Richard Graham, Star Writer

Brandon Murrray, the outspoken president of Sporting Central Academy, the Brancourt outfit out of Clarendon that won the National Under-21 competition, has come out swinging at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and Digicel for what he calls total disregard of their achievement.

On Thursday night, the JFF, in association with the PLCA and sponsors Digicel, hosted the 2011 awards for the Premier League at the Courtleigh Auditorium, but Murray is peeved there was not even a mention or recognition of the Under-21s. He also disclosed his club had not even received an invitation to the awards for any specific member from that championship squad.

"There is a lot of disappointment on the part of the players, and I share it, that no provision was made for rewarding of the Under-21s," Murray told Star Sports.

"There is that anger and a feeling of disappointment that a marked achievement was not recognised," Murray said.

"In years gone by, the awards (DPL) function had facilitated both programmes because they are so close-knit."

"There is a direct correlation," he argues, "between the development of the Premier League and the Under-21 competition.

"It's the contribution of the Under-21 that has helped to make some of the very DPL teams sustainable."

He has also directed some of his fire at Digicel.

He believes the communication giant should not have taken the view that because they do not directly sponsor the Under-21 recognition is cut off. He believes their recognition of the Under-21 enhances the product value of the DPL.

registration process

To substantiate his point, he pointed to how annexed the registration process was in both tiers.

"It is the same registration that facilitates both leagues," Murry pointed out.

"It is the same programme; when you submit a list of 50 players to the JFF each year, it's only those sets of players you can use for both competitions. That shows you how closely connected the two are.

"How could they not see this link?" Murray rhetorically asked of the DPL sponsors.

He conceded that he had heard the JFF might plan something separate at a later date for the Under-21s. However, Murray said this would do little to change the scope of his original argument.

"That (a separate function) defeats the whole purpose because the ultimate thing for the players is to play in the Premier League, and hence to share in the occasion would be the best reward."

Murray's side, which has struggled to make headway in the DPL, said he was inspired to win the Under-21 after watching Harbour View collect their Under-21 spoils at a previous awards function.

'It is the same programme; when you submit a list of 50 players to the JFF each year, it's only those sets of players you can use for both competitions. That shows you how closely connected the two are. How could they not see this link?' Murray rhetorically asked of the DPL sponsors.