Calamitous times for Patrick - Veteran coach loses St Catherine High role weeks after parting with Racing United

Veteran local coach Anthony Patrick says he is no longer the head coach of St Catherine High School after he was given marching orders by the institution last Wednesday.  

Patrick, who has been at St Catherine since 2016, said he received a letter from the school advising that his services were no longer needed at the John’s Road-based institution. 

“I got a letter on Wednesday saying that thanks for my service and that they are moving on to someone else,” said Patrick.

“I am not surprised by this because, for the last couple of years, I have not signed a contract at the school and then Nigel Walker, who is manager of the team, recently stepped down from his post and so I wasn’t really taken aback that they have made this decision.” 

Patrick has had an impressive stint at St Catherine, leading the school to three Walker Cup Knockout titles in 2019, 2021, and 2025. He also guided the school to the Manning Cup final in 2024 where they were beaten 3-1 by Kingston College.

Patrick highlighted that he was very pleased with his accomplishments at the school. 

“I have left my mark there because I have been there from 2016 and I have always been to the second round and I have taken them to a Manning Cup final,” he said.

“I have won three Walker Cup Knockout titles and so I think I have done well there. I am very pleased with my work there.”

Patrick also expressed mixed emotions over his sudden departure from the institution. 

“As a coach and when you look back at the work that you have done over the years at this school, you must feel a way about leaving,” he said. 

“But, definitely, that is part of life and that is how the football goes and you just have to move on. I have no bad blood against anyone at the school and I wish them all the best in the future,” he stated. 

Patrick’s departure from St Catherine High School comes on the heels of being removed from his post as head coach of Jamaica Premier League outfit, Racing United, last week. 

He was in charge of Racing United since 2017, where he led them from the St Catherine Divisional Two right up to the Premier League competition. 

Patrick pointed out that he has left St Catherine High’s football programme in good hands because there are a lot of talented young players in their squad. 

“I have left a good programme there because a lot of youngsters will be there,” he said.

“They will have a very good backline and these are all youngsters because I started to blood them from 2023 to 2024. I started to give them some games when they were 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, and so they will be there this season and I expect them to play a significant role in the team. But I think offensive thrust is where the team will be short,” Patrick stated.