By Ras Wadada

THE Georgetown Football Club (GFC) yesterday officially introduced their new Brazilian head coach as well as several new players who will appear for the ‘Bourda Blues’ in the upcoming Elite League’ new season.

General Secretary (GS) and General Manager (GM) of the oldest football club in Guyana (114 years) Faizal Khan, told the Media, ‘We believe this is a historic moment, not only for the club but the Elite League and football clubs throughout Guyana.
“Today we are officially welcoming our new head coach, as we go into a new dawn at club football here in Guyana. Mr Fabiano Agrippino, on behalf of all at GFC, we welcome you sir. Thank you very much for accepting our kind offer. We are honoured to have you join us. Thank you”.
The 42-year-old Agrippino who hails from Sao Paulo is no stranger to the Caribbean, having played for Joe Public and W Connection and coached teams, Ma Pau and Westside Superstars in Trinidad & Tobago. His experience as a player was also garnered in his native homeland, Mexico, Austria and Slovakia.
In his brief comments to the Media, yesterday, the Brazilian thanked God and GFC for the opportunity to share his expertise here in Guyana with the club and the players. He said that his football philosophy consists of many strategies, but “for this first season it will be to compete and develop players. This is a new era and we will work hard to get the results”.
Coach Fabiano also brought with him a compatriot from Sao Paulo, 27-year-old free agent forward Renato, who told the gathering that he was happy to be in Guyana and feels welcome and warm. He promised that he will use his speed and skills to help GFC win the Elite League and other championships.
When quizzed on the eligibility of Renato, the GFC’s GS stated that he was verbally assured by the Rev. Alves, who is head of GFF’s Competitions Committee, that the closure of the transfer window will not affect Renato of being eligible to play since he is a free agent before the transfer window timeframe, based on his documentation.
Also introduced to the Media was former Golden Jaguars, USA-based Kevin Beaton who said he was looking forward to a wonderful season at the club, both on and off the field.
Beaton, who was the first new signing for GFC during the transfer window period in July, promised to give his best and he hopes GFC can finish at the top of the table at the end of the season.
GM Khan also informed the Media that he will be strongly recommending to coach Fabiano that former national forward Vibert ‘Dordee’ Butts be part of the technical staff, starting with the Youth Academy.
Khan acknowledged the presence of the former Pele FC captain at the Press briefing as well as another new signing for the season, 24-year-old Jamal Codrington who is the younger brother of another past outstanding forward Nigel Codrington.
GFC’s Sponsorship and Marketing Manager of the Elite Team, Lisa Ahmad, disclosed that since the acquisition of coach Fabiano at the club two businesses and an individual have verbally committed to sponsorship.
Last season the ‘Bourda Blues’ propped up the 8-team table and this season they are determined to improve on the pitch and bring new Brazilian fans to the League.