Tap dance
Mount Pleasant sack Thomas; rehire Whitmore in dramatic about-turn
Former Jamaica Reggae Boyz Head Coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore has been reappointed as head coach of Mount Pleasant Academy following the sudden dismissal of Harold Thomas.
The St Ann-based club said in a press release on Friday that Whitmore has been entrusted with building a technical team that will ensure Mount Pleasant continue to compete at the highest level.
The club added that owner Peter Gould is apologising to Mount Pleasant fans for the decisions that were taken during the summer that adversely affected the performance of the team.
“We are committed to returning the club to its high standard of professionalism and look forward to the days ahead,” the club stated.
Thomas, who replaced Whitmore after his contract was not renewed by the management, saw his tenure last just one game — a 0-2 loss to Cavalier SC in the all-Jamaica Concacaf Caribbean Cup match at Sabina Park on August 20.
Mount Pleasant are scheduled to face Arnett Gardens in their second match in the Caribbean Cup on Tuesday.
According to Paul Christie, sporting director at Mount Pleasant, the match is a do-or-die game for his team.
“We are aware that, based on the result against Cavalier, we are behind the eight ball and we just have to regroup and understand the project that is in front of us,” he noted.
“It has now become a do-or-die match for us because if you win, you get an extended life and if you lose, then that is it for you for the Caribbean Cup — and we are aware of that,” Christie said.
The veteran sports administrator pointed out that Tuesday’s match against Arnett will not be an easy task because the latter have been playing good football in recent times, which was evident when they won the Caribbean Club Shield earlier this month.
“It is going to be a tough match because Arnett is in good form and they have just won the Caribbean Shield and they have a lot of games under their belt, so they are in good match sharpness and their confidence is very high at this point,” Christie said.
“We just have to try and compete with this Arnett team, but we have to improve in all departments to have a chance of beating this Arnett team and so we are aware of that going into this match.”
Christie said players are very aware that last Tuesday’s defeat against Cavalier was not acceptable and so they are very committed to giving it their all against Arnett next Tuesday.
“Players have accepted that their performance against Cavalier was not good enough at this level and if you show up like that you will get kicked in the mount and that’s exactly what Cavalier did to us. We just have to focus on this Arnett team and do the best that we can and prepare for all eventualities and hope for a good result after that,” he said.