Williams sees Portmore revival on the horizon
Published:Wednesday | May 24, 2023 | 12:48 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
THE FIRST full year of Phillip Williams’ reign at Portmore United has been one characterised by renewal.
While the work continues to make a return to challenging in the Jamaica Premier League, winning silverware this season, by way of the Lynk Cup, would reward for success-starved supporters and could signal a return to the days when trophies were the norm.
Portmore United’s Lynk Cup second-leg semi-final victory over Harbour View last Friday has put them on the brink of their first domestic cup of any kind since winning the Jamaica Premier League title in 2019.
It has been a difficult road since then, as they have yet to make a return to the playoffs since that season. However, Williams says that the injection of reinforcements such as Lamar Walker, Alex Marshall and Chevaughn Walsh have helped to recalibrate the team in his image.
“It is a work in progress. Chevaughn, Alex, and Lamar came in mid-January. Probably if they were here before, probably the season would have turned out much differently. But it has been an overhaul that we have been doing to the team in terms of the concept of how we play and the players that are there,” Williams said.
Williams took the job in May 2022, finishing the rest of a season in which they finished 10th in the league with 20 points, eight off a playoff spot.
This year they missed out again on the postseason, but barely, finishing seventh with 40 points, one point away from the top six. While disappointed to not have better luck on the final day of the regular season, Williams is optimistic about the long-term vision he has for the club.
“It is a work in progress. We would have loved to be in the playoffs. We just missed out on it. But we are here for the long haul and development and growth are the aim,” Williams said.
Still in with a chance of finishing the season with a trophy, Williams said getting back the feeling of success will go a long way to returning Portmore to its former prestige.
“Portmore is known for winning titles, but for the last couple of years. So winning here is very important for the club and the community. I think it will form a catalyst in terms of pulling new talent to the club and also getting back some of our supporters. It would be a plus for us,” Williams said.
Portmore United will face Cavalier in Friday’s final.