Coach strongly denies claims

Livingston Scott, Star Writer

According to one close Arnett Gardens Football Club associate, the club's Premier League team coach, Jerome Waite, was given one match, his final first-round game against bottom-of-the-table Humble Lion, to save his job.

However, Waite, who guided Charlie Smith to this season's Manning Cup final, when quizzed on the subject, insisted that he knew nothing of the sort and his job was never threatened by his superiors.

"I know nothing about that," Waite responded. And when asked if his job was under any threat at all, he boldly and flatly stated, "No".

Arnett started the Premier League flying, winning their first three games and drawing two of their first six to sit second. However, after beating neighbours and rivals Boys' Town in late September, the team slumped to back-to-back defeats for the first time this season and ended up losing three of their last five matches.

Arnett's 2-1 win over cellar-dwellars Humble Lion leaves them fifth on 17 points, seven points behind leaders Waterhouse, three ahead of second-place Cavaliers and two adrift of Montego Bay and Harbour View.

But Waite pointed out that injuries to key players have really affected them, although he is confident that he can return the team to the form that made them one of the most exciting attacking teams in the round early in the tournament this season.

"When we started the first round last season, at this point we only had 12 points, and we have done better in these two months than last year, and so we are looking forward to the second round."