… accuses the Matthias administration of being clueless about systematic development

IN A REGULAR Sunday afternoon gaff among football enthusiasts about who are some of the country’s best players from yesteryear to present day, one name will certainly be mentioned and the stories of his tenacious defending and mindboggling ability to read the game of football will make its rounds. Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard will go down in history as one of Guyana’s most feared defender, but more importantly, he’ll be remembered as the National captain who has been an advocate for development and has always spoken out against any form of injustice in the sport of football.
Pollard has played a part in every history-making moment in Guyana’s football, so now that things are at its worst, it is no surprise that he will have his say and the defender who now coaches Slingerz certainly hasn’t hold his tongue in chastising the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for its failed system.
Guyana recently wrapped up their most embarrassing performance at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup, failing to score a single goal and get out of the group stage for the first time in over 20 years and Pollard didn’t hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction in his letter.
“My passion, the game I have fought long and hard for its betterment in my country – Football. I have devoted 17 years (1996-2013) of my football career to the National Programme and I have seen it all. Today, it’s clear to see that the current leadership of the GFF doesn’t have a clue about the way forward for Guyana’s football.”
The former Golden Jaguars member added, “It is extremely saddening that things we, as players – Kayode McKinnon, Howard Lowe, Richard Reynolds, Gregory Richardson, Collie Hercules, Christopher Nurse, and the numerous other players that I have not mentioned – have fought for over the years have been disregarded and thrown out the window. No matter what sport you play, the principles that make a successful team are universal. They are strong foundation, development and preparation. The current leadership of the GFF lacks the philosophical view of these three components; to drive the organisation forward and transcend expectations.”
Having spent most of his years in the sport representing Guyana, Pollard knows more than a ‘thing or two’ about what it takes to develop a team and ways and means of blending the ‘old with the new’ and pointed out: “How can we compile a National Team in two weeks with 99% youths (not coming from any National Development Programme) and expect success? However, I commend each one of these players for his efforts under the circumstances,”
“But GFF, let’s be real, the key part of a successful National Programme is building a strong foundation and it is the area that the GFF has pushed aside. The future of the National Programme lies within our youths and one can only expect long-term success by developing strength in its foundation. It is important in the transitioning phase to have a good blend of players to allow the experienced players to pass on their knowledge before their exit out of the National Programme; it’s clear the GFF doesn’t share that view.”
President of the GFF, Christopher Matthias, perceived to be a “do-as-I-say” head and according to Pollard, “I have learnt in life when someone doesn’t know something you cannot get annoyed with them. However, I cannot stand by and say nothing. We need to acquire the services of football-oriented personnel to run the affairs of football in Guyana – personnel that will build a strong foundation, and put proper structures in place for continued development and success of football. For too many years football has been played in the office and not on the field. The game of football is a doing thing and not a talking thing.”
“In this world there are three types of people (1) People that make things happen (2) People that don’t make things happen (3) People that destroy things when things happen.
“The GFF had an opportunity to maximise on the hype from the Golden Jaguars quest for qualification in the recently concluded 2014 World Cup. However, they let it disintegrate, so it is clear to me that the GFF is one of the people that destroys things when things happen,” Pollard said.
Though no recommendations were named, Pollard was eager to state “a drastic change is needed in football in my beloved country of Guyana – one which I hope comes soon for the benefit of the sport I love.”