# Joe Public F.C.

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Association football club in Trinidad and Tobago

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2019)

Football club

Joe Public Full name B Mobile Joe Public Football Club Nicknames Eastern Lions Saints Founded 1996; 30 years ago (1996) Dissolved 2011; 15 years ago (2011) Ground Marvin Lee Stadium Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago Capacity 6,000[1] Chairman Jack Warner Manager Rajesh Latchoo League National Super League 2010–11 TT Pro League, 3rd (relegated) Home colours Away colours

**Joe Public Football Club** was a [football](/source/Association_football) club from [Trinidad and Tobago](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago) that used to play in the [TT Pro League](/source/TT_Pro_League). Nicknamed the *Eastern Lions*, it was owned by former [FIFA](/source/FIFA) vice-president [Jack Warner](/source/Austin_%22Jack%22_Warner).

## History

Following the disappointment in 1996 of the [Trinidad national team](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_national_football_team), which saw the country fail to qualify for World Cup 1998, Austin "Jack" Warner proposed that creating a league to produce home grown players would function as the building blocks to qualify for the next World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Thus, the need for a professional league and the ability for clubs to operate as business entities, the Joe Public Football Club was formed.

After entering and winning the Eastern Football Association's Competitions in 1996, Joe Public qualified for and won the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association's Champion of Champions Tournament. This allowed the club entry into the Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) after only one season in existence. During the beginning years of the club's existence, Joe Public had established an operative football office with paid staff and employed several players from countries throughout the Caribbean, Nicaragua, Mexico and Brazil.

The club finished second in their first season of the SPFL in 1997, and in 1998 they won the Champions' League Tournament, the Craven A SPFL League title, and the CFU Caribbean Club Championship.[2]

However, in 2004, Joe Public withdrew from the [Professional Football League](/source/Professional_Football_League_(Trinidad_and_Tobago)) to play in the National Super League, Trinidad and Tobago's second division, but returned after two years for the 2006 season, in which they clinched the league championship title.

In November 2007, as a result going undefeated through the group stage of the [CFU Club Championship 2007](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_2007), Joe Public advanced to the knockout rounds after decisive wins over Sagicor South East United from [Dominica](/source/Dominica) 5–0, and [SV Racing Club Aruba](/source/SV_Racing_Club_Aruba) 7–0. In the quarterfinals they defeated [Bassa F.C.](/source/Bassa_F.C.) from [Antigua and Barbuda](/source/Antigua_and_Barbuda) 4–0 and then in the semifinals, Joe Public upended the Puerto Rico Islanders 1–0 to advance to the final. On 16 November, Joe Public fell to [Harbour View](/source/Harbour_View_F.C.) of [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica) 1–2 to finish runner-up. However, due to the reorganized [CONCACAF Champions' Cup](/source/CONCACAF_Champions'_Cup) into the CONCACAF Champions League, Joe Public qualified for the Champions League in August 2008.

### 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League

On 26 August 2008, Joe Public faced the [New England Revolution](/source/New_England_Revolution), from the [United States](/source/United_States) in the first leg of the preliminary round in the [CONCACAF Champions League 2008–09](/source/CONCACAF_Champions_League_2008%E2%80%9309). The *Eastern Lions* defeated New England Revolution 2–1 in front of a crowd of 2,100 at the [Marvin Lee Stadium](/source/Marvin_Lee_Stadium). Then, on the return leg before 3,523 spectators in [Foxborough](/source/Foxborough%2C_Massachusetts), Massachusetts, Public used a hat trick from [Gregory Richardson](/source/Gregory_Richardson) in routing New England Revolution 4–0 in [Gillette Stadium](/source/Gillette_Stadium) to advance to the group stage on a 6–1 aggregate score. With the result, Joe Public became the first Caribbean club to defeat a team from the [United States](/source/United_States) in a CONCACAF club competition. In addition, Public were also the first to score as many as three goals against a club from the United States.[3]

