KC, STGC Old Boys relive Manning Cup glory

Though they hail from opposing sides of North Street, legendary Kingston College (KC) forward Neville Oxford and Andrew Price, the former St George's College (STGC) defender, both believe that today's ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup final will be a big occasion.

However, while Oxford envisions an open game, Price thinks it will be cagey when KC faces St George's College at

6 p.m. at the National Stadium.

Remarkably, despite the two schools having 36 Manning Cup titles between them, this evening's clash will see the first-ever All-North Street final.

Price, who helped the Light Blues win the Cup in 1983 and 1984, explained: "The closest that opportunity has ever come about was in 1959, where both teams finished on the same number of points, and there had to be a playoff at Sabina Park to decide who won the Manning Cup, and St George's won that game 1-0."

The Manning Cup was then played on a league format, with the first Manning Cup final played in 1974.

Oxford, who played when KC thumped the Georgians 6-0 to clinch the title in 1964, added, "Even when both teams are not doing well, that match is really a special match, and I think you're going to have a bumper crowd."

Price concurred, saying, "The game on Friday (today) is going to be a monumental game."

Today's contest could be tight, based on a 1-1 draw in the preseason Roper Cup and a 0-0 second-round stand-off.

"George's have a very good, young team," Oxford assessed. "KC have the more experienced players, but look out for a battle to the end. It's going to be a lovely game, and I think it's going to be a good football spectacle."

Price theorised that the Ludlow Bernard-coached Purples will also have to deal with the added pressure of 32 years without winning the title, while noting that STGC have done well to get to this stage given their rebuilding state.

"I think Kingston College, 32 years in the wilderness, they're desperate, and that is added pressure on the team, and you really don't want that type of pressure on a young team. I know we're (STGC) in a rebuilding mode, so they have really, really impressed me, and I'm really surprised at where there are, but any team that's in the final, I have this saying, 'You have to be in it to win it'," said Price.

As a coach himself, Price understands the pressure.

"I think that Ludlow Bernard, under a bit of pressure throughout the entire season, under a bit of pressure over the last couple of years from the Kingston College Old Boys, who are very demanding, needs to get it done, and it just depends on how well the players react to the pressure," said Price.

For Oxford, St George's captain, midfielder Cheva Denton, is a good prospect, and he is hoping that his young Fortis brothers can buck the recent trend of results against their neighbours.

STGC enjoy a good recent record against KC, with Manning Cup wins in 2014 and 2015.

"I think KC are very, very mindful of the 7-0 they got at St George's about three years ago, and I think they're still smarting about it," Oxford mused over a 2014 St George's win.

Both teams are also down to face each other in the Under-16 final today at the same venue, starting at 3:30 p.m.