Vincy Heat gets home warming in Missouri

It was like a home away from home last Friday, for the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior men’s football team — Vincy Heat — at the Busch Stadium, St Louis, Missouri.{{more}}

A few hundred Vincentians journeyed to the venue, just to see their fellow men in action against those of their adopted homeland.

Reports are that some came from neighbouring states, whilst others travelled more than 15 hours from New York, others came from Canada, while others flew over from England.

For most of the players, it was the first time setting foot on the US mainland, as well as their debut playing in front of over 43,000 patrons, who were, as expected, a partisan American crowd.

And, despite going down to the host 6-1, manager of the team Othneil Douglas told SEARCHLIGHT that the support meant a lot to the players.

“It was a great boost for the players, even after the match and despite the loss, the players’ morale was lifted by the positive words given to them,” Douglas commented.

Meanwhile, Kenley John who lives in Baltimore said: “Just getting to the game and seeing the guys on the field was a special moment…Then words cannot explain after when we scored.

“After the game, I was able to get close to the players and I must tell you our nation’s soccer future looks great… I did not realize that these kids were so young; they were not only young, but a very competent bunch…. The last time I remembered a team this young appearing in any World Cup qualifier was the 1990 Nigerian squad… Today, Nigeria is a force in every final,” John commented.

More warmth would be coming in a tangible way to the players with the establishment of a GofundMe account.

Reports are that money donated to the ongoing fund will be used to assist the players for the rest of the World Cup sojourn. The fund was established through the initiative of Kenley John, James Cordice, Joanne Legair and other persons who were on the bus ride from New York to Missouri.

Through the move, the sum of US $1,110 was collected on the return journey, with another $1,250 being pledged.

The money will be hand delivered to the players next week.(RT)