New Warner among ‘Soca Warriors’

After watching the English-born Warner’s performance recently, coach Leo Beenhakker invited him to join the Soca Warriors squad in preparation for World Cup Germany 2006 which will kick off in June.

His inclusion was made known during a meeting between Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation special advisor Jack Austin Warner, who headed a team which also includes federation secretary Richard Groden and team manager Bruce Aanensen and members of the Soca Warriors.

Gillingham defender Brent Sancho acted as spokesman for the Soca Warriors at the meeting which was also attended by Scottish-based players, while skipper Dwight Yorke was kept aware of developments although he was in Australia.

The TTFF team flew to London for yesterday’s meeting to discuss the payment of bonuses following the Soca Warriors’ qualification for the World Cup finals.

The 31-year-old Warner who had stints at Liverpool and later at Cardiff has visited Trinidad ten years ago.

His father, Clyde Warner was born in Trinidad and migrated to England approximately 44 years ago.

The young Warner expressed "delight at being welcomed by the Soca Warriors."

He said, "I expressed an interest to play for Trinidad and Tobago a while back, but obviously there were some reasons why I haven’t yet played but now I have made a full commitment with the move to Fulham."

Warner said: "It is a great step for me and I’m really excited about being given the chance to play for Trinidad and Tobago."

He said he was hoping he could be of some value to what’s happening with football in this country.

Warner said he was fully aware of the copmpetition for goalkeeping spots with Kelvin Jack, Shaka Hislop and Clayton Ince in the squad.

"It is going to be good competition for the spots," he added.

His next step is acquiring a Trinidad and Tobago passport, and said he will make himself immediately available for the Soca Warriors next warm-up international scheduled for March 1.

Sancho said: "Right now we are teaching him the National Anthem and he is fitting in well."

He said the meeting was a positive one, "and we are all happy Mr Warner and the other officials were able to make the trip to come and meet with us. "It was definitely one leading to more progress and we agreed that the main picture is football and the national team of Trinidad and Tobago."