Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
WILSON
THE ARNETT Gardens' duo of Kevin 'Pele' Wilson and Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths left the island last Wednesday for Canada to take up contracts with Montreal Impact and Toronto Lynx respectively in the United Soccer League (USL).
Patrick Roberts, president of Arnett Gardens, told The Gleaner that despite his team struggling for form in the Premier League, he couldn't afford not to grant the opportunity to both players.
"We just could not afford for them to miss out at this stage of their careers, especially Wilson with his age," he said moments before Tivoli handed a 5-0 whipping to Arnett on Sunday.
"It was the best thing for Wilson as he was not into it locally. His mind was on his overseas career," Roberts added.
Wilson, 28, is having his second stint with the club after playing with the Impact during the 1998 season in which he was the third best scorer on the team with nine goals. Wilson, along with Nicoles Lesage, was acquired by Montreal Impact last Wednesday and head coach Nick De Santis has high hopes for the duo.
"It was important for us to sign these two forwards," said De Santis on their website. "Wilson is a player with a lot of experience who is very familiar with the North American brand of soccer. He will also bring us a lot of speed up front."
Before leaving for Montreal, Wilson was Arnett's second top scorer with eight goals and single-handily destroyed Tivoli Gardens with three goals in the Jackie Bell KO final.
Wilson has so far justified the confidence placed in him by De Santis and has netted twice to propel the touring Montreal Impact to a 3-0 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders in a pre-season match at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on Sunday.
He made his international debut under Rene Simoes as an 18-year-old in December 1995 against Norway, scoring the equaliser in a dream debut.
Wilson has seven caps on the senior team and three caps on the Under-23 Olympic team.
Meanwhile, Winston Griffiths, 26, also got his name on the scoresheet while playing as a forward for the Lynx. He scored in the 58th minute, enabling his team to draw 1-1 with Virginia Beach Mariners.
Griffiths, on loan from Arnett Gardens, was just brought on by head coach Hubert Busby Jr. and immediately made his mark.
On the club website, coach Hubert Busby Jr said he was happy with Griffiths' acquisition as he brings firepower to the offence.
"Winston adds to our creative midfield talent," explained Busby Jr. "He is a versatile player that can play multiple positions across the midfield and also up front if necessary. He will be a big addition to our offence."
Griffiths, a talented player who represented the Reggae Boyz 26 times while scoring four goals, began his North American professional career with the now defunct Connecticut Wolves of the USL First Division.
On Sunday, May 15, Wilson and Griffiths will come face to face as their clubs will clash in the season opener.
