Ryon Jones, STAR Writer

Boys' Town's captain Michael Campbell came agonising close to lifting his first premier league trophy in his 12 years at the club, but saw his team fail to secure the win needed against eventual winners Tivoli Gardens in the ultimate game last season. Tivoli claimed the title by four points.

Campbell and his teammates will renew their efforts to gain a hold on the island's top football title when they kick off the 2011/2012 campaign against Reno in a 3:30 p.m. encounter at Collie Smith Drive.

The Red Brigade have now gone 22 years without claiming the league crown and Campbell who has captained the club for the past six years is desperate to gain a hold on the elusive piece of silverware.

"We are looking forward to it (the start of the season) as we have been preparing to take the title this season," the 32-year-old Campbell shared. "The premier league is the only title I haven't won since I have been at Boys' Town and it is a major disappointment, so it is something that I want," he added.

disappointment

Campbell believes his teammates have overcome the disappointment of last season and are proud of their achievement given their limited resources. He is also of the view that their main downfall was in the area of goal scoring and with the acquisition of three new strikers he hopes their fortune in front of goal will change.

The father of four is also looking to play his role in guiding the team to victory this season by not only motivating the players, but improving his own goal output which was six last season. He, however, knows that they face a tricky opening round encounter against Reno; a team which they failed to beat in three attempts last season with the games ending in draws.

"We are ready; the spirit is high, as we know that Reno are a hard team for the first match," Campbell expressed. "We are at home, so anything less than three points will be a disappointment," he added.

Coach Andrew Price, who will be without the services of influential midfielder Damion Benjamin for the start of season after he fractured his jaw during pre-season, is cognisant of the fact that the opening match promises to be a tough one, but is banking on their home support to drive them to victory.

"The first game is always a challenging one, but it is always good to start at home though, so you can have your crowd support," Price stated. The Reno team is a very plucky one and well coached, so we know they are going to come very prepared, but we are up to the challenge and we want to make a good start as we did last season," he added.

Reno's assistant coach Michael Graham anticipates a cagey affair, as both teams will be hoping to avoid defeat.

"Against Boys' Town I think it is going to be a tactical game, because we don't want to lose the first game and I think it is the same for Boys' Town," Graham said. "This team is a very young one, because most of the players are coming from the under-21 rank, but we are aiming to be in the top three this season," he added.

Matches on:

Boys Town vs Reno FC at Collie Smith Drive - 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse FC vs Highgate United FC at Drewsland Stadium - 5:00 p.m.

Village United FC vs Arnett Gardens FC at Trelawny Stadium -3:30 p.m.

Portmore United vs Sporting Central FC at Ferdie Neita Park - 7:00 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens FC vs Montego Bay United FC at Edward Seaga Complex - 5:00 p.m.

Harbour View FC vs Humble Lions FC at Harbour View Stadium - 6:30 p.m.