Look out for KC – coach Watson

Kingston College (KC) coach Raymond Watson believes they are poised to make a big leap next season as he contends they surpassed the expectations that many had for them before the start of their title defence.

Watson, in his first season at the helm of KC, failed to win a trophy in the just-concluded season, in a programme that sets a standard of excellence and silverware. KC lost their hold on the Manning Cup after losing in the semifinals to St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and finished the season without a silverware losing the Champions Cup final to new Manning Cup winners Jamaica College (JC).

Watson believes that there are positives in year one of his spell at the helm, in a season where persons expected that they would have a difficult path to a title defence, being placed in a first-round group that included St George's College and Calabar High.

"I am happy with the progress that we have made. Nobody expected us to be here. We contested a Manning Cup semifinal and a Champions Cup final. We started the season and people were saying that in the group of death, KC wouldn't come out. So I am very happy for them," Watson told STAR Sports.

He regrets that Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards, who ended the season with 30 goals in all competitions, completed his KC chapter without a title. Watson, however, states that it has been a joy to watch Richards' journey unfold.

"It's been a privilege. The first time I saw Dujuan Richards playing football he was playing centre back. That forward transition was when he was playing under-13 at Harbour View and him coming into Kingston College and he has been moulded by Phoenix.

"Craig Butler has really helped in his development. It has been a great journey and when I say Dujuan Richards used to play centre half people wouldn't believe me," Watson said.

Butler is the founder of Phoenix Football Academy, which Richards is a part of.