TT Premier Football League

{{about|the Trinidad and Tobago [[association football]] league|other uses of Professional Football League|PFL (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox football league | name = TT Premier Football League | image = | caption = | pixels = 140px | country = [[Trinidad and Tobago]] | confed = [[CONCACAF]] | founded = {{Start date and age|1999|01|05|df=yes}}<ref name=founded>{{cite news |title = New Trinidad & Tobago professional league kicks off in March |url = http://www.ttfootballhistory.com/node/345 |publisher = CONCACAF.com |date = 5 January 1999 |access-date = 31 May 2014 |archive-date = 1 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180101162602/http://www.ttfootballhistory.com/node/345 |url-status = dead }}</ref><br />''(as Professional Football League)'' (1999–2001) | first = [[1999 in association football|1999]] | folded = | divisions = | teams = 12 | feeds = | promotion = | relegation = None | levels = [[Trinidad and Tobago football league system|1]] | domest_cup = [[Trinidad and Tobago Cup|FA Trophy]]<br>[[Trinidad and Tobago Charity Shield|Digicel Charity Shield]] | league_cup = [[Trinidad and Tobago League Cup|First Citizens Cup]]<br>[[Trinidad and Tobago Classic|TOYOTA Classic]]<br>[[Trinidad and Tobago Goal Shield|Lucozade Sport Goal Shield]]<br>[[Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl|Digicel Pro Bowl]] | confed_cup = '''Regional'''<br>[[CFU Club Shield]]<br>[[CONCACAF Caribbean Cup]]<br>'''Continental'''<br>[[CONCACAF Champions Cup]] | champions = [[Defence Force F.C.]] | season = [[2024–25 TT Premier Football League|2024–25]] | most successful club = [[W Connection F.C.]] (6 titles) | most caps = | top goalscorer = [[Devorn Jorsling]] (144 goals) | sponsorship_name = | tv = | website = [https://thettfa.com/leagues/ttpremierleague/ thettfa.com] | current = [[2025–26 TT Premier Football League]] }}

The '''TT Premier Football League''' (formerly known as the '''TT Pro League''') is the [[Trinidad and Tobago]] professional league for [[association football]] clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division in the [[Trinidad and Tobago football league system]]. Contested by twelve clubs, the league is one of the world's few football leagues that does not operate on an automatic system of [[promotion and relegation]]. Seasons run from September to May, with teams playing 18 games each totaling 90 games in the season. Most games are played in the evenings of Fridays (''Super Fridays'') and Saturdays (''Fiesta Saturdays''), with a few games played during weekday evenings.<ref name=skeenexcited>{{cite news |title = Skeene excited over Pro League future |url = http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/sports/football/2010/03/26/skeene-excited-over-pro-league-future |publisher = Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian) |date = 2010-03-26 |access-date = 2010-03-26 |archive-date = 2016-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025100/http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/sports/football/2010/03/26/skeene-excited-over-pro-league-future |url-status = dead }}</ref> TTPFL clubs also play in other competitions, such as the [[Trinidad and Tobago Cup|FA Trophy]], [[Trinidad and Tobago League Cup|League Cup]], ''[[Trinidad and Tobago Classic|TOYOTA Classic]]'', [[Trinidad and Tobago Goal Shield|Goal Shield]], and [[Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]] against domestic clubs from other divisions; and against clubs from other countries in the [[CFU Club Shield]], [[CONCACAF Caribbean Cup]], and the [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]].