In the group stage, Joe Public were drawn with [Atlante](/source/Atlante_F.C.), [Olimpia](/source/C.D._Olimpia), and [Montreal Impact](/source/Montreal_Impact_(1992%E2%80%932011)). On 17 September 2008, Joe Public did not start the group stage on a positive note, falling 2–0 to [Montreal Impact](/source/Montreal_Impact_(1992%E2%80%932011)) in [Montreal](/source/Montreal).[4] The *Eastern Lions* home opener for the CONCACAF Champions League did not go well either, as Joe Public lost 3–1 to C.D. Olimpia in the [Marvin Lee Stadium](/source/Marvin_Lee_Stadium) giving the club no points from its first two games in the group stage.[5] However, in their third game, Joe Public traveled to [Cancun](/source/Cancun%2C_Mexico), Mexico and defeated [Atlante](/source/Atlante_F.C.) 1–0.[6] On 8 October, Joe Public lost another game in the group stage. This time they fell to [Montreal Impact](/source/Montreal_Impact_(1992%E2%80%932011)) again 4–1, slashing the chances of Joe Public advancing beyond the group stage. With the loss to [Atlante](/source/Atlante_F.C.) 2–0 in [Cancún](/source/Canc%C3%BAn), [Mexico](/source/Mexico) on 21 October, Public was officially eliminated from the [CONCACAF Champions League 2008–09](/source/CONCACAF_Champions_League_2008%E2%80%9309). Finally, to finish the group stage, Public travelled to [Tegucigalpa](/source/Tegucigalpa%2C_Honduras), [Honduras](/source/Honduras) to face [Olimpia](/source/C.D._Olimpia). They lost the match 4–0 to end their run in the CONCACAF Champions League with a record of 3–0–5 in the competition, with a disappointing 1–0–5 record in the group stage to finish at the bottom of their group.

Only two days after a loss to Montreal Impact in the CONCACAF Champions League, Joe Public needed a goal from [Gregory Richardson](/source/Gregory_Richardson) in the 47th minute to defeat [San Juan Jabloteh](/source/San_Juan_Jabloteh_F.C.) 1–0. With the win Joe Public advanced to the final of the [First Citizens Cup](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_League_Cup). However, in the final, [W Connection](/source/W_Connection_F.C.) won a thrilling match, which saw Joe Public level the score 2–2 in the second half following a goal from [Keyeno Thomas](/source/Keyeno_Thomas). But Public eventually lost the game on penalty kicks 6–5.

### Closure

In 2011, Joe Public withdrew from TT Pro League due to issues arising from owner Jack Warner [7] In 2014, the club withdrew from Super League due to financial reasons.[8]

## Stadium

Marvin Lee Stadium

Joe Public played their home games at the 6,000-capacity [Marvin Lee Stadium](/source/Marvin_Lee_Stadium), located at the [Dr. João Havelange Centre of Excellence](/source/Dr._Jo%C3%A3o_Havelange_Centre_of_Excellence) in Tunapuna. The stadium was named after the national U-20 football captain, a standout defender at the time, who sustained head and neck injuries suffered in a collision with [Landon Donovan](/source/Landon_Donovan) in an U-20 game against the [United States](/source/United_States_Men's_National_Soccer_Team). He was left paralysed after the incident and died of illness as a result of his weakened state. Lee was later recognised by the Trinidad and Tobago government for his service to the nation and is remembered as a strong-willed individual who refused to let his injuries get the better of him.[9]

In 2005, Warner proposed that Marvin Lee Stadium install an artificial playing surface, citing that it would bring more credibility for the region.[10] Two years later, through a developmental grant from [FIFA](/source/FIFA), Joe Public became the first Caribbean club to install an artificial playing surface, reportedly costing in excess of [TT$](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_dollar)8 million ([US$](/source/United_States_dollar)600,000). The first game played on the newly installed playing surface saw Joe Public face [Caledonia AIA](/source/Caledonia_AIA_F.C.) in a TT Professional Football League match, which Caledonia AIA won 1–0.

## Team management

[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

- Head coach: **Derek King**

- Asst coach: **Ralph Nelson**

- Asst coach: **Richard Mitchell**

- Team manager: **Roland Sampath**

- Trainer: **David Prince**

- Physiotherapist: **David Cumberbatch**

- Physiotherapist: **Adisa Davis**

- Equipment manager: **Michael Williams**

## Honours

**Domestic**

- **[TT Pro League](/source/TT_Pro_League): 3** - 1998, 2006, [2009](/source/2009_TT_Pro_League)

- **[FA Trophy](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_Cup): 3** - 2001, 2007, [2009](/source/2009_Trinidad_and_Tobago_Cup) - Runner-up (2): 1999, 2000

- **[First Citizens Cup](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_League_Cup): 0** - Runner-up (2): [2008](/source/2008_Trinidad_and_Tobago_FCB_Cup), [2009](/source/2009_Trinidad_and_Tobago_FCB_Cup)

- **[TOYOTA Classic](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_Classic): 1** - 2007, [2009](/source/2009_Trinidad_and_Tobago_Classic) - Runner-up (1): 2005

- **[Digicel Pro Bowl](/source/Trinidad_and_Tobago_Pro_Bowl): 1** - [2009](/source/2009_Trinidad_and_Tobago_Pro_Bowl)

**Invitational**

- **[Kashif & Shanghai Knockout Tournament](/source/Kashif_%26_Shanghai_Knockout_Tournament): 1** - 2007

