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Football
A. O. Shirley Grounds Fails FIFA Inspection
By Dean Greenaway
Jan 5, 2008, 00:28

Faulty work continues to affect the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, as show here on the football field. The grass has been improperly laid and will have to be taken up now that the track has been completed. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—For the first time since the British Virgin Islands began playing in FIFA preliminary competitions, fans will not see the team playing on home soil. After selecting a 26 man squad to face the Bahamas in its 2010 FIFA World Cup preliminary competition on a home and away basis, the British Virgin Islands Football Association has petitioned FIFA for a change of date and venue, after the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds failed a recent inspection.

The BVI was scheduled to face the Bahamas in Nassau on Feb 6, and host them at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on March 26. However, BVIFA general secretary Kenrick Grant in a release from the body, confirmed that the A.O Shirley Grounds has failed FIFA's inspection as a suitable venue due to the current upgrading being done with the installation of a 400 meters Mondo track, that was completed last month. The infield is uneven and there are no seating arrangements or bathroom facilities in place.

“All FIFA matches are all seated, and the facilities for the teams and officials have to be optimum,” Grant stated. “Due to these requirements, the BVI and Bahamas have entered into an agreement to have both matches played in the Bahamas. Confirmation from FIFA has not yet been received, but with both countries in agreement, FIFA should not have a problem approving the change.”

Grant said that the proposed change will see the BVI playing the Bahamas in their away match on Wednesday, March 26 and their home match on Sunday, March 30 in the Bahamas. The winner of the first round playoff will face Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in the second round.
 

Areas as shown in this photo, are rampant at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, where the infield grass was laid in September. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

“The BVI being drawn against the Bahamas was a great draw that could see us through to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time in our history,” Grant noted. “We have the talent to defeat the Bahamas, but we have to approach this task in a professional manner. We have to prepare our team, which is made up of a mixture of experience and young talent, well.”

The association has scheduled a meeting with the team for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan 9, at its headquarters in the Botanic Station.

The squad selected is comprised of:Richie Morton, Joel Fahie, Christopher Telemaque, Javier Smith, Jevon Demming, Gawayne Christopher, Gregory James, Gerard Vanterpool, Rickie Legard, Carlos Septus, John Samuel, Avondale Williams, Ronalie Caines, Montgomery Butler, Noel Isaacs, Jamie Sanger, Otis Sanger, Lee Evans, Roger Alexander, Rohan Lennon, Andrew Thomas, Nano Ottley, Terrance Baptiste, Venton James, Fladima Septus, and Timon Robinson. 

Head coach, Patrick Mitchell. Team Manager, Hilary Edwards.