Sea of red around Warriors’ truck

JUST OVER 50 football fans crowded into the lobby of Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday, ready to push, pull and squeeze their way to the front of the crowd for a chance to meet with the TT Soca Warriors.

The team, who represented TT at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, was greeted by a swarm of fans who were there to congratulate them on their World Cup achievements, as well as to get autographs and photographs with their heroes.

Just moments before he boarded a truck with his fellow team-mates for a motorcade to the Hasley Crawford Stadium, central defender Dennis Lawrence told Sunday Newsday the team was very appreciative of the support of the nation.

“Being back here for the last couple days, we can obviously feel the atmosphere and we can feel the excitement of the country,” he said.

“We’re just delighted that we were able to play some part in it. We think the fans deserve it. They’ve been very good and faithful to us throughout. They’ve supported us well!”

Lawrence said although members of the team were looking forward to the celebrations, they also wanted some time to just relax.

“We just want to enjoy the moment now. We’ve worked hard over the last six and a half weeks, so now it comes to a stage where we can just sit back and enjoy it a bit,” he said.

Lawrence said that with respect to the unification of TT in a time when crime was so rampant, the team would play its part in helping to bring people together.

“Well I mean, if in any way, form or fashion we feel we can help in resolving the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, we’re happy to play a part in it.

“If this helps, we hope that it’s the start of what can be a huge beginning for change.”

As the players boarded the truck that took them to the celebrations at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, excitement ran high and there was a festive mood along Wrightson Road, Colville Street and Ariapita Avenue.

A sea of red surrounded the Warriors’ truck and fans waved to their heroes with chants of, “I am a Soca Warrior, I say win or lose, I am a fighter!”