‘Deliberate’ KC ready to challenge for schoolboy football titles

Having gone trophyless for their second season in a row in ISSA schoolboy football competitions last year, Kingston College (KC) head coach Vassell Reynolds is aware the pressure is on for the ‘famed purples’ ahead of the Manning Cup season.

The giants of North Street last pieces of silverware came in the 2021 season where they completed the double, winning the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield titles.

Reynolds said this season will prove even more significant as the school nears its 100th year anniversary. He hopes they can get the celebrations started early with success on the field.

“Whatever we do, this year will be very important based on the history and milestone that the school will experience with our 100th anniversary so we’ll be trying our very best as an institution and as a team to add some colour to the celebrations,” Reynolds said.

The preseason for KC has had its fair share of issues and injury concerns but Reynolds said it will not affect their goal of contesting for titles.

He said while the team will not be at its best at the start of the season, he is confident his players will peak at the right time.

“Like any other institution, we have had a few challenges. I doubt you will have preseason without one or two injury concerns. I think with the support of management, we have been able to withstand those challenges,” he explained.

We should get better

“We would have loved another week or so before the start of the season but it is all on us to get ourselves prepared. We were deliberate in how we prepared the team this summer to go deep in the competition. We might not be as ready as we’d liked for the first couple of games but for the next week and half, we should be better.”

KC will have one final test before they begin their Manning Cup campaign as the team is gearing towards a North Street clash with neighbours St George’s College in the Roper Cup on Saturday.

While KC fans can anticipate a good showing from the team, Reynold’s focus will be on fine-tuning the squad ahead of September’s start to the season.

“The Roper Cup will certainly be a fine-tuner,” he said. “We have our first game eight or seven days after the Roper Cup so we know it is a final test in a number of ways. It is very important that the players express themselves and showcase what they are prepared to do this season.”

KC have been drawn in Group C alongside Campion College, Cumberland High, Jose Marti High, Meadowbrook High and Penwood High.