‘Lily’ honoured to take Golden Jaguars new role

“It’s a privilege anytime you’re called up to represent your country, this time it is no different. It was an honour when I got the phone call to be assistant to Wayne Dover…it’s only fitting that I give him my support,” said Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, the newly appointed Assistant Coach said.

Pollard was called to the position following Dover being appointed interim national Head Coach for the International Friendly against Martinique on March 28 at the MSC Ground, Linden.

The soft-spoken Assistant Coach, who has been an outstanding former national defender and captain, has been coaching for approximately four years. While he currently coaches Club Sando, a Trinidadian professional club, he began his coaching career at Slingerz FC in Guyana.

“I’m still learning the game as a coach. I was excellent as a player but coaching is a different factor…I’m enhancing my education,” Pollard, who represented Guyana for approximately 17 years, stated. 

Commenting about coaching players who were youth players and sometimes teammates during his years as a player, Pollard said: “I think it will be easier. I think we have the relationship from then to now. They’ve always respected me when I used to play, the transition was easy. I think some of the guys here have not experienced football at the highest level and need some support. That’s where I come in, to share my knowledge and nurture them.” 

Looking ahead, the coach who played professionally in Trinidad and USA, noted that while the current national team has a good blend of youth and experience with a good attitude, the mental game needs to be improved.

However, he is interested in sharing his talent and experience: “I’m positive; I would not want to be a part of something I’m not sure of or won’t be successful at. Guyanese are a very competitive type of people physically, but if we work on the mental part, we could do a great lot.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars continue intensive daily training sessions at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, as they prepare for the International Friendly on Tuesday.  

In an invited comment, Interim Head Coach Dover said it will be a competitive game and he is working assiduously to give the nation a good result: “Martinique is preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and they’re coming with an extremely strong team. We’re looking forward to the challenge, we know it will be a challenge, but we will work diligently to ensure that we build the squad into a unit that will go out there and play so we can get as positive result. We will not approach timidly, we want to give a good showing especially to our fans so that they can go away feeling satisfied based on the result of the night.”   

While most of the squad have arrived, Marcel Barrington, Samuel Cox and Warren Creavalle are expected on Sunday. The team will be shortlisted on Monday. Patrons are encouraged to wear yellow; admission to Tuesday’s game is $1,500.