‘At Boys’ Town to create hope, opportunities’ - New president Price outlines vision for Trench Town club
Published:Sunday | August 2, 2020 | 12:00 AMLivingston Scott - Sunday Gleaner Writer
After representing the Boys’ Town Football Club with distinction as both a player and a coach for over 30 years, Andrew Price is looking to do the same as the new president of the Trench Town-based outfit.
Price, who won the National Premier League title with the Collie Smith Drive club in 1989, and led them to the brink of top-flight success twice as coach, wants to take the club on a new path, and he intends to use his wide range of experience and knowledge to provide strong leadership and guidance in order to develop a professional structure to take the club forward.
“We want to restructure the club so we can give youngsters more opportunities. We want to develop young players so they will be able to be good players or good citizens of this country. I am just there to provide leadership and governance and to try to assist them with my experience and knowledge of how football clubs are run,” said Price.
However, he declared they are not concerned with returning to the top flight at this time, as the new structure will see them focusing on youth development and providing opportunities for youngsters from the community.
“That (Premier League return) is not one of our main ambitions right now. Our main objective is to develop under-10, under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-20s, get them to matriculate through the various age groups where they can go to school and obtain football scholarships or develop their skills where they can represent Jamaica and try and earn contracts. If we qualify for the Premier League, it happens, but that is not our focus. We are focusing on developing the youths,” Price continued.
“There are so many talented youngsters in the community in need of hope and we want to give them hope and opportunities so they can become better players and individuals. That is why we are looking seriously at creating an academy at Boys’ Town,” he added.
CORONAVIRUS IMPACT
He believes the coronavirus outbreak will make it even more difficult to garner corporate support for the club; however, he is confident his experience as a national football administrator for more than a decade will serve him well in his new post.
Price will remain as head coach at Humble Lion, but he reasoned that those who question his commitment to the Clarendon-based top-flight outfit have no need to do so.
“No matter where I go or which other club I am with, I always have Boys’ Town in my heart. So when they asked me to serve I couldn’t refuse. But it will not detract from my other duties.
“There is no conflict there (with Humble Lion). It is volunteerism. I am not coaching there (Boys’ Town) or directing their technical programme. Humble Lion is my work. I am committed to serving them and I will continue to do the work I have been given to do, and this (Boys’ Town position) won’t affect it in any way,” insisted Price.
Price replaces Leon Mitchell, who was elected three years ago. However, Mitchell will remain a part of the institution.