All for the kids! - Mount Pleasant owner plans long-term project
Published:Monday | May 7, 2018 | 12:00 AMMarc Stamp/Gleaner Writer
Peter Gould, owner of Mount Pleasant Football Academy in St Ann, is investing in youngsters in order to properly develop talent and expose them to the next level.
Despite winning the Magnum Eastern Confederation final against Albion Mountain of St Mary, and advancing to the Jamaica Football Federation play-off series, Gould says that the main focus is the academy.
Mount Pleasant defeated Albion Mountain 4-3 on penalty kicks after the teams battled to a 2-2 result following regulation and extra time at Drax Hall on Sunday.
"It is about the kids; they are the serious ones. The kids [are] going to Mexico, the kids [are] going to the Cayman Islands. That is the serious part. It is not really premiership football. It is about the kids going to America, going to Europe. They are the future," Gould, who is an Englishman now living and operating a business in St Ann, told The Gleaner on Sunday night.
DEVELOPING TALENT
"The senior team is the fun part. It is not about the Premier League. If we are lucky to get there, that would be good. It is about the kids, exposing them. The ambition is to develop talent for the future," he shared.
Gould pointed out that he enjoys the support of the people of the community. He was encouraged to get involved with the football team that started two years ago.
"I have been in the community and [I am] doing it for the people. As you see, the support from the community is big. It may not be now, but this is the start.
"I am happy for the senior team. How could I not be? We have been unbeatable and won the title. Now, we will rest and come back to work to prepare for the play-off," he said about preparation for the JFF's play-off series, which is scheduled to start later this month.
Mount Pleasant led 2-0 in the final, but Albion Mountain fought back and tied the score 2-2 at the end of regulation and extra time.
However, Mount Pleasant, who ended the game with 10 players, prevailed during a nervy penalty shoot-out.
"The game was a tough one for the neutral, but I enjoyed it. We led, and the game was decided on penalties," said the benefactor.
Gould would not disclose details of his plans to The Gleaner, saying they will be revealed at a press conference on Thursday.