Joe Public FC and the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup

To Whom It May Concern:

Over the last week, I have been reading several articles by locally renowned sport journalists as it pertains to Joe Public FC and its apparent unsupportive stance with participation with the 2007 Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup. There were many wrong assumptions made in this regard, and it would be remiss of me, to not correct all relevant persons associated and interested in this matter. For ease of reference, I am listing them in bullet format.

 

(1) The decision for our players to not participate in the recently concluded Shaka Hislop Tribute was my decision and not that of Mr. Jack Warner or any other director of Joe Public Football Club.  It is also informative to note that Mr. Jack Warner is not involved with Joe Public FC in any manner apart from being the founder of the club along with my elder brother, Mr. Daryan Warner.  The day-to-day functions associated with Joe Public FC are managed from my office.

 

(2) The Pro League's request for Joe Public players came from an unofficial telephone call (3-4 days prior to the event) from the coach of the TT Pro League Foreign all star team.  No official correspondence came to Joe Public FC's office in a timely manner nor did anyone from the Pro League office contact Joe Public FC directly as is customary.  Apart from the telephone call from the coach and the newspapers, Joe Public FC office was not aware that any players from our club would have been requested for this tournament.

 

(3) Upon receiving an unofficial telephone call, I wrote the Pro league office expressing my displeasure with same and asked the Pro League office of the insurance coverage for players in this tournament since my insurance company would not cover my players for this tournament as it was not disclosed to them in Feb 2007 when I renewed my insurance policy for players/members of my club.  I got no response to my request for information on insurance coverage for players in this tournament nor did I get responses for other pertinent questions that my office asked the Pro league office.

 

(4) I also instructed the Pro League office that the sought after players would be unavailable due to injuries and two of them going on trials and that I can substitute the requested players with other players from Joe Public's ranks.  This was not even considered and I was told very bluntly "No, we want the players we requested and no-one else." 

 

In closing, I want to remind the renowned sport journalists, Mr. Dexter Skeene and Mr. Larry Romany of the TT Pro League, other TT Pro League officials, and your avid followers that Joe Public Company is a privately owned entity and the Pro League office cannot instruct Joe Public FC in any aspect of its affairs.  The decision to not have any of my players participate in the recently concluded Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup was taken SOLELY by Mr. Daryll Warner and had nothing to do with Mr. Michael McComie, Mr. Jack Warner or any other director of the club (Warner family member or not).  Based on points 1-4 along with other circumstances, Joe Public FC was unable to accommodate the league's request for the release of certain Joe Public FC players.  Notwithstanding, the Shaka Hislop Tribute got the services of one of my employees, Mr. Michael Williams, and he assisted with the technical aspects of the tournament.

 

Keep writing my sport journalists but next time feel free to contact my office to clarify any Joe Public FC related matters that you may be unaware of.  I do hope that some players do get an opportunity to visit FC Dallas in Dallas, Texas.  I just came back from Dallas, Texas last Sunday and it is a lovely city with a great sporting pedigree.  The onus lies with the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League office to ensure that this is a reality and that the 2007 Shaka Hislop Tribute was no more than a highly advertised fete match.  On another note, congrats to Mr. Shaka Hislop with his recent retirement from a successful sporting career and I do wish him well in his future endeavors.

 

Regards,

 

Daryll Warner

Managing Director

Joe Public Football Club