'Lily' Pollard axed
Beveney leads football team to Barbados
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
February 14, 2004
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Neider Dos Santos dropped a bombshell yesterday when former national captain Charles `Lily' Pollard was omitted from the 18-man senior team to travel to Barbados.
Not only is Pollard not in the 18-member team, but he was also axed from the 26-member squad to continue training for World Cup Qualifiers which begin in Grenada later this month. This may well signal an end to the Lindener's international career. Pollard, the most experienced of the players called to trials, has served Guyana with distinction for many years.
The news of Pollard's axing sent shockwaves through the local football community with many calling in to clarify if they had indeed heard right.
The captain's arm band will be worn by Sean `Bubbley' Beveney. Dos Santos told Stabroek Sport that in his assessment the 31-year-old Pollard was not fit enough and was a bit too slow.
"My assessment is that he is not fit enough to be on the squad. He is a little overweight and not fast enough," Dos Santos said of the sweeper-back who captains North-East Stars in the Trinidad professional league.
"This is the first time that I got a chance to see him play. Technically, he is very good and he is experienced also. I respect what he has done for Guyana before but right now I don't think that he is fit enough," Dos Santos said
Pollard led North-East Stars to the Trinidad 2003 FA title and captained San Juan Jabloteh and Doc's Khelwalaas in the Trinidad pro league.
A source close to the team added that it was better to take a gamble with the younger and faster Orlando Gilgeous or Clevan Slowe.
The Guyana national side take on Barbados tomorrow in Bridgetown in their only international warm-up game before meeting Grenada in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Defending his decision to name Beveney captain, Dos Santos said that the midfielder was a positive leader who did very well as the captain of the Under-23s.
The team to Barbados has an average age of 23 years with the oldest being 28. Seven members are from the Under-23 ranks and five are overseas-based.
"It is a young team with a good blend. We will know who is who after the Barbados game. Practice is one thing, an actual game is another thing," the technical director added.
"I expect a very tough match on Sunday because Barbados have been preparing longer than us. After the game we should know our strengths and weaknesses."
The team to Barbados is: Richard Reynolds, Marlon Hendricks, Orville Bobb, Orlando Gilgeous, Clevan Slowe, Howard Lowe, Walter Moore, Travis Waterton, Sean Beveney, Dirk Archer, Sean Bishop, Neil Hernandez, Kayode McKinnon, Jerome Richardson, Troy Prescod, Gregory Richardson, Cary Harris and Randolph Jerome.
The manager of the team is Lennox Graham with Roy McArthur as his assistant. The coaches are Paul Jones and Leroy Ridley. Robin Phillips is the trainer. The eight players who will combine with the 18 and restart encampment on Tuesday are: Leslie Holligan, Abassy McPherson, Nigel Codring-ton, Devon Millington, Elton Browne, Emrick Williams and Sherwin Cadogan.