Country should always come before club

By Lionel Cann
When I read this week that PHC are asking their players not to train with the national soccer squad because they have a Friendship Trophy semi-final I could not believe it.
I don’t care if it is just one week, how can we be putting domestic games before the World Cup.
Country should always come first. Always.
If we are going to go forward as a country we need to start thinking bigger than our domestic competitions.
Friendship Trophy games shouldn’t even come into the equation when there is a World Cup match around the corner.
It was upsetting to me, coming from an ex-national coach (Kyle Lightbourne).
He must know the commitment it takes to compete at national level.
FA Cups, league titles, don’t mean nothing compared to representing your country.
We need to get out of that mindset and start seeing representing your country as the ultimate, because that is what it is.

Comments

[whatever]

It's pretty selfish deal for PHC. Maybe they want Keith Tucker to fail.

[PHC PLAYER]

Don't let the headline of the article create a false impression on you! The headline reads "Club before country!" With a headline like that it ought to spark a debate. This whole thing is being blown out of proportoin. PHC coaching staff wrote in an official letter to ask the players to be excused from participating in national team practices until March 2nd. The national team currently trains Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. To ask PHC or even Cougars players to train on Mon (Feb 25) after playing on Sunday (Feb 24) and having to play Tuesday (Feb 26) would be wrong. It is critical that players have sufficient rest. On Saturday (Mar 1) you can't expect the players from any team to have a 'full out' training session being that they all play the next day (Mar 2). So really the only training session they would miss is Wednesday (Feb 27). I am sure the PHC players will be present at the training session, and one or two may even be training. Further more even if you counted an X against the players for missing all 3 sessions this week, they will still have a better attendance record then mostly all of the national team players. (except a select few). So lets not create this big debate about PHC publicly stating that their players are going to miss 3 sessions. We should create a debate about why other players arent attending sessions when they have no justification!

[PHC and Bermuda Fan]

Mr Cann, of course country comes first when you are a world class cricket player, and you travel the world, go on all sort of tours for weeks at a time. Of course country comes first when you have played in several Cup Matches, even if you miss a year you are more than likely a shoe in to be selected next year. Yes an easy decision for you…Cup Match occurs every year!!! PHC is a team that has been in relegation battles for the previous two seasons, most of the players on this team winning their first trophy just this season and now have the opportunity to be part of history if they win the triple crown, that doesn’t happen very often. So cup match THIS year might not be a big deal to you, but the Friendship, FA Cup and league are very important to PHC.
I don’t think many people realize that approximately half of PHCs starting lineup and more importantly the entire defence has been involved with the national team. Now if you have attended a PHC training session since the start of the World Cup Campaign you will see some sessions the world cup players attending training but not participating, the same thing Coach Lightbourne has requested to the BFA for this ONE week only, I think it is a fair compromise. He isn’t asking anything from the national team that he hasn’t done with is own team. This decision by coach Lightbourne will not only benefit PHC but the world cup squad as well.
Remember the schedule has been altered a few times to accommodate World Cup games, and warm ups.Asking players from PHC as well as other teams to play 3 games in eight days and train, is a bit much.
When all is said and done, Bermuda will exit the world cup, the national team will stop training for a while …....until about 3 or 4 weeks before BFA announces they have scheduled a game for them, maybe the national team should train all year around like the cricket team so when one week of practice is missed its not that big a deal.

[I agree]

I agree that the football team should be in training all year around rather than thrown together at the last moment before a game. Having said that, why hire Keith Tucker who was fired at Howard University at the beginning of 2007 after several losing seasons? His glory days as a head coach are long gone.
Why hire a head coach before you hire a technical director?
Another series of screw-ups by the BFA.

[True Sports Analyst- The Logical Version]

Greetings my fellow Bermudian sports fanatics, critics, analysts, players, etc...

After spending much time reading the antiquated debates surrounding Coach Lightbourne's request I decided to take a look at the real issue at hand. In any professional sport whether it is basketball, cricket, or football one's professional obligation comes before country.