The TT Premier Football League was founded as part of a need for a professional league to strengthen the country's [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|national team]] and improve the development of its domestic players.<ref name=ttgopro>{{cite news |title = TT go pro |url = http://mpurcell.tripod.com/seasonbegins.htm |publisher = Shaun Fuentes (T&T Guardian) |date = 1999-03-31 |access-date = 2013-01-26 |archive-date = 2014-03-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140312224844/http://mpurcell.tripod.com/seasonbegins.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> The league is a corporation in which the member clubs act as shareholders and was inaugurated on 5 January 1999 under the name ''Professional Football League'' before switching to its current name after three years of existence.<ref name="founded" /> The TT Premier Football League headquarters is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago in [[Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago|St. Augustine]]. The league is currently sponsored by [[Digicel]] and thus officially known as the '''Digicel Pro League'''.<ref name="digicelsponsor" /> The TT Premier Football League is currently ranked 135th in the world and 12th in [[CONCACAF]] based on results during the previous calendar year according to the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS).<ref name=iffhsrank>{{cite news |title = The Strongest National League in the World |url = http://www.iffhs.de/the-strongest-national-league-of-the-world/ |publisher = International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date = 29 January 2014 |access-date = 29 January 2014 |archive-date = 20 June 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170620002730/http://iffhs.de/the-strongest-national-league-of-the-world/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=iffhsconcacaf>{{cite news |title = Central and North America's strongest League of the 21st Century |url = http://www.iffhs.de/?02f7370ae43d04fb3c17ff3204a46817f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20fa3014 |publisher = International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date = 2013-03-11 |access-date = 2013-03-11 |archive-date = 2016-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041934/http://iffhs.de/?02f7370ae43d04fb3c17ff3204a46817f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20fa3014 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Since 1908, a total of 24 clubs have been crowned [[List of Trinidad and Tobago football champions|champions of the Trinidad and Tobago football system]]. Of the 22 distinct clubs to have competed in the TT Pro League since its inception, six have won the title: [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] (6 titles), [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] (4), [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[Central F.C.|Central FC]] (3), [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] (2), and [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] (2).<ref name=champions>{{cite news |title = Trinidad and Tobago – List of Champions |url = https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/trinchamp.html |publisher = Radek Jelínekm, Hans Schöggl and RSSSF |date = 2009-04-03 |access-date = 2009-07-31 |archive-date = 2009-02-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090220172328/http://rsssf.com/tablest/trinchamp.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The current champions are [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] after the club won their 6th Pro League title in the [[2018 TT Pro League|2018]] season, 13 years after their first in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socawarriors.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21402:connection-lifts-pro-league-2018-crown-over-couva-rivals-central-as-sando-and-police-crash-out-of-top-two-finish-on-final-night&catid=73:tt-pro-league&Itemid=476|title=Connection lifts Pro League 2018 crown over Couva rivals Central as Sando and Police crash out of top-two finish on final night|access-date=2018-12-08|archive-date=2023-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724092810/https://socawarriors.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21402:connection-lifts-pro-league-2018-crown-over-couva-rivals-central-as-sando-and-police-crash-out-of-top-two-finish-on-final-night&catid=73:tt-pro-league&Itemid=476|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History== {{further|History of the TT Pro League}} {{see also|Association football in Trinidad and Tobago}}

===Origins (1974–1993)=== Prior to the 1990s, [[professionalism]] in [[Association football in Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidad and Tobago football]] was non-existent. In the 1970s and 1980s, the ''National League'', composed primarily of [[amateur]] players, served as the highest level in the [[Trinidad and Tobago football league system]]. However, it was during this period [[Trinidad and Tobago]] experienced an upswing in support for [[association football|football]] following a rise in international success at both club and [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|national team]] levels. In 1985, [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] became only the second team from [[CONCACAF]] to accomplish the [[treble (association football)|continental treble]] after the club won the National League, [[Trinidad and Tobago Cup|FA Trophy]], and [[1985 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|CONCACAF Champions' Cup]]. Coupled with the ''Strike Squad's'' near qualification for the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]], optimism for the country's first appearance at the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] was at an all-time high.<ref>{{cite news |title = Pulse: Thank You Trinidad and Tobago Warriors |url = http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2005-11-21/pulse.html |publisher = Trinidad Guardian |date = 2005-11-21 |access-date = 2008-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071117040241/http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2005-11-21/pulse.html |archive-date = 2007-11-17 }}</ref>

However, the early 1990s marked a low point in Trinidad and Tobago football. In 1993, after a streak of poor performances, the ''[[Soca music|Soca]] Warriors'' gave its worst ever showing in the [[1993 Caribbean Cup|Caribbean Cup]] after finishing a disappointing third, which was preceded with an early exit from its [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]] attempt. In response, [[Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidadian]] and former [[FIFA]] [[vice-president]] [[Jack Warner (football executive)|Jack Warner]] spoke out describing Trinidad and Tobago's football as being "in shambles" and crowd support was "non-existent".

