Powell backs Montego Bay United to deliver on two fronts

Western Bureau:

With a place in the Red Stripe Premier League semi-finals secured, Montego Bay United (MBU) are still hoping to fight on two fronts, with the club also looking towards the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship in Trinidad and Tobago, May 22-27.

Club chairman Orville Powell revealed at a press conference yesterday that the focus is on retaining their Premier League title as well as to move beyond Trinidad's W Connection in the CFU semi-final, but that the lack of financial resources was still a major stumbling block.

According to Powell, MBU need $1.5 million to make the trip to Trinidad, but so far have raised a little over $600,000.

"We need some financial backing in order to go to Trinidad, but all things being equal, we will get there," he said.

"We would want the assistance of the Montego Bay businesses in this venture, as we represent the city and the parish of St James," Powell added.

ready for another challenge

As for the Premier League, Powell said his team is ready for another Waterhouse FC challenge, telling the reporters that his MBU team will travel to Kingston and take the game to Waterhouse, a team they have been duelling since that 5-1 thrashing in last season's final.

"I know they are shaking," Powell said of Waterhouse. "We are going there to take it to them in Kingston.

"Waterhouse, prepare, because we not going to wait until the Montego Bay (return) leg. We want it (win) from Kingston," he said.

MBU face Waterhouse in the first leg semi-final on Sunday at Drewsland, and in spite of showing class when it matters, MBU, Powell said, are still not getting the respect they deserve.

He said other teams such as Arnett Gardens FC, Waterhouse and Humble Lion are much more respected, hence the club's all-out attempt to retain their title.

"Yes, we have financial challenges, much like any other club here, but we have great ambition and we plan to make sure that we get the respect we deserve as champions. Part of that is to defeat Waterhouse in the semis, go into the final against either Humble Lion or Arnett, and win there, too," Powell said.

Meanwhile, gas provider Massy Gas Products Ltd, through its brand GasPro, has given its support of the champions with a year's supply of gas, which, according to the company's key account manager western area, Neville Lawson, was designed to assist the club to maintain its role as developer of youth in Montego Bay.

GasPro's sponsorship is valued at $500,000 over one year and will be reassessed based on the team's performance.