I refer to the comments made by Mr. Cann who insists that one's country comes before their club. That is a lot easier said than done especially when the Bermuda Cricket team and members were paid at one point and time by this country to perform in a professional cricket tournament. The outcome for Bermuda was unfortunate, but the effort was valiant. Now not negating from the topic at hand, let's look at the request. Is it really that unreasonable? I can recall years ago the much anticipated debate surrounding Shawn Goater and the request made by this country to leave his professional obligations to play for Bermuda in a world cup qualifier. The reasoning behind it was that he had a professional commitment and loyalty to his team- nothing to do with his country pride or responsibility to play for Bermuda. Is it unreal to expect our players to respect this simple request? How were these players selected in the first place? Was it not their club/professional performance that enabled them to be eligble for selection for the national squad? There have been many players who have declined to represent their country because of their professional commitments whether paid or unpaid. To insist that country comes before club is ridiculous! Why do we even have fans or supporters?

Prior to Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea- his professional or CLUB obligations lied with this former club and not his national country Portugal. He has turned down the head coach/manager position several times.

As a realist the likeliness that Bermuda would actually qualify in a world cup qualifier is a bit unreal, especially when you have members of the national squad team and cricket team might I add that cannot travel for whatever reasons. It is an honour to represent one's country but a duty to represent your club.

What I find most interesting is that support of this country is seen through blinders particularly when Bermuda loses. Premier Division games are once in a lifetime opportunities for players who may never have the opportunity to play at an international level. The likeliness of winning at this level is by far more rewarding than losing and not qualifying at an international level. Their hardwork and commitment should not go unrecognized. And Mr. Cann should know what it is like to both lose and win at international and national levels.

[I Want Answers]

"I agree" the BFA are a JOKE! It makes you wonder whether they are setting the players and the country up to fail. I think the BFA need to publicly answer some questions, to assure the country that they aren't setting us up to fail.
#1- What criteria did Keith Tucker meet to obtain the job as national team coach?
It is evident that he isn't a very successful coach! He won the national championship in 1989, 18 long years ago, and was fired from Howard for a run of poor seasons. Since taking over he has won 1 out of 7 internationals.
#2-Why is your national team coach part-time for your most important tournament?
I am pretty confident that Fabio Capello is not working at a hotel for his full time job, and coaching england as part-time!
#3- Why are we planning for World Cup Qualifying campaign 2008, in 2008??? Lets wake up BFA! Everyone knows the world cup is every four years. I can promise you that it will be a world cup in 2014 & 2018 unless the world comes to an end. Therefore you need to PLAN for World Cup Qualifying Campaign 2012 & 2016, in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

[The Truth]

Just something for everyone to think about, because I know the truth and I thought I would share it with you. Wednesday, February 27th, 8 players out of the pool of well over 20 showed up for national team practice. Of the 8 players that showed up, 6 of them actually trained. Out of the 8 people, remarkably there were 3 PHC players!
So really should we be questioning the PHC coaching staff and players for writing to be excused for a week? Or should we be questioning the committment of all the other players?
I'll let you be the judge!

[Three Daggers]

PHC fan, I agree that it's overkill for the national squad to require people to attend training three times a week for the next few weeks while the domestic season is still going on.

A question about Cup Match, you said that country should naturally come first if you've played Cup Match many times already. What if you were selected for your first Cup Match appearance but also drafted into the national team to play overseas that weekend?

[PHC and Bermuda Fan]

Three Daggers, that is a very good question, but I think we all would pick the national team of course. In my statement I never used the words should or naturally, but when the decision arises to play an actual game for your country yes, we can agree that country should naturally come first. Perhaps in my statement I should have been a bit more specific. In the first part of my post, I was not arguing that one’s club comes before country. I was merely comparing the EASE in which Mr. Cann personally based his decision to miss The Annual Cup Match Classic to attend a 20/20 tournament versus Coach Lightbourne’s request for his players not to train with the national squad.

