We have identified the players we want, and once we get the required international clearance, we will be bringing them here to start training with the team," said Powell. "We should have the services of these players after the next transfer window is closed."
Although he is fully focused on the MBUFC vision and refuses to be distracted in any significant way, Powell is concerned about the phenomenal cost of using the Montego Bay Sports Complex, which they choose to use as their home ground.
"We have to be paying $300,000 per game for rental and when you multiply that by 19 home games, that is a massive sum," said Powell. "I am hoping that we will be able to negotiate a reduction in the price."
However, come what may, Powell says MBUFC is here to stay as he is fully committed to making the club a success.
"We are still feeling the buzz and confidence is quite high," said Powell. "We know what we want to do and we are confident that we will be able to do it."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports4.html
Published: Saturday | October 1, 2011
Businessman Orville Powell, president of Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC), unveiling the club's blueprint at the recent launch of the club in Montego Bay. - Photo by Adrian Frater
MoBay outfit ready to break winless drought
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
Despite losing two of their three games, businessman Orville Powell, president of National Premier League (NPL) outfit Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC), says there is no reason to start pushing the panic button as the team is playing well, albeit that they are yet to win a game.
"There is no reason to panic," said Powell, who bought the franchise for former national champions Seba United earlier this year and rebranded the organisation MBUFC. "We are a forward-thinking organisation and we know that things will get better soon."
In their opening game, MBUFC enjoyed a 1-0 lead for a considerable period against champions Tivoli Gardens, which rallied strongly to win 2-1. In their second game, they took a 1-0 lead but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Boys' Town, while in third game leaders Waterhouse clipped them 1-0.
Reason for sluggish start
Powell believes that MBUFC's sluggish start to the season has more to do with their failure to execute a proper preseason programme than any lack of competence in terms of the quality of the team.
"I believe we have a very good crop of players but our preseason preparation was not good, so we did not enter the competition as sharp as we should have," said Powell. "Nonetheless, people have been complementing us on our style of play, and we believe we are now ready to start winning."
"I believe the players have now 'jelled' sufficiently," continued Powell. "I believe we are now ready to start producing positive results and hopefully, it could start against Harbour View tomorrow."
While he has a lot of faith in the current crop of players on the MBUFC roster, based on his long-term plan to become a powerhouse in national football, Powell has plans in place to strengthen the team with players recruited from South America.
"We have identified the players we want, and once we get the required international clearance, we will be bringing them here to start training with the team," said Powell. "We should have the services of these players after the next transfer window is closed."
Although he is fully focused on the MBUFC vision and refuses to be distracted in any significant way, Powell is concerned about the phenomenal cost of using the Montego Bay Sports Complex, which they choose to use as their home ground.
"We have to be paying $300,000 per game for rental and when you multiply that by 19 home games, that is a massive sum," said Powell. "I am hoping that we will be able to negotiate a reduction in the price."
However, come what may, Powell says MBUFC is here to stay as he is fully committed to making the club a success.
"We are still feeling the buzz and confidence is quite high," said Powell. "We know what we want to do and we are confident that we will be able to do it."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports4.html
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