Wadadah's Ricketts plots return to RSPL

Wadadad FC's coach Daniel Ricketts, has high hopes for the St James-based club this year.

They have been out of the nation's top flight for 11 years and Ricketts feels that they have a strong chance to return to the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) for the 2018-19 season.

On Sunday, Ricketts, brother of former national goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, was on the sidelines as Wadadah secured a place in the Premier League playoffs. They captured the JFF WesternConfederation/Charley's JB Rum Super League title 6-5 on penalty kicks over Faulkland FC after the teams played to a 1-1 scoreline at Jarrett Park.

"I would like to see the team return to the Premier League. That's why I've stuck around so long doing all of this (coaching), to see if the team can return to the top," said Ricketts.

Motivated

He added: "The youths motivate me most. It's just to get them together and let them experience the joy of winning, because if most of them weren't coming to training in the evenings and playing football, they probably would be in problems."

Ricketts and other members of his family have been a part of Wadadah for as long as he can remember.

He noted that his youngest brother, Denyu (17), who also plays daCosta Cup for Cornwall College, is the last of six siblings who have played for the club.

Now 42, Ricketts feels his experience will be key in their march towards the RSPL.

"This is the third or fourth time I'm leading them into the playoffs, this time around I think my experience will be important," said Ricketts, who was a player for the club when they got relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

"Now I have to let the guys know the most important things that we have to do. We have two weeks to prepare ourselves as best as we can to ensure we have a chance to play in the RSPL next season," he added.