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Saddened Solomon may quit
Saddened Solomon may quit
BY PAUL A REID
Observer West writer
MONTEGO BAY, St James-
Pastor Hugh Solomon is contemplating quitting as coach of the St James High School daCosta Cup team next season, following Saturday's ugly brawl at Jarrett Park. The brawl brought their final game of the season — an Inter-zone game against Rusea’s — to a premature end.
Solomon, who was in his first season as coach of the team, told the OBSERVER WEST on Tuesday he was “still embarrassed by the situation” and wanted to distance himself from “that kind of violence, as it is not what I represent”.
St James High trailed 4-0 with less than a minute to go after having three players sent off by referee Kevin Morrison, who had just awarded a second penalty in the space of a few minutes when the fracas started.
It appeared it was sparked between the two goalkeepers after the Rusea’s custodian, Mario Distin, was invited by his teammates to take the penalty.
Solomon says he is yet to meet officially with the school’s administration, but he told the OBSERVER WEST he was not sure he wanted to return as the coach of the team. He, however, said he was willing to remain in his capacity as chaplain of the football team as he will still be able to work with the players, some of whom he described as "time bombs, just waiting to explode".
Solomon, who is also a member of the executive of the St James Football Association, said he had been getting a number of calls mostly from members of staff of the school, asking him to reconsider his decision as they have seen a big change in the behaviours of the boys since he took over the team.
He also told the OBSERVER WEST that he had also spoken to Anthony 'Follies' Williams, coach of the Rusea’s team, who advised him not be discouraged by what happened.
Solomon said he was proud of the run his team had made and did well to make it to the Inter-Zone round and went into the final game with a chance of making it to the quarter-finals.
He said in their pre-game meeting they had planned “win, lose or draw” to hold hands and run around the field to thank their many supporters for the help during the season.
Solomon said this was one of his big disappointments that they were not able to say a proper thank you to the fans who had stuck with them through thick and thin.
Meanwhile he said they were finalising a report on the incident for the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) who will rule on the incident soon.
Hugh Solomon
St James High and Ruseas players clash during their game on Saturday.
BY PAUL A REID
Observer West writer
MONTEGO BAY, St James-
Pastor Hugh Solomon is contemplating quitting as coach of the St James High School daCosta Cup team next season, following Saturday's ugly brawl at Jarrett Park. The brawl brought their final game of the season — an Inter-zone game against Rusea’s — to a premature end.
Solomon, who was in his first season as coach of the team, told the OBSERVER WEST on Tuesday he was “still embarrassed by the situation” and wanted to distance himself from “that kind of violence, as it is not what I represent”.
St James High trailed 4-0 with less than a minute to go after having three players sent off by referee Kevin Morrison, who had just awarded a second penalty in the space of a few minutes when the fracas started.
It appeared it was sparked between the two goalkeepers after the Rusea’s custodian, Mario Distin, was invited by his teammates to take the penalty.
Solomon says he is yet to meet officially with the school’s administration, but he told the OBSERVER WEST he was not sure he wanted to return as the coach of the team. He, however, said he was willing to remain in his capacity as chaplain of the football team as he will still be able to work with the players, some of whom he described as "time bombs, just waiting to explode".
Solomon, who is also a member of the executive of the St James Football Association, said he had been getting a number of calls mostly from members of staff of the school, asking him to reconsider his decision as they have seen a big change in the behaviours of the boys since he took over the team.
He also told the OBSERVER WEST that he had also spoken to Anthony 'Follies' Williams, coach of the Rusea’s team, who advised him not be discouraged by what happened.
Solomon said he was proud of the run his team had made and did well to make it to the Inter-Zone round and went into the final game with a chance of making it to the quarter-finals.
He said in their pre-game meeting they had planned “win, lose or draw” to hold hands and run around the field to thank their many supporters for the help during the season.
Solomon said this was one of his big disappointments that they were not able to say a proper thank you to the fans who had stuck with them through thick and thin.
Meanwhile he said they were finalising a report on the incident for the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) who will rule on the incident soon.
Hugh Solomon
St James High and Ruseas players clash during their game on Saturday.
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