VERE WON’T ‘HYDE’ – Jamaica Observer

Regardless of Vere Phoenix United’s relegation from the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Head Coach Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde says he’s optimistic that the “inexperienced” staff will return to the league in brief order after studying from errors.

With three video games to go, the Clarendon-based membership grew to become the primary membership this season to undergo the dreaded drop after a 1-2 defeat to guests Tivoli Gardens on the Wembley Centre of Excellence on Sunday.

Vere, who completed ninth final season, had been buoyant coming into the marketing campaign after Phoenix Academy founder Craig Butler took possession of the membership final July.

Nevertheless, they had been unable to make the impression they might have hoped for, dropping 23 of their 36 video games thus far, which is prone to see them end on the foot of the 14-team desk. Vere, who’ve registered only one win of their final 20 video games, even have the worst offensive and defensive information within the league, conceding 70 objectives whereas scoring 30.

Hyde, who was introduced in by Butler final summer time, has received JPL titles with Hazard United (now Portmore United) in 2002/03, Harbour View in 2006/07 and Tivoli Gardens in 2008/09 however this season marks the primary time experiencing relegation as a head coach.

He instructed the Jamaica Observer that the youthful Vere squad couldn’t adapt to the circumstances of the league.

“We’ve got an inexperienced staff, we’ve got some youths out of Manning Cup and introduced them into the league. The proprietor, Mr Butler, thought it match to take management of the staff along with his imaginative and prescient to attempt to get the gamers to play within the highest league in Jamaica so he can get them in overseas. He’s an agent, an proprietor and a coach, in order that’s the route he took, purchased out the staff, carried his gamers from Mona [High] and from abroad and we tried a factor nevertheless it simply didn’t work,” mentioned Hyde. “The Premier League is not any joke, we’ve got to get fitter as a result of I don’t suppose we had been 100 per cent bodily prepared.”

Hyde admits that the staff competed nicely all through the season however lacked key traits wanted to keep away from relegation.

“Many of the video games we performed, we regarded good. We performed good soccer, took the lead a pair occasions after which we pale away. The tempo of the league is what bought to us as a result of we’re not used to it. The early a part of the sport we regarded good and performed good however the consistency and expertise, we have to be taught. Additionally, the toughness of the opponents we didn’t deal with and that’s the educational course of that we are able to take out of the season.”

Whereas dissatisfied with the transfer right down to the Jamaica Soccer Championship, generally known as Tier 2, Hyde is assured that the staff will make a swift return for the 2026/27 JPL season.

“We simply need to proceed working, go down there [to Tier 2] and convey up again the staff. It’s a studying course of for a lot of the gamers. I do know what it takes to take them to the subsequent degree, however we simply need to proceed working and know the league as a result of it’s a tricky league. I didn’t suppose we didn’t deal with which is why we’re on this place however we simply need to wheel and are available once more,” he mentioned.

Vere have three video games remaining within the JPL, beginning on Sunday in opposition to Arnett Gardens. Hyde says he expects a greater exhibiting to finish the season with the burden off their shoulders.

“I used to be wanting on them in coaching on Tuesday morning and everyone’s joyful. The stress is off, which is the important thing. They’re not feeling stress that they need to exit and win this match and might’t afford to lose so all these issues are off their thoughts,” he mentioned.

“I feel they may play higher soccer and benefit from the second as a result of they weren’t doing that. We had been simply keyed up and the event bought to them more often than not and I feel after we play relaxed, we play higher, and I feel with the stress off us, we’ll go on the market, have enjoyable and win a few these video games,” Hyde added.

Shemron Phillips (proper) of Vere Phoenix United dribbles previous Ray Campbell of Chapelton Maroons throughout the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League soccer match at Anthony Spaulding Sports activities Complicated on February 16, 2025. The competition ended 1-1. (Images: Garfield Robinson)