By WALTER ALIBEY Sunday, November 29 2009

FORMER England international footballer Terry Fenwick has been returned as coach of struggling San Juan Jabloteh who are campaigning in the TT Pro League.

Newsday has been reliably informed that Fenwick has been recalled after making his exit from the team following the financial problems of the CL Financial conglomerate which was owned by Lawrence Duprey earlier this year.

The former England defender gained notoriety when he was dribbled-past by Argentinian midfielder Diego Maradona during the “Hand of God” goal 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

It is understood that he was considering taking legal action after the club was unable to pay salaries to players and coaches. Fenwick’s contract expired at the end of 2010 and Fenwick was reportedly owed millions.

CL Financial reportedly supplied the club with a whopping $350,000 monthly before the collapse. The club which comprises numerous youth teams, a reserve league team, Superleague team, TT Pro League team as well as a netball team were all funded by Clico.

According to the source Fenwick received a monthly salary of well over $100,000 which included bonuses and other perks.

Contacted also Travis Mulraine, the team’s assistant coach confirmed that his staff received letters informing them of Fenwick’s return to the club for the rest of the season and the following year.

His return means that Mulraine’s position as well as that of team coach Earl Jean, a recruit from W Connection, could be in jeopardy. San Juan Jabloteh struggled to win any title this year and in the Toyota Cup final they were clobbered 4-0 by Joe Public earlier this month.

Quizzed about the team’s performances this year Mulraine said he was relatively satisfied with the performances, considering the exodus of players that resulted from the collapse. Mulraine, a former national midfielder and captain hinted that the spate of poor performances stemmed from indiscipline within the camp.

Mulraine who also missed out on an international contract during his playing days with the Joe Public Football Club in the 1990s said the indiscipline within the camp interrupted their programme this year.

He lashed out at local players for their lack of commitment which has been providing them with their bread and butter daily. He is now aiming to gets his FA “A” Licence next year.

Mulraine has expressed an interest in coaching at the national level and yesterday he noted that if that does not happen, he will explore his options in coaching abroad saying local players are not ready to take on seriousness of professional football.

In the meantime however, Mulraine is awaiting interests from local clubs in the TT Pro League.