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Stewart: Harbour View will retake its ‘place of prominence’ in local football
February 05, 2026
Chairman of Harbour Football Club, Carvel Stewart, is confident his club will regain its place among the elite of Jamaica's football.
Since winning the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) in the 2012-13 season, Harbour View Football Club, one of the traditional standard bearers in local top-flight football, have struggled to replicate their former glory, despite lifting the trophy again in 2022.
The East Kingston club remains one of the most decorated locally with five national titles and a regional crown.
Apart from 2014-15, the Stars of the East's highest finish in the regular season was fifth (2017-18). And even when they made the playoffs they have never progressed past the first stage, except for 2022 when Ludlow Bernard carried them all the way.
Most recently they finished 12th and 11th, and now they are 13th (second from bottom) in the standings.
Stewart pointed out that the lack of quality coaching is a main issue, along with the club losing its best young talent to other local teams.
The first step, he says, has been taken with the reappointment of Lenworth Hyde as coach.
"Since (Ludlow) Bernard we have not been able to secure coaching of the quality we are accustomed to over the years. We have not paid that kind of attention to that kind of person," he declared.
He noted that their most successful coaches, Bernard, Vin Blaine, Donovan 'DV' Hayles, the late Peter Cargill and Hyde, all had a long history with the club. This, he said, has been a formula of their success and they are revisiting that strategy.
"That is why 'Lenny' Hyde is back. He played with us at the club and graduated into coaching at the club and he won the premier league (2006-07) and the Caribbean Championship.
"And immediately the quality of play has stepped up. So when we would have had a week's training, I expect I will see the kind of football that we have prided ourselves on, which is the passing game," he said.
They are now looking to keep their best young players and transition them into the senior set-up.
"One of the best examples is Colorado Murray. He was with us from 12 years old and was on waiting to be drafted into the seniors, and the next thing you hear he is scoring a ton of goals for Tivoli.
"We have had the unfortunate situation of drafting players who were not ready for the premier league, but this year I have insisted that we maintain our youth programme players and don't frustrate them into going elsewhere. So I am looking forward to them graduating into the senior programme," he said.
He also believes Hyde is the ideal man.
"He (Hyde) has already done it (transitioning young players and lifting the standard). Even in Sunday's game (against Tivoli) there were complimentary remarks from our opponents.
Stewart says despite sitting in the relegation zone, they will not be fighting the drop this season.
"We have no battle with relegation. That's just in the minds of other people. We don't have a battle with relegation. After the next three games you can call me and see.
"Will Harbour View retake its place of prominence in local football. The simple answer is yes, because we will be doing things to ensure our rise again and we will do it based on merit, and don't be surprised when you see us in the top six this season. And when you get in the top six anybody can win," he concluded.
