Former national captain Dwight Yorke during
a Soca Warriors session earlier this month.

Dwight Yorke says he would consider coaching in the Australian A-League if the opportunity was presented. Speaking to the Australian press during his visit to Sydney with friend Brian Lara this past week Yorke said he was happy to make himself available at some stage to assist in lifting the A-League standard, and unable to do it as a player as he did in the period before Germany 2006, he was more than willing to contribute as a coach. “Coaching and managing in the A-League is something I would love to do. I had a taste of life as a coach for Trinidad and Tobago and I loved every minute of it. The people here in Australia make us really welcome, that's why my best friend Brian Lara and I enjoy being here so much.”

In Syndey to launch his second book Born to Score, Yorke commented: “The book is based on my life. There are lots of ups and downs and loneliness detailed. There are lots of misconceptions. I feel I just need to put the record straight and I feel it’s the appropriate time to do that. Leaving Manchester United at a very low point of my career and losing my sister at a very crucial time was hard. I’m not sitting here and asking for sympathy. I always remember what my mum said, ‘you make your bed and you lie in it.’ “I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m still a very fun person. I don’t do things halfway. I’m full on. If I go out I tend to have a good time,” Yorke said. Wigan Athletic striker Jason Scotland has confessed that he owed Owen Coyle his footballing life and admits he would be have been back home in the T&T Pro League if it was not for the smooth-talking Burnley boss.

Wigan striker Scotland is now living his dream as a Premier League footballer, but he was banned from the country before Coyle persuaded the government to let him stay. Scotland had just a week to pack his belongings and head home to the T&T island after his work permit ran out with Dundee United and his passport was harshly stamped flop. However, Coyle, who had been his reserve team boss at United, went out of his way to talk Scotland into joining St Johnstone as one of his first signings in management and, better still, win him the right to come back to these shores. “I got a few days to go to Scotland, but they had refused me entry to work because they said I wasn’t making an impact in the Scottish Premier League.

So I went back to Trinidad, but Owen managed to persuade the permit panel that I deserved a second chance. It was down a level to the First Division,” Scotland said. “I really appreciate what Owen did for me. “There were a few days when things did not look good for me. I thought my chance had gone and I was going back to playing in Trinidad. There is a professional league over there, but it’s not the same. “We all watch Premier League football, but my chance of playing in it would have gone. The former Defence Force striker laboured his way up the ladder, becoming topscorer with English Championship Division side Swansea City and is now playing against some of the world’s top players in the English Premiership.

Samuel urged to believe more
Scottish coach Tony Docherty feels that St Johnstone striker Collin Samuel has all the ingredients to play at the highest level in England, following in the footsteps of his countryman Jason Scotland. Samuel was on fire during his time at Falkirk but faded somewhat and has only recently become a threat again in the Saints line up. He earned plaudits for his performance and goal in a recent 2-1 loss to Glasgow Rangers. Docherty wants to see him keep it up.

“I think Collin needs people to believe in him so they can get the best out of him. He knows himself he has got to focus on his fitness and diet. He is definitely showing signs he is maturing and the fact he has two young kids has helped,” said Docherty. But Samuel is fed up hearing he has promise but admits he lost his way a bit at Tannadice. “When I moved to United I was a bit frustrated. Those three years didn’t really go the way I wanted it to. It is hard going at times but I try to cope with that as best as possible. At the moment I am working hard in training and playing to the best of my abilities,” Samuel said.

Jlloyd’s little brother in the game
The younger brother of English-based defender Jlloyd Samuel, Jemal is trying to follow in his brother’s footsteps by developing his skills at the same club the Bolton Wanderers player started at as a youngster. Samuel made his debut for T&T in the concluded 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and continues to be a regular in the Bolton line up in the Premiership.

Shaun Fuentes is the media officer for Soca Warriors/TTFF shaun fuentes@yahoo.com