**International**

- **[CFU Club Championship](/source/CFU_Club_Championship): 2** - [1998](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_1998), [2000](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_2000) - Runner-up (2): [2007](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_2007), [2010](/source/2010_CFU_Club_Championship)

## Year-by-year

Season League season FA Trophy First Citizens Cup Digicel Pro Bowl TOYOTA Classic Lucozade Sport Goal Shield CFU Club Championship CONCACAF Champions League League result Big Six 1997 2nd Unknown did not qualify 1998 Champions Quarter-Finals Champions Quarter-Finals 1999 2nd Final Not Held Quarter-Finals 2000 4th Final Semi-Finals Champions Quarter-Finals 2001 2nd Champions did not qualify Semi-Finals did not qualify Not Held 2002 3rd Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Semi-Finals did not qualify 2003 5th Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Unknown did not qualify 2004 Withdrew† did not enter Abandoned did not enter did not qualify 2005 did not enter† did not enter did not enter Final did not qualify 2006 Champions 4th Round of 16 Quarter-Finals did not qualify Quarter-Finals did not qualify 2007 2nd 3rd Champions Quarter-Finals Quarter-Finals Champions Final did not qualify 2008 5th 5th Round of 16 Final Quarter-Finals Quarter-Finals Not Held did not qualify 2009 Champions Winners Champions Final Champions Champions Quarter-Finals did not qualify Group Stage 2010–11 3rd Quarter-finals Champions Second Place did not qualify 2011–12 did not enter Did not qualify

†*Joe Public voluntarily spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons in the National Super League. The Eastern Lions won the National Super League title in both years.*

## Continental record

- **[1998 CFU Club Championship](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_1998)**

- - Quarter-Finals v. [Notre Dame](/source/Notre_Dame_SC) – 4:0 - Semi-Finals v. [Waterhouse](/source/Waterhouse_F.C.) – 3:1 - Final v. [Caledonia AIA Fire](/source/Caledonia_AIA_F.C.) – 1:0

- **[1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup](/source/CONCACAF_Champions'_Cup_1998)**

- - Quarter-Finals v. [D.C. United](/source/D.C._United) – 0:8

- **[1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup](/source/CONCACAF_Champions'_Cup_1999)**

- - Quarter-Finals v. [Chicago Fire](/source/Chicago_Fire_S.C.) – 0:2

- **[2000 CFU Club Championship](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_2000)**

- - Group Stage v. [Guinness Harlem Bombers](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guinness_Harlem_Bombers&action=edit&redlink=1) – 2:0 - Group Stage v. [SV Robinhood](/source/SV_Robinhood) – 5:0 - Group Stage v. [RKV FC Sithoc](/source/RKVFC_Sithoc) – 7:0 - Championship Group v. [Carioca](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carioca_F.C.&action=edit&redlink=1) – 1:1 - Championship Group v. [Harbour View](/source/Harbour_View_F.C.) – 1:1 - Championship Group v. [W Connection](/source/W_Connection_F.C.) – 1:0

- **[2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup](/source/CONCACAF_Champions'_Cup_2000)**

- - Quarter-Finals v. [Pachuca](/source/C.F._Pachuca) – 0:1

- **Copa Finta Internacional (in Brazil)**

- - Third place

- **[2007 CFU Club Championship](/source/CFU_Club_Championship_2007)**

- - Group Stage v. [Sagicor South East United](/source/Sagicor_South_East_United) – 5:0 - Group Stage v. [SV Racing Club Aruba](/source/SV_Racing_Club_Aruba) – 7:0 - Quarter-Finals v. [Bassa](/source/Bassa_F.C.) – 4:0 - Semi-Finals v. [Puerto Rico Islanders](/source/Puerto_Rico_Islanders) – 1:0 - Final v. [Harbour View](/source/Harbour_View_F.C.) – 1:2

- **[2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League](/source/CONCACAF_Champions_League_2008%E2%80%9309)**

- - Preliminary Round v. [New England Revolution](/source/New_England_Revolution) – 2:1, 4:0 (Joe Public F.C. advances 6:1 on aggregate) - Group Stage v. [Montreal Impact](/source/Montreal_Impact_(1992%E2%80%932011)) – 0:2, 1:4 - Group Stage v. [Olimpia](/source/Club_Deportivo_Olimpia) – 1:3, 0:4 - Group Stage v. [Atlante](/source/Atlante_F.C.) – 1:0, 0:2

