Scholars International are the early season leaders of the Premier League so far with champions Elite closely breathing down their necks.
One reason for Scholars’ initial success is that Tom Elliot has joined the West Bay side after 10 devoted years with Sunset who play in the First Division. Elliot’s career has been blighted by injury in recent years but he has bounced back and is leading the Scholars charge to regain the Premier League title they won two years ago but relinquished to an excellent Elite last term.
On paper, Scholars International have the strongest squad of the eight teams in the top flight. Packed with national team players and talented youngsters, coaches Dougie Rowe and Mario Watler could arguably field two sides of similar strength.
“I left Sunset because I didn’t want to be playing in the ‘B’ League anymore,” said Elliot, an IT administrator. “I’ve still gots lots of mates there but playing in the First Division didn’t appeal.
“It wasn’t very well organised and not many people turned up for matches. Lights would keep going out and the schedule wasn’t very straight forward. I just didn’t enjoy it. It was good for me to get back after a couple of years of injuries so it was a chance to take it a little bit easier.”
The central defender is a former Cayman Islands national team captain. He hopes one day to play internationals again. “I’m only 32 and feel I still have a few years left in the Premier League. Scholars came to me. I know a couple of players and coach Dougie invited me to join. He said he was going to get Carson Fagan back and also Nahun Rodriguez so I decided to join, especially as they are based near to where I live in West Bay.”
Elliot would like to see Fagan back in the national set up along with some other players who he feels technical director Carl Brown is overlooking. “The players I think should be on the national team include Carson, Davey McLaughlin, Garth Anderson definitely, Justin Pierre, Abijah Rivers… there’s a countless number of other players I think should be involved, but those are the ones that come to my mind just from watching them play this season.
“Carson is as young as some of the fellas on the national team. I believe he’s the same age as Ian Lindo, the captain and Carson was CIFA’s player of the year last season, narrowly missing the golden boot trophy – whilst playing for East End, a team that got relegated!
“If you know him, you’ll realise he’s a bit eccentric, but he’s been a part of the national team for 15-plus years and will be a part of it again, I’m sure. For a team that’s scored only one goal in 360 minutes of play – a penalty – and lacks size and strength up front, you’d think he’d be an easy selection. And unlike some of the players on the island, he actually wants to play for the team. I’d like to hear Carl’s reasoning for not picking him.
“If I ever got a call up I wouldn’t say no. I’m not delusional. Carl Brown hasn’t spoken to me in three years so under the current regime it may not happen, so we’ll just see.
“I know Scholars can maintain this form but the question is will we be able to win our big games against Elite and George Town, especially later on in the season when injuries, suspensions and people being on holiday start to kick in? In the past, when I’ve watched the Premier League, it’s a case of the teams that start well seem to have pretty much had it won just after Christmas. A couple of seasons ago Elite had it won with games and games to spare. I don’t think it’s going to be that way this year.
“Bodden Town could be a threat too. They brought youngsters into the team a couple of years ago and were getting beaten but they’re coming up now. I played Academy in the summer and they are capable. Cayman Athletic too, have come up to the Premier and they could be good in a couple of seasons. Youth policy is evidently paying off.
“The league is only a few games into the season so anything can happen, nothing’s decided. It’s just nice to be winning games.”
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