Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
ALEX THOMAS
FORMER NATIONAL Premier League champions Harbour View appear to have gone some way in solving the problem of losing a number of key players with the impending signing of midfielders Keith Kelly, Locksley Thomas and defender Alex Thomas, all from Arnett Gardens.
The East Kingston team was left with a hole in the side with the departure of central defender Damion Stewart (Bradford City, England), Robert Scarlett (Real Salt Lake, United States), Jermaine Hue (Kansas City Wizards, U.S.) and possibly Luton Shelton to Burnley in England.
Yesterday, Arnett Gardens president Patrick Roberts confirmed his club was willing to allow Kelly and Alex Thomas to move to Harbour View on loan.
"We got a letter from Harbour View indicating they had an interest in both players. We responded by saying that we have no problem with the players representing them this season on loan," Roberts explained.
Both players, Roberts said, would have been an important part of the club's plans for this season but he would not stand in the way of the advancement of their careers.
'It (allowing them to leave) is a decision that one would not want to have to make but the careers of the players are paramount," he said.
"Their careers are above our personal feelings. If they say they want to experience another environment you have to give them that opportunity. Maybe after that they will come to an appreciation of what we have done," he continued.
For Kelly, it would be a return to the where he spent three years from 1997-2000 before he headed off to France with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Arnett Gardens in 2003.
Alex Thomas was previously attached to Mona FC while Loksley Thomas represented Portmore United before hooking up with Arnett Gardens.
According to Harbour View team manager, Vin Blaine, his club is satisfied with the deal for the players.
LOOKING GOOD
"It is looking very good. We do not have a problem with what they have proposed. What we want are the services of the players," said Blaine, who added that the agreement should be signed by the end of the week.
"Locksley Thomas is also training with us and is really looking good," he said. "We have sent a letter to Arnett Gardens regarding him but we have not had a response yet. Maybe it is because the request for him went off a little late but we do not foresee a problem."
"It is very important that we sign these players as what we are looking to cover are the areas from which we have lost players that is forward, midfield and defence."
The pair of Kelly and Alex Thomas have not played football for a little while, according to Blaine, and are "carrying a little extra weight so they are doing some extra work with us."
Blaine added that Kelly and Thomas will travel with the Harbour View team to the US for their friendly on August 24 against U.S. Major League soccer team Real Salt Lake.
