Melissa makes Reynolds’ Harbour View appointment ‘bittersweet’

NEWLY APPOINTED head coach of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) strugglers Harbour View FC, Vassell Reynolds, has described his appointment as “bittersweet”, noting that his personal joy comes amid the country’s ongoing recovery from the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

The hurricane, which struck the island on Tuesday last, has, so far, resulted in the death of 28 Jamaicans.

Harbour View have endured a difficult season so far, managing just two wins from eight matches. The four-time JPL champions currently sit 12th in the 14-team standings, having also suffered four defeats and two draws.

“I am honoured to be appointed as head coach of such a prestigious club,” said Reynolds.

“Albeit it is generally a bittersweet situation, given the fact that, as a country, we are in a state of bother and concern now with the impact that we would have suffered with the passage of Hurricane Melissa, especially with the western part of Jamaica. So that is on my mind, honestly speaking, not just from a football standpoint, but from a humanitarian point of view,” he said.

“However, I am feeling happy about this job and for the confidence that the club bestowed on me. It is a heavy task that is in front of us as a staff, but I am certain that we will have the capacity to deal with this head-on,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds, who is also the head coach of defending Manning Cup champions Kingston College, noted that he is already familiar with the JPL set-up and has some knowledge of the current Harbour View squad.

“I have always been very close to the Premier League, and I have a fair idea in terms of the squad that is presently at Harbour View,” he said.

“I will have to be a little bit closer to assess properly, especially with my kind of philosophy that I will put in place, not just to see the quality that they have, but the ability to make that adjustment and work with what I have to put on the table,” Reynolds pointed out.

“I am pretty satisfied with what I know is there, but part of my aim is to improve the quality, even if it is through transfers, and I think that is something that management will look to deal with.”

Reynolds previously coached in the JPL last season, when he took over the then-struggling Chapelton Maroons for the final two months of the campaign, guiding them away from relegation. He has also had stints with Humble Lion FC.

“It is a tough situation and a tough challenge, but I think there is sufficient time to get it right. At no time in the competition does any club want to be in this position, but personally speaking, and with the staff that will be in place, I am pretty confident that we can turn things around in a positive way,” Reynolds said.

Robert Bailey