- **[2010 CFU Club Championship](/source/2010_CFU_Club_Championship)**

- - First Round v. [SV Leo Victor](/source/SV_Leo_Victor) – 4:3 - First Round v. [Avenues United](/source/Avenues_United_FC) – 6:0 - First Round v. [Devonshire Cougars](/source/Devonshire_Cougars) – 8:2 - Second Round v. [Walking Boys](/source/Walking_Boys_Company) – 5:0 - Second Round v. [Systems 3](/source/Saint_Vincent_Motor_Systems_3) – 3:1 - Final Round v. [San Juan Jabloteh](/source/San_Juan_Jabloteh_F.C.) – 1:0 - Final Round v. [Puerto Rico Islanders](/source/Puerto_Rico_Islanders) – 1:1 - Final Round v. [Bayamón](/source/Bayam%C3%B3n_FC) – 1:3

- **[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_CONCACAF_Champions_League)**

- - Preliminary Round v. [Brujas](/source/Brujas_F.C.) – 2:2, 4:2 (Joe Public F.C. advances 6:4 on aggregate) - Group Stage v. [Municipal](/source/C.S.D._Municipal) – 2:3, 1:1 - Group Stage v. [Santos](/source/Santos_Laguna) – 2:5, 1:5 - Group Stage v. [Columbus Crew](/source/Columbus_Crew) – 1:4, 0:3

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Marvin Lee Stadium –"](http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/tri/marvin_lee_stadium). Stadiumdb.com. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Joe Public F.C. History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081202023409/http://www.joepubliconline.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=49). Joe Public F.C. Official Website. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.joepubliconline.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=49) on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Joe Public shuts down New England in prelims"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080907043009/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=569037&cc=5901). Associated Press. 3 September 2008. Archived from [the original](http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=569037&cc=5901) on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Donatelli, Jordan lift Montreal past Joe Public 2:0 in CONCACAF Champions League"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080919142150/http://concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4385). CONCACAF. 17 September 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4385) on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bruschi scores pair, leads Olimpia to 3:1 victory over Joe Public"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080925191345/http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4401). CONCACAF. 24 September 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4401) on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Trinidad's Joe Public stuns Atlante in Cancun 1:0"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081003215841/http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4426). CONCACAF. 3 October 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?ID=4426) on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Pro League not surprised by Joe Public exit | Antigua Observer Newspaper"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180905142648/https://antiguaobserver.com/pro-league-not-surprised-by-joe-public-exit/). *antiguaobserver.com*. Archived from [the original](https://antiguaobserver.com/pro-league-not-surprised-by-joe-public-exit/) on 5 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Joe Public withdraws from Super League, EFA - Trinidad Guardian"](http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/joe-public-withdraws-super-league-efa-6.2.387308.5110c372c6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Marvin Lee Stadium"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120313125435/http://www.socawarriors.net/league.html?func=showPlayground&p=10&pgid=6). Soca Warriors Online. 30 July 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.socawarriors.net/league.html?func=showPlayground&p=10&pgid=6) on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["US$600,000 Artificial Pitch at Marvin Lee Stadium"](http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2007-02-26/sports7.html). The Trinidad Guardian. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2008. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

## External links

- [Profile on Soca Warriors Online](http://www.socawarriors.net/component/joomleague/?func=showClubInfo&p=10&cid=3/).[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120313125422/http://www.socawarriors.net/component/joomleague/?func=showClubInfo&p=10&cid=3%2F) 13 March 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).

v t e TT Pro League History Origins (1974–1993) Foundation (1994–1998) Development (1999–2008) Recent years (2009–present) Seasons 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003–04 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015-16 2016–17 2017 2018 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2023 2023–24 2024–25 Clubs Current Central FC Club Sando Defence Force La Horquetta Rangers Morvant Caledonia United North East Stars Point Fortin Civic Police San Juan Jabloteh W Connection Former Arima Fire Doc's Khelwalaas FC South End FUTGOF Joe Public Ma Pau South Starworld Strikers Tobago United T&TEC United Petrotrin Competition Teams (winners) Players foreign foreign scorers capped winners Managers Stadiums Statistics and awards Records Awards Hat-tricks Highest scores Golden Boot Players with 100+ goals Top scorers by season Associated competitions Charity Shield FA Trophy League Cup Pro Bowl Classic Goal Shield CONCACAF Champions League CFU Club Championship Category

v t e Caribbean football club champions Caribbean Club Championship 1990s 1997: United Petrotrin 1998: Joe Public 2000s 2000: Joe Public 2001: Defence Force 2002: W Connection 2003: San Juan Jabloteh 2004: Harbour View 2005: Portmore United 2006: W Connection 2007: Harbour View 2009: W Connection 2010s 2010: Puerto Rico Islanders 2011: Puerto Rico Islanders 2012: Caledonia AIA 2015: Central 2016: Central 2017: Cibao 2018: Atlético Pantoja 2019: Portmore United 2020s 2020: Atlético Pantoja 2021: Cavaly 2022: Violette CONCACAF Caribbean Cup 2020s 2023: Robinhood

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joe Public F.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Public_F.C.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Public_F.C.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.