In Wednesday’s edition of the Bermuda Sun Mr. Cann speaks about the decision for cricketers between 20/20 and Cup Match as quoted on the back page:- “It’s a dilemma that all Bermuda’s top players are going to face.” Then on page 46 he states:- “Friendship Trophy games shouldn’t even come into the equation.” How is it a dilemma for the cricket players but for football it “shouldn’t come into the equation?” I‘ll admit the friendship Trophy may not be big a deal as Cup Match, but to the football community it is pretty important.

Mr. Cann also says “Bermuda should come first, Cup Match will be around forever” Well, I say the world cup will be back in 4 years, but the possibility of a PHC triple crown…….who knows the next time that will happen. I have no problem with Mr Cann’s decision to decline a cup match appearance. I would probably do the same thing. My point is, that he is an accomplished cricketer and the ease of deciding to represent one’s country comes naturally compared to the decision to take part in 2 maybe 3 training sessions.

So when it comes to official games Country vs Club ......Country Absolutely.
Country training vs Club training....with the possibility of your club winning trophies, I think it is safe to say we can be excused for our club obligations for at least one week. I was just hoping Mr. Can and the entire community would be more understanding about the position that PHC is in.

[Saleem Mukuddem]

Interesting comments above. I would like to add a comment as it relates to football. Roy Keane of Manchester United turned his back on his country whilst at the World Cup and wnt home. Nobody can dispute that he loves football and that he is a passionate and fierce competitor. Even at times accusing his own team mates of "eating prawn sandwhiches". If you read his autobiography he talks about the "Amateurish" mentality of the Irish national squad at that world cup. Management, preperation etc. At Man United he was use to getting the best support so that he can go out and deliver his best week in and week out. Maybe, just maybe players will choose club over country because at the club level they get better support, get treated better, have better facilities/preparation (maybe not the case in Bermuda) and are appreciated. We should all agree to disagree that some players will exercise their rights to either chose club or country. Their is no right or wrong choice. Every action (even the lack of action) as a consequence.

[sparxx]

This question is one that clubs all around the world have fought with, at every level. The reality IMHO is a simple one. If you are good enough to be selected to represent your country, and you accept and want to be playing for your country then that should and always will be the number one priority. There is no club commitment that comes before country representation.

If you play for a club and that club is a member of the NGB (National Governing Body) then the club has an obligation to that NGB to support it in any way shape or form. If their player wants to play for the National team then the club MUST allow that player to play, train and take part in all preparations required by the national team.

There is nothing related to the sport... no domestic competition, no club commitment or the like that should stand in the players way. Thus if the player plays on a Sunday in a cup final and has to train on a Monday for the national team... so be it. He has accepted that commitment and must live up to it's demands. If the player can not meet that commitment for whatever reason, personal or professional, then it is his duty to respectfully decline the offer.

As for the direction of the NGB's, it is easy for people to be critical. The facts remain that there has to be a case to be made that representing your country in any form must be seen as a PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT. This commitment must be met by the NGB's by working with all aspects of the community to ensure that all parties chosen, will be given their due PROFESSIONAL courtesies. Players and representatives should have the full backing of everyone connected to them, employers, churches, families and most importantly...clubs!

The chance to play at the HIGHEST level of your chosen sport and wear your flag is an honour and should never be taken lightly. Anyone who fails to meet the commitment, within the required rules, (i.e. doctor's notification or the like) even once should be dismissed, and not allowed to ever be chosen again.

it is .... that serious!

[True Sports Analyst- The Logical Version II]

Greetings Sparxx,

As Saleem Mukkadem rightly stated let's agree to disagree. As stated in my previous blog, I noted that it is an honour to represent one's country. You have rightly informed us that only upon the acceptance or agreement to play at an international level that one's country should be the player's number one priority.

I would like to advise you that in any premiership football league the CLUB owns the right to decide whether a player can or cannot be released from his or her contractual obligation and PROFESSIONAL commitment to their team. The NGB here in Bermuda is our local BFA. Who might I add has made numerous attempts to campaign for Bermuda in a World Cup Qualifier for the year 2008 in 2008 (2 months and counting). When it comes to cricket the management and organization is seemingly well-put together. Players are selected, they train and the latter is up to the team in their performance.

