Adrian Frater, News Editor

Paul 'Tegat' Davis ... I intend to make a difference. - File

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE ON-again, off-again love affair between Digicel Premier League (DPL) outfit Village United and former national striker Paul 'Tegat' Davis, who severed ties with the club in August, is on again.

Davis, who was recently linked with DPL contenders Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse, returned to the Trelawny team last week, replacing Dr Dean Weatherley, the man who had replaced him after he parted company with Village on the eve of the season.

"I needed a job and Village United needed a coach so we worked out an arrangement and here I am back with Village," said Davis, Jamaica's all-time leading goalscorer with 33 goals. "Interestingly, I asked for and got what I had asked for in August," he said.

In an interview with The Gleaner in August, Davis rubbished claims by persons close to Village United that he parted company with the club because his demand for a car and a $75,000-a-month salary was not met.

Transportation

"Last year I was paid $70,000 per month and got no other allowance despite using my personal car to travel from my home in Montego Bay to Falmouth every day," Davis told The Gleaner then. "This year I offered them the option of either providing me with transportation or giving me a $15,000 raise towards fuel costs and they said no."

However, when The Gleaner spoke to Davis yesterday, he said he has been welcomed with open arms by both management and players and was now looking to recapture the magic which saw him take the team on an eight-game unbeaten streak to avoid relegation in the 2007-08 DPL season.

"It is all good and I am really looking forward to improving the fitness level of the team, restoring confidence and hopefully getting a win against Harbour View in my first game back," said Davis. "I like the fact that the community is fully behind me with its support."

As he did when he parted company with Village three months ago, Davis again blasted local coaches who allow themselves to be treated like non-entities by clubs who want their services for token returns.

"Coaching is a full-time job so coaches should be paid properly for their service," said Davis, who has had previous coaching ties with Seba United and former DPL outfit Upsetters FC. "When some coaches accept a pittance, it makes it hard for a serious coach to demand a decent salary," he said.

Village United finished the first round of the DPL in ninth place after winning three games, drawing three and losing four of their 11 games. They scored 12 goals and conceded 18.

"I just want to get the players back to the pre-season level where I had them and I can promise you that this team will be making an impact," said Davis. "I intend to make a difference."