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Bye-bye, ‘Rom-Rom’ - Mount Pleasant release disappointing Campbell after one season

Published:Tuesday | August 27, 2019 | 12:27 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Romario Campbell (centre), representing Mount Pleasant Academy, goes down under the challenge of the Portmore United pair of Donnegy Fer (left) and Chavany Willis (right) during their Red Stripe Premier League football match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
Ian Allen
Romario Campbell (centre), representing Mount Pleasant Academy, goes down under the challenge of the Portmore United pair of Donnegy Fer (left) and Chavany Willis (right) during their Red Stripe Premier League football match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday, January 6, 2019.

Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) outfit Mount Pleasant Academy have released popular midfielder Romario Campbell ahead of the new season, which begins on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Campbell signed with Mount Pleasant from Waterhouse last season following the team’s promotion to the nation’s top league, but things certainly did not go to plan for the talented midfielder, with the club’s management noting that they were not satisfied with his output or application during his time at the St Ann-based club.

Campbell struggled with fitness issues, resulting in him being relegated to the bench by head coach Donovan Duckie for much of the campaign.

In fact, the former Norman Manley High School Manning Cup standout, who was brought into the club to much fanfare, looked overweight for most of last season and failed to score a single goal for the RSPL semi-finalists.

David Galloaway, manager of Mount Pleasant, confirmed that the club has decided to part ways with the midfielder, noting that the player did not apply himself well enough for them to consider continuing their relationship him.

“I think that when you get your chance and opportunity to do what you have to do, then you have to do it and do it right, and he didn’t do that,” said Galloaway. “Romario is always a good player that any club would want, but it just never worked out here for [him].

“I think he just needs to work harder because if he was working hard enough, then he wouldn’t depart from the club,” Galloaway added.

Along with Campbell, striker Devon Hodges has left Mount Pleasant and will turn out for Tivoli Gardens this year.

They have, however, signed midfielder Jahmiel Hardware from Arnett Gardens, and Galloway shared that the club was still looking at bringing more players into their set-up as they get ready to launch another attack on the RSPL trophy after losing to eventual champions Portmore United in the semi-final stage.

Galloaway underlined that his club is ready to spend again for the upcoming season if they are required to do so.

“We are in dialogue with more players, and if they pull through, then they pull through, and so we will just wait and see because we are always looking for players,” Galloaway stated.