John, Hall gone!

The executive of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation has to look for a new Technical Director /Head Coach.

This, after Englishman Stewart John Hall quit the post following Vincy Heat’s 7-1 defeat on aggregate against Canada, which ended their sojourn in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.{{more}}

The senior national team, Vincy Heat returned last Sunday morning, minus Hall.

At a press briefing on the team’s arrival from Canada, at the VIP Lounge of the ET Joshua Airport, President of the federation Joseph Delves, disclosed that Hall had tendered his resignation on certain grounds.

According to Delves, Hall complained of the lateness in being paid. Delves acknowledged that the federation was late in the payment, with the latest back payment being made on June 13. Delves, when pressed, finally disclosed that Hall earned US $6,600 per month in addition to accommodation and other perks. Another area of Hall’s concerns was his salary being taxed.

On this, Delves claimed that advances were made to central government to have Hall’s salary be tax exempt, but the bureaucracy in the process was not expedient, hence Hall’s frustrations.

Delves also sated that Hall complained of Vincentians being too “unrealistic”, about results of the team.

Hall, according to Delves, cited the unavailability of proper training facilities as well as the lack of a vibrant social life of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as adding to his woes.

Delves stated that the process of finding a replacement for Hall is already in train.

“We are looking for a blend of Technical Director and Head Coach”, Delves said.

Hall brought with him a library of certification, and on taking up the post at the end of January, said that working with challenges was nothing new to him and he welcomed the opportunity to work in countries like St. Vincent and the Grenadines with limited resources.

Hall replaced Serbia Montenegro born Vranes, whose three year tenure ended last October.

Hall followed the growing list of foreign hired Technical Directors and Head Coaches. Prior to Vranes’ entry in 2004, the English pair of Technical Director Cess Podd and Head Coach Adrian Shaw, held the posts for one year.

Brazilian Jorge Ramos set the trail in 1992 and was followed by Jamaican/ American Lenny Taylor in 1995, then Trinidadian Bertille St. Clair in 1996.

Jim Conway, another of British descent had a six month stint in 1999. Taylor had a second stint in 2000. Hall, however, carries with him the indignity of not taking the team to the group stages of the CONCACAF Zone.

It is also the end of the road for manager Roxell John, who told SEARCHLIGHT that family commitments and a lack of appreciation for his efforts by some members of the SVGFF executive, influenced his decision to call it a day with the national senior team. John has been in the position since 2004.

And, stalwart defender Cornelius Huggins also made known that the Canadian outing was the last time he would wear the senior team uniform in an international football match.

Tersely, Huggins said, “I have had enough, I done with that”. Rated as one of the best defenders in the region, Huggins started representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the senior level in 1995.

Other players who are expected to call it a day are veteran striker Alwyn Guy and long standing goal keeper Melvin Andrews.

Midfielder Kendall Velox, who came out of retirement for the qualifiers had indicated that after the sojourn, he would permanently retire from national representation.(RT)