Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts: Wednesday night, June 22, 2011 - Ram’s Village Superstars FC thrilled football fans and lovers with an exhilarating display of passion, teamwork and football artistry to win the SKNFA Digicel sponsored Premier Division league. The win represented the crowning achievement on a season that once seemed fatally doomed.
At the end of the first of three rounds of football, Village was positioned second to last in the points table. Relegation seemed inevitable. The doubters elsewhere prevailed, but the lights at Champsville burnt.
Was Village destined for relegation? That appeared to be a question only a non-resident of Champsville or a non-resident, non-supporter would have entertained. Did not our very own King Konris warn, “Never wake a sleeping tiger.” And for those whose hearing may have been impaired or who preferred to think the world rotates only on their axis, King Konris reminded that we are “An Unstoppable Force”. Those who don’t hear will feel.
So when 2011 rolled in, Ram’s Village Superstars FC had recharged. Village moved quickly to sweep away all opponents and captured the Easter Cup. No sooner had this Unstoppable Force secured that cup, that it blew away Conaree, then Newtown, then St. Pauls en route to convincingly earning the coveted title of FA Cup Champions.
Very few would dare challenge the lyrical creativity of the Boyzs from Champsville whose chants are the fountains of inspiration from which its team and supporters drink daily. Between 2004 and 2007, they produced “Dis time for real”, “Rise to the occasion”, “Doin it for Lucio“, to name a few. So when the team emerged from under the sea this year with “Everybody can’t get a cup”, even the haters could not help but wonder in amazement at the possibilities that lay ahead. Honestly, many hurried to confess “there is no stopping Village now”, and “it’s Village time”.
For the benefit of future generations, historians among us would wish to place this phenomenal 2010-11 football success in perspective. Firstly, several years ago, dating back to the 2004-05 season, St. Pauls United FC, Newtown FC and Village Superstars FC joined forces with the mission of returning football in St. Kitts to its rightful place where teams would not be constrained by inequities, skewed decision making and rolling debates. When the transition to a new administration was achieved and St. Pauls reaped success, it attributed its success to (to paraphrase its coach, John Gumbs) the freedom to play football without manufactured stress. Newtown won the second year following, and again the ‘free market’ ensured the best team won.
So had the gods forgotten the genuine sacrifices of Village Superstars FC? After all, that team had suffered long and hard, had been denied just rewards. Had the gods met and determined that a dramatic, championship filled performance, on the national stage, would be the only just reward for Village?
Coming from deep under the sea, then swooping up one, then two cups, was a third cup in store? Zicomo Condor, player and lead spokesman for the team, told Junie Liburd of Freedom Radio (FM 106.5), “Our rise from great depths is the stuff that dreams and legends are made of. The story could only have one ending.” Zic, shall we say you told them?
Secondly, beyond any doubt, our team simply stared relegation in the face and told her, “Not this time.” With its shoulders to the wheel, with a fair mix of youth and experience, passion and skill and a keen sense of history, our team meticulously wrote a new and inspiring chapter in the football history of our club and the Federation.
The now infamous goal of the second game in the Final 2 playoffs was no doubt a distraction. But then again, is that not how the story line normally goes - the hero is plunged into a seemingly inescapable trap only to fight his way to freedom, daringly and courageously.
Beyond that hurdle, Village had legitimate requests denied, absorbed threats of derailments. With our team captain and leader unavailable for the final game, the team summoned its true character. We had faced similar challenges in the past and won. The pride and honour of our community were at stake. We were not going to be denied. Village triumphed, we triumphed!!
Ram’s Village Superstars is eternally grateful to its flood of fans and supporters. We thank the many football lovers who joined ranks with us at critical moments during the season, and, in particular, during the Final 2 playoffs. We acknowledge the generous support of Mrs. Fough of Elite Laundro Mart. Hon Sam Condor and Mrs. Jean Condor are a tower of support to us. We love you both.
But words cannot adequately declare how immeasurably appreciative our club is of the tremendous support provided by Mr. Kishu Chandiramani, Chairman of Ram’s Group of Companies, and Mr. Shaun Weston, General Manager of Ram’s Ltd. We are thankful to both these gentlemen for Ram’s sponsorship of our Premier Division team. Ram’s joined the Village Family in 2007 when our club launched the biggest team sponsorship deal in the history of the Federation.
We congratulate and applaud each player and official of Village Superstars FC, its management team lead by president Spuddy ‘Troy’ Henrickson, all former players and officials and other residents of Champsville and other supporters at home and abroad.
Village again, against all odds.