Now speaking from my own professional experience and I use the term professional loosely- I had an opportunity to train with the Women's Bermuda National Football team and was quite excited about the opportunity to play for my country. A schedule was prepared and doing the best to represent my country I attended every practise as scheduled only to be ousted at the very last minute, by a substitute goalie who decided that she could not play in a CONCACAF game (Bahamas v Bermuda) one Sunday (Easter Sunday I might add) and in turn decided the following Sunday to represent her club team in the FA Cup Women's final. Where was the # 1 priorty there?

When I contemplate the sentiments you have offered the request by Coach Lightbourne was for the team to be excused from a National Squad training not training in its entirety. PHC Players may have been excused but would still be in training mode as the intention was to prepare them for the Friendship final coming up.

Unfortunately, here in Bermuda and in my personal experience I have never signed a contract outlining my responsibilities to a national team- an affadavit perhaps to state that I have been selected to represent my country and in turn a release letter to present to my employer excusing me from work to travel.

In closing, IMHO I think it is unfair to assume that the country's representation is more imporant than club or for lack of a better term that club obligatons are less meaningful than one's country obligation. They go hand in had. You are a star whether you play for your country or whether you play for your club. Playing for club provides the platform for one to be selected at the highest level.

[PHC and Bermuda Fan]

Sparxx, I think that is a bit harsh, this has nothing to do with the players PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT, as you can read from previous comments on this blog the PHC players are some of the most committed on the national team.

Football is a very physically demanding game. Can you honestly tell me that if you commit to the Bermuda National Football team, have full training on Saturday, a grueling and closely contested game on Sunday (PHC vs Colts), go to work Monday morning, another full training session Monday evening, work Tuesday, and then play 90 mins or possibly 120 mins as Zebras and Cougars did this past Tuesday, train again on Wednesday after work you would be at your absolute best every time?

Would you train for the national team this past Monday, and risk getting an injury during training and miss Tuesday's cup game? Maybe play your cup game Tuesday while fatigued……again risking injury? A lot of sports injuries occur when the body is tired and not rested well enough.
Or would you disregard your club and skip your Cup Game so you could train with the national team? All Coach Lightbourne is trying to do is keep players healthy, for PHC and the National team. Remember without the domestic game there would be no national team.
Its not like he is saying Boycott Keith Tucker and the national team, all he wants is to give the players a bit of rest and recovery so they are at their best for club and country.

[sparxx]

It seems that my comments have been taken to heart here and that in itself is probably why we are in the position we are in.

To develop a national program successfully takes more than just a desire to play for the national team. There has to be a PROFESSIONAL commitment from all who are involved, from the trainers and coaches to the administrative sections who coordinate everything from funding to making sure that the laundry bills are paid. There is a serious FINANCIAL obligation to a National team, more than at club level, because the clubs can be privatised and funding is nowhere near the problem it is for those at a NATIONAL level.

Football, is still an AMATEUR sport here and as such it takes even MORE to produce a NATIONAL program that is capable of being competitive, simply because players are not (at least the majority aren't) being paid. Commitment from the players will always be an issue, simply because there will always be more important and personal obligations that should be met first and foremost.

Ultimately, the answer to club v country is answered when a player says yes or no. There is no obligation here. Players are NOT forced to train with their clubs, and are NOT forced to accept a national team spot. If the spot is accepted, then the commitment MUST change. YES, it does become a PROFESSIONAL commitment, because the development leads to travel and as such takes the player away from his normal day to day profession.

In other countries, the professional contract is more binding. Still, how many players decline a national team spot because they may have an extremely rough domestic schedule? Clubs have every right to try and withhold players, simply because it is their MONEY (and not small change either) at stake.

That is NOT the case here. If a local player has a commitment outside the game, whether it be personal or professional, the coach can not EVER claim that his club is more important than the players lifestyle. Thus if the player should happen to fall off a ladder while painting and breaks his arm, all we can say is... too bad.

So now we think that is unrealistic for a National program to ask for a player to commit to their team? To commit to a team of the highest level in our country? Does the national team coach moan over domestic schedules and how clubs are training their players? Should a player who works a night job be given the night off before a big game just so he won't be tired at the game? I don't think so.