===Foundation (1994–1998)=== In November 1995, [[Jack Warner (football executive)|Jack Warner]] proposed that creating a professional league to produce homegrown players would function as the building blocks to qualify for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] in France. In fact, speaking on the importance of a professional league for the future, Warner stated "professionalism or death for Trinidad and Tobago football." His proposal, which included the clubs' ability to operate as business entities, laid the foundation for [[professional]] football in [[Trinidad and Tobago]].

In order to successfully develop a professional football league in the country, the [[Trinidad and Tobago Football Association]] established the ''Semi-Professional League'' in 1996 to provide teams and players with a [[semi-professional]] environment, as they transitioned during a three-year period for life in a professional league. In particular, clubs were issued three important criteria that would be used for professional league admission:

* The incoming club must show proof of a home venue to stage matches, * The incoming club must provide a minimum wage of [[Trinidad and Tobago dollar|TT$]]2,000 per month to a contracted player, * The incoming club must have a minimum of sixteen (16) contracted players, a manager, and a physiotherapist.

After the final season of the ''Semi-Professional League'', several clubs were denied admission after failing to meet the aforementioned criteria. Clubs were also faced with supplying the professional league a bank draft guaranteeing TT$400,000 for admission.<ref name="champions" />

===Development (1999–2008)=== {| class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right; font-size:90%" |- |+ colspan="3" |TT Premier Football League Champions |- !width="85" | Season !width="135"| Champions |- | align="center" | 1999 | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | 2000 | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | 2001 | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | 2002 | [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |- | align="center" | 2003–04 | [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |- | align="center" | 2004 | [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] |- | align="center" | 2005 | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | 2006 | [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] |- | align="center" | [[2007 TT Pro League|2007]] | [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |- | align="center" | [[2008 TT Pro League|2008]] | [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |- | align="center" | [[2009 TT Pro League|2009]] | [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] |- | align="center" | [[2010–11 TT Pro League|2010–11]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | [[2011–12 TT Pro League|2011–12]] | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | [[2012–13 TT Pro League|2012–13]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | [[2013–14 TT Pro League|2013–14]] | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | [[2014–15 TT Pro League|2014–15]] | [[Central F.C.|Central]] |- | align="center" | [[2015–16 TT Pro League|2015–16]] | [[Central F.C.|Central]] |- | align="center" | [[2016–17 TT Pro League|2016–17]] | [[Central F.C.|Central]] |- | align="center" | [[2017 TT Pro League|2017]] | [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] |- | align="center" | [[2018 TT Pro League|2018]] | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |- | align="center" | [[2019–20 TT Pro League|2019–20]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | [[2023 TT Premier Football League|2023]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | [[2023–24 TT Premier Football League|2023–24]] | [[AC Port of Spain|Port of Spain]] |- | align="center" | [[2024–25 TT Premier Football League|2024–25]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- | align="center" | [[2025–26 TT Premier Football League|2024–25]] | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] |- |align="center" colspan="3" | {{further-text|<br />[[List of Trinidad and Tobago football champions|Trinidad and Tobago football champions]]}} |}

The [[Trinidad and Tobago]] all-[[professional]] league, called the ''Professional Football League'', was founded on 5 January 1999 with its inaugural season held in the same year to become the first professional football league in the Caribbean.<ref name="founded" /><ref name=firstcaribbean>{{cite news |title = Trinidad & Tobago Pro Football League |url = http://www.boatersenterprise.com/article/trinidad_tobago_pro_football_league.html |publisher = Richard Dickie (Sales Manager – TT Pro League) |date = 2009-01-12 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090721033449/http://www.boatersenterprise.com/article/trinidad_tobago_pro_football_league.html |archive-date = 2009-07-21 }}</ref> The eight inaugural members were [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]], [[Doc's Khelwalaas]], [[The Future Generation of Footballers|FUTGOF]], [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]], [[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic]], [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]], and [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]].<ref name="champions"/> In the first professional season, Defence Force continued a theme set during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, which saw the club win a record twentieth league championship.<ref name="champions" />

