KC begin a new football era with veteran coach Reynolds

Following the recent departure of coach Raymond Watson, perennial contenders Kingston College wasted little time in finding a replacement and experienced tactician Vassel Reynolds was announced yesterday as the institution’s new football technical director and head coach.

The former Hydel High, Wolmer’s Boys and Rusea’s High coach will be looking to draw on every bit of his more than 30 years of experience to get back the famed purples to winning ways, following their last Manning Cup title two seasons ago.

“I am prepared for this, I have always said that you have to be brave as a coach and come out of your comfort zone. It is the only way to truly assess yourself as a coach and how much you would have grown over the years. My experience coaching within some challenging programmes would have prepared me for this and I am up for the challenge,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds will have former St Jago High, Haile Selassie High and Jamaica College assistant coach Jermaine Miller as his assistant, with the duo tasked with preparing the team for what is expected to be another tough schoolboy football season, with Kingston College drawn in Group ‘A’ with former champions Charlie Smith High, Hydel, Penwood High, Calabar High and Camperdown High.

“Part of my plan as head of the technical team is to build a programme where we will have success in the future and not just immediately. I will call this a new era and a rebuilding phase, and I know KC are always expected to do well regardless. And that is our aim, every time we hit the pitch we want to be ahead of things,” added Reynolds.

Reynolds is set to have a look at his new team against the National Under-15 team in a practice game next week, with KC also set to play a number of other practice matches.

They are expected to participate in the upcoming STETHS Cup later in July, along with Gibson Cup against Glenmuir on July 29, the David ‘Wagga’ Hunt Classic in August and the annual Roper Cup against St George’s College.

Principal of Kingston College, Dave Myrie, was pleased that the North Street-based institution was able to land someone with the experience and expertise as Reynolds, and he is keen not to put too much pressure on the veteran to deliver silverware right away.

“Yes, KC loves to win and I love to win and there is no question about that. But, for me, as long as the youngsters go on the pitch and do their best, you can’t ask for anything more than that. But one thing I will say, anybody who rules out KC, does so to their own peril or detriment.”

The Kingston College coaching staff for the new season will see Casbert Waisome joining as a strength and conditioning coach, along with Robert Beckford as the goalkeeping coach.

The management will also have some new faces with Albert Anderson joining the formidable team along with veteran KC legend Howard ‘Juicie’ Bell coming on board to support the team.