I'm sorry, but club should ALWAYS be secondary to country... in ANY sport in Bermuda, simply because there is never an opportunity to compete at that level anywhere else. All clubs should be able to deal with a few players training with the national squad instead of with their squads (even if it means the player skips CLUB training to rest).

For any LOCAL club to demand that their player be excused from a National team training session simply because the player might be too tired is inexcuable.

Like I said... If you don't want to be on the national team... just say no.

Last but not least, there will always be question marks over commitments, coaching selections and any other order of business. That is always the case. Coaches are human and do what they feel is right. As a coach, it kills me when I have to choose one player over another, especially if the player who has not been selected has done everything right. Sometimes it's a matter of what's in the best interest of the team, and what's right in that moment. It goes with life. The answer is to stay committed and keep going.

[True Sports Analyst- Sarine Babb]

Greetings Once Again Sparxx,

To implicitly imply that is why “we” are in the current position we are in is a bit insensitive and drastic. I agree that in order for Bermuda to be a fierce contender in all levels of competition the PROFESSIONAL commitment must be there. However, I will say this:- most sports in Bermuda, particularly football will always lack the professionalism needed because of the amateurish mentality that individual sportsmen or players harbor and/or the lack thereof provided by governing institutions.

As for clarity- a binding contract is one in which a verbal or written consensus was established with the intention to make good (legal) on one’s word or the accountability of whether a player actually shows up for training. Unfortunately, because we do not stipulate that a player has the right to choose country over club or vice versa upon acceptance of his/her role to their national country we cannot bind them and that in itself is why we are also in the position we are in.

I am not necessarily certain that the comments posted questioned whether or not the commitment of our players was there but, the request in itself to be excused. To offer transparency as I thought it to be:- the request submitted was to ask permission for certain players to be excused from a national squad training session not from attendance. Furthermore, the answer could have been yes or no as you have stated numerous times. Why do we have a governing body if they do not enforce the necessary sanctions for players? Now, if the players choose to train or not train that is their prerogative.

There is a misconception in the mindset of this country in what we qualify to be professional. The importance of football here in Bermuda should be taken seriously, but the reality of it is that our current governing body do not foster IMHO, or implement a proper schedule to accommodate the average working professional, abide by their own standards (in regards to domestic games) and the expectation for our players to make an outstanding performance is unreal. Also, let’s not take what is being said out of context- you have indicated that a coach can never claim that his/her club is more important. I don’t think that was ever in question.

Let’s take a look at countries like Brasil the origin of football- most if not the majority of its players play for the love of the sport (UNPAID might I add), hoping that the opportunities football provides gives them a new life. I am not sure if you have ever watched Joga Bonita (a Brasilian documentary translated into Play Beautiful) but this film focuses on the pride in which these players have for simply playing football despite their lifestyles, conditions, etc. There are some players who wear their country pride each day when representing their club team. This is evident when you see interviews headlining players such as Cristiano Ronaldo- the Portugal Wiz Kid or KaKa who was criticized because of his wealth and not the fact that he could actually play football. The recognition of club again IMHO is the quintessential reason “we” and I mean fans, sports commentators and sporting community distinguish who we route for or where our loyalties lie because of the individual and the country he/she comes from. Hence, most Bermudians support Brasil, yet when our own Shawn Goater played for Manchester City not many Bermudians supported his club team, but having traveled to England on several occassions and asked where I was from any English person could identify with two of Bermuda's most notable players- Shawn Goater & Clyde Best. Yet, we critisize them for not contributing as much to their country side. Should that even be questioned? They are Bermudian through and through. And that recognition should suffice.

Lastly, I will conclude by saying the world cup is just another platform that enables the world’s best to compete against each other, instead of playing along side one another. Some countries never make it while others (the underdogs) upset the vast majority. Until Bermuda and the BFA come to an agreement to qualify the standard level of play and football here in Bermuda than perhaps we can consider where our players/coaches loyalties lie. Until then we are too busy disputing petty issues such as these which stagger our progression and keep Bermuda in the stagnant position it remains.