The Professional Football League would continue for two more seasons before a decision from its owner and founder, [[Jack Warner (football executive)|Jack Warner]], to withdraw funding for the league. Early league results suggested an improvement in player development with several domestic professionals named to starting roles in the [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|national team]]. Consequently, club owners agreed in March 2012 to develop a new professional league that would operate rather as a corporation, known as the ''T&T Pro League Limited'', owned by the member clubs and a continuation of the Professional Football League.<ref name=FCD>{{cite news |title = FCD goes to Trinidad for Hislop Tribute Cup |url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/fcd-goes-trinidad-hislop-tribute-cup |publisher = FC Dallas Media Relations |date = 2007-09-26 |access-date = 2009-10-16 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> One month later, the TT Pro League began with eight members: [[Arima Fire]], [[Morvant Caledonia United|Caledonia AIA]], [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]], [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]], [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]], [[South Starworld Strikers F.C.|South Starworld Strikers]], and defending champions [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]].

After establishing itself on the talents of homegrown players during its initial years, the league continued to see several of its stars move to leagues in Europe and North America. [[Collin Samuel]] was the first to leave when he signed for [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] in August 2002, and was joined at [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] a year later by [[Jason Scotland]]. [[Kenwyne Jones]], former standout for [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] and [[W Connection]], signed with [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]],<ref name=kenwynejonestosaints>{{cite news |title = Jones signs for Southampton |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/1138-jones-signs-for-southampton.html |publisher = Shaun Fuentes (TTFA Media) |date = 2004-04-25 |access-date = 2013-06-27 |archive-date = 2023-07-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230712062844/https://www.socawarriors.net/foreign-based/foreign-based-news/foreign-based-news/1138-jones-signs-for-southampton.html |url-status = live }}</ref> whereas [[Cornell Glen]] of [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] joined the [[MetroStars]] of [[Major League Soccer]] during the [[2004 Major League Soccer season|2004]] season.<ref name=glentomls>{{cite news |title = Metros sign Fire killer Cornell Glen |url = http://www.metrofanatic.com/story.jsp?ID=1774 |publisher = Metro Fanatic Press Release |date = 2004-03-30 |access-date = 2013-06-27 |archive-date = 2016-03-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230053/http://www.metrofanatic.com/story.jsp?ID=1774 |url-status = live }}</ref> The departures ultimately benefited the Pro League as the national team, composed of several [[2006 FIFA World Cup squads#Trinidad and Tobago|current and former Pro League players]], qualified for the nation's first [[FIFA World Cup]] in November 2005.<ref name=firstworldcup>{{cite news |title = Bahrain 0-1 Trinidad & Tobago |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4436066.stm |publisher = BBC Sport Football |date = 2005-11-16 |access-date = 2013-07-05 |archive-date = 2014-07-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4436066.stm |url-status = live }}</ref>

