Humble Lions carry Clarendon's dreams

Richard Bryan, Gleaner writer

Two Premier League teams for Clarendon again? That's the common motivation thread that hung in comments previewing Humble Lions' matchup with August Town of KSAFA, that will take place at the York Town Community Centre.

"I'm not just hopeful, I am desperate for a Humble Lions win," Clarendon FA president Michael Ricketts told The Gleaner.

Ricketts has already made no secret of the FA's plan to resurrect their previous accomplishment of having two Premier League teams - namely Galaxy (now defunct) and Hazard (now renamed Portmore United which operate out of the St Catherine FA).

Though it will be the third match of a six-game series, Ricketts feels the matchup could prove important.

"If you look at the fact that Humble Lions travelled to Brazil and won, and that August Town took care of Wadadah with relative ease, at least from reports I personally got, then I feel it (this game) will give us a direct indication of the teams that will move forward," Ricketts said.

The last two qualifying series showed a pattern for the two teams which hit the ground early with opening wins. It was a similar case in 2007 for Sporting Central Academy and St Georges Sports Club, while it followed suit with Meadhaven United and Rivoli United last year.

Close-knit community

Similarly, the Humble Lions camp believes this matchup is a ticket they could bank on as they look to crown their 35th anniversary later this year with Premier League qualification.

"This is not one of those situations we plan to take lightly," charged Andrew Pringle, a member of the management team and whose brother Anthony is also the long-standing team coach.

"This game is important for the players. We're from a close-knit community and the people need a Premier League team," he argued.

The players, he revealed, have been housed at the club's base at the Effortville Community Centre since the semi-finals of the Super League, which they won with penalties over Bodles. That venue, however, is still under major redevelopment, which on completion is expected to meet the standards required to host Digicel Premier League games.

Pringle also pointed to motivation from the return to that camp by their best known player, Kemar Mills.

Mills, who has considerable Premier League experience, is recovering from a head injury he received in the Super League final, which almost left portions of his upper body paralysed.

"The players also want to do it for him," said Pringle. "He was our most important player and the hope is he can be back later this year to play with the team in the Premier League."