In the build-up to the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], community interest in local football was at an all-time high and the Pro League garnered praise for its development of homegrown [[professional]] footballers. As a result, the league implemented a series of marketing plans to establish itself as a viable professional league.<ref name=newmedia>{{cite news |title = TT Pro League Introduces New Media Technology |url = http://www.ttoc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=677:tt-pro-league-introduces-new-media-technology&catid=2:latest-news&Itemid=233 |publisher = Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee |date = 2006-10-02 |access-date = 2013-07-05 |archive-date = 2012-09-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120923215108/http://www.ttoc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=677:tt-pro-league-introduces-new-media-technology&catid=2:latest-news&Itemid=233 |url-status = live }}</ref> Two major initiatives were to increase league membership back to ten teams and establish a reserve league in [[2007 TT Pro League|2007]] for players that were previously on the bench during league matches to have a league of their own to show scouts their skills on the field.<ref>{{cite news |title = Wim Rijsbergen supports the Reserve League |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/3448-wim-rijsbergen-supports-the-reserve-league.html |publisher = Vinod Narwani (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2007-04-11 |access-date = 2010-06-30 |archive-date = 2019-12-16 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191216015044/https://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/3448-wim-rijsbergen-supports-the-reserve-league.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Recent years (2009–present)=== After the league's first decade, the TT Pro League has taken steps to internationalise the league in an effort to raise the level of its competition. One of the first moves in this regard was to align its calendar with those of major [[association football|football]] leagues around the world.<ref name=seasonchange>{{cite news |title = Season change for Pro League |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/8578-season-change-for-pro-league.html |publisher = Ian Prescott (T&T Express) |date = 2011-02-11 |access-date = 2011-06-19 |archive-date = 2015-09-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115807/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/8578-season-change-for-pro-league.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Prior to [[2011–12 TT Pro League|2011]], the Pro League operated on a spring-to-fall format which caused several conflicts with [[Domestic association football season|the FIFA calendar]]. Consequently, many of the league's top players abandoned their Pro League clubs during June and July to compete in international competitions, which made it difficult for the league to attract supporters for its matches. The schedule change has provided several players greater transfer opportunities to more prominent leagues.<ref name=seasondetails>{{cite news |title = Skeene: New TT Pro League season presents a golden opportunity |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/8934-skeene-new-tt-pro-league-season-presents-a-golden-opportunity.html |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2011-05-26 |access-date = 2011-06-19 |archive-date = 2020-01-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200126144248/https://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/8934-skeene-new-tt-pro-league-season-presents-a-golden-opportunity.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The second move was to expand club rosters from 25 to 35 players to provide clubs flexibility during the prolonged calendar featuring three rounds of league competition, five domestic cup competitions, [[CFU Club Championship]], and the [[CONCACAF Champions League]].<ref name=fifafivedayrule>{{cite news |title = TT Pro League, TTFF resolve FIFA 5-day ruling |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/6003-tt-pro-league-ttff-resolve-fifa-5-day-ruling.html |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2009-09-08 |access-date = 2012-12-29 |archive-date = 2023-07-12 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230712062904/https://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/6003-tt-pro-league-ttff-resolve-fifa-5-day-ruling.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

The Pro League has also started to market itself on the talents of its [[Trinidad and Tobago]] players, both experienced and young talents. Beginning in [[2009 TT Pro League|2009]], the league witnessed a return of several former [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|national team]] stars, including [[Stern John]],<ref name=sternjohn>{{cite news |title = North East confirms high profile Stern John signing |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/9339-north-east-confirms-high-profile-stern-john-signing.html |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2011-08-31 |access-date = 2011-09-10 |archive-date = 2012-10-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121006114855/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/9339-north-east-confirms-high-profile-stern-john-signing.html |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Russell Latapy]],<ref name=latapy>{{cite news |title = Latas wins on Caledonia debut |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5715-latas-wins-on-caledonia-debut.html |publisher = Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday) |date = 2009-07-23 |access-date = 2009-11-02 |archive-date = 2015-09-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115709/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5715-latas-wins-on-caledonia-debut.html |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Dennis Lawrence]],<ref name=dennislawrence>{{cite news |title = Dennis Lawrence heads to Jabloteh |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5874-dennis-lawrence-heads-to-jabloteh.html |publisher = C News |date = 2009-08-21 |access-date = 2013-07-05 |archive-date = 2015-09-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115713/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5874-dennis-lawrence-heads-to-jabloteh.html |url-status = live }}</ref> and [[Dwight Yorke]]. Several more Pro League players have made a significant impact on the league after spending a majority of their career on the twin-island Republic. In the [[2009 TT Pro League|2009]] season, [[Arnold Dwarika]] of [[United Petrotrin F.C.|United Petrotrin]] became the first Trinidadian player to score [[List of TT Pro League players with 100 or more goals|100 Pro League goals]]. Moreover, breakout stars such as [[Keon Daniel]], [[Cornell Glen]], [[Kevin Molino]], and [[Lester Peltier]] began making names for themselves in the Pro League before starring for the ''Soca Warriors'' and securing transfers to Asia, Europe, and North America. This exchange of top prospects for veterans to the Pro League signifies an increased international awareness and potential for popularity.

==Corporate structure== The TT Pro League is operated as a corporation and is owned by the ten member clubs known as ''T&T Pro League Limited''. The [[board of directors]], consisting of a representative from each club, sets out the policy to oversee league operations and selects a neutral [[chairman]] and [[chief executive officer|CEO]].<ref name="FCD" /> The chairman is elected by the board and cannot be associated with any of its member teams. In addition, the operational aspect of the league is carried out by a management team led by the CEO. The office employs [[marketing]], [[public relations]], media, [[accounting]], and [[Business administration|administrative]] staff. The [[Trinidad and Tobago Football Association]] is not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the Pro League, but has veto power during the elections of the chairman and chief executive officer, and when new rules are adopted by the league.

Each Pro League club is required to have a board of directors, chairman, chief executive officer, administrator, [[manager (association football)|manager]] and an assistant, marketing and public relations manager, equipment manager, [[physiotherapist]], and a youth development officer. In addition, clubs are also required to have a dedicated home venue, which is secure allowing for the collection of gate receipts and with a good playing surface. The size of the playing field must meet international standards and must be approved by the league's technical committee. As part of each club's financial stability off the field, clubs must submit a marketing plan that illustrates how the club will generate financial and physical support to meet monthly commitments.

Having started on such a corporate structure, the league has recently taken several steps to establish itself as one of the premier leagues in [[CONCACAF]]. Upon creation, the league's first goal was to establish better crowd attendances for its matches. With the construction of several football stadiums during the first few years of its development, the league created a foundation of fan support. More recently, the league has now set a new mission to create more local talent and make the players not just available for the [[Trinidad and Tobago]] audience, but for the world.<ref name=cnmg>{{cite news |title = Pro League goes live on CNMG |url = http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,78323.html |publisher = Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday |date = 2008-05-08 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |archive-date = 2008-06-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080606181844/http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,78323.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Competition format== {{further|List of TT Pro League seasons}}

===League competition=== There are twelve clubs in the TT Premier Football League. During the course of a league season (from September to May) each team competes against every other team twice (a double [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin system]]), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents. In the last nine matches of the regular season each team competes against every other team at neutral venues for a total of 27 games. Each match sees the winning team awarded [[Three points for a win|three points]], or in the case of a draw, the teams receive one point each. No points are awarded for a loss. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal, the [[goal difference]], followed by total goals scored, and then by head-to-head records between tying teams determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides [[Group tournament ranking system|rank]]. There is no automatic [[promotion and relegation]] between the Pro League and [[National Super League]], the second-level in the [[Trinidad and Tobago football league system]]. Club members of the Pro League vote to determine which, if any, applications for admission into the league will be permitted with preference given to the Super League champion.

===Cup competitions=== The TT Pro League organises five [[Single elimination tournament|knock-out]] cup competitions each league season: the [[Trinidad and Tobago League Cup|League Cup]] (commonly called the ''[[First Citizens Bank|First Citizens]] Cup''), the ''[[Digicel]] [[Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]]'', the ''[[Toyota|TOYOTA]] [[Trinidad and Tobago Classic|Classic]]'', the [[Trinidad and Tobago Goal Shield|Goal Shield]] (or for sponsorship reasons, the ''[[Lucozade Sport]] Goal Shield''), and the [[TTPFL Knockout Cup]], which was established in 2023. The League Cup and Pro Bowl, established in 2000 and 2004, respectively, are cup competitions open exclusively to Pro League clubs. The Pro League agreed to create another knock-out cup competition in [[2009 TT Pro League|2009]] for its clubs named the ''Goal Shield'' with a unique prize system.<ref>{{cite news |title = Lucozade Sport joins Pro League knockout scheme |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5544-lucozade-sport-joins-pro-league-knockout-scheme.html |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2009-05-27 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |archive-date = 2022-03-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220327090435/https://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5544-lucozade-sport-joins-pro-league-knockout-scheme.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The Classic, established in 2005, comprises a sixteen club knock-out competition open to all teams in the Pro League, with remaining positions filled by teams from the [[National Super League]]. In addition, Pro League clubs also compete in the annual [[Trinidad and Tobago Cup|FA Trophy]] organised by and named after the [[Trinidad and Tobago Football Association]]. The knockout tournament is the oldest football competition in [[Trinidad and Tobago]], dating back to 1927,<ref name="champions" /> and is open to all clubs affiliated with the Football Association.

The league introduced in 2012, the [[Trinidad and Tobago Charity Shield|Charity Shield]] to mark the start of each TT Pro League season. The Charity Shield contests the winners of the previous year's [[Trinidad and Tobago Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]] and the champions of the Pro League.<ref name=charityshield>{{cite news |title = Season kicks off with Digicel Charity Shield |url = http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1319:season-kicks-off-with-digicel-charity-shield&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=2 |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2012-09-04 |access-date = 2012-09-09 |archive-date = 2016-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120550/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1319:season-kicks-off-with-digicel-charity-shield&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=2 |url-status = live }}</ref> In the case that the league champion also is the holder of the Pro Bowl, then the top two teams in the previous league season compete for the Charity Shield. Generally regarded as below the [[Trinidad and Tobago Cup|FA Trophy]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago League Cup|First Citizens Cup]] in terms of importance, the fixture is a recognised football [[Super Cup]]. The TTPFL Knockout Cup was introduced in the 2023 season which includes teams from the TT Premier Football League and [[TT Super League]].

===Continental qualification=== Beginning with the [[2006 CFU Club Championship|2006]] season, qualification changed to allow the Pro League two automatic berths into the [[CFU Club Championship]]. In order to qualify for the annual subcontinental tournament, Pro League teams need to finish the previous league season either as champion or runners-up. Both teams enter the competition in the first round, which comprises a single [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] with each group winner advancing to the final round. Since the inception of the CFU Club Championship, the winner of the competition has qualified for the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]]. However, with the formation and restructure of the Champions' Cup into the [[CONCACAF Champions League|Champions League]] in [[2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League|2008–09]], the Caribbean gained two qualification places. Consequently, the top three Caribbean clubs in the annual Club Championship earn qualification into the Champions League.<ref name=championsleague>{{cite news |title = Qualifying Format Unveiled for 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League |url = http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4171 |series = CONCACAF Press Release |date = 2008-05-14 |access-date = 2008-07-02 |url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081226124256/http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4171 |archive-date = 2008-12-26 }}</ref> In the case any Caribbean club is precluded, it is supplanted by the fourth-place finisher from the Club Championship.<ref name=cclfourthplace>{{cite news |title = CONCACAF Executive Committee tightens stadium standards for next year's Champions League |url = http://www.concacaf.com/page/ConfederationDetail/0,,12813~1858355,00.html |author = Press Release (CONCACAF.com) |date = 2008-11-07 |access-date = 2008-11-12 |archive-date = 2012-05-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120509035954/http://www.concacaf.com/page/ConfederationDetail/0,,12813~1858355,00.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

During its first four seasons, the top three Caribbean clubs entered the Champions League in a preliminary round and with a win from the two-legged knockout tie entered the sixteen-team group stage (four groups of four), then followed by an eight-team home-and-away single elimination tournament. However, [[CONCACAF]] announced a new format beginning with its [[2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League|2012–13]] [[CONCACAF Champions League|Champions League]]. Under the new format, all teams begin play in the group stage (eight groups of three), which includes each year's top three Caribbean finishers.<ref name="newformat">{{cite web | url=http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2575174,00.html | title=Preliminary Round eliminated from CCL | author=Press Release (CONCACAF.com) | date=1 December 2012 |url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309070036/http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2575174,00.html | archive-date=9 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name=newccldraw>{{cite web|url=http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2797493,00.html|title=CCL Draw procedures unveiled|author=Press Release (CONCACAF.com)|date=4 June 2012|access-date=20 January 2013|archive-date=6 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606060104/http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2797493,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sponsorship== [[File:Digicel Pro League.png|thumb|right|Digicel Pro League sponsorship logo as used by media|200px]]

The TT Pro League has been sponsored under its current format under various [[title sponsor]]s. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they called the competition:

* 1999: [[Craven A]] (''Craven A Professional Football League'')<ref name=branda>{{cite news |title = $.5m 1st prize in Pro League |url = http://mpurcell.tripod.com/proffessional.htm |publisher = Shaun Fuentes (T&T Guardian) |date = 1999-01-23 |access-date = 2013-01-26 |archive-date = 2016-03-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305044339/http://mpurcell.tripod.com/proffessional.htm |url-status = live }}</ref> * 2000–2009: No sponsor (''Professional Football League'' (until 2001) then ''TT Pro League'') * 2009–2017: [[Digicel]] (''Digicel Pro League'')<ref name=digicelsponsor>{{cite news |title = Pro League welcome new sponsors |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/5444-pro-league-welcome-new-sponsors.html |publisher = Ian Prescott (T&T Express) |date = 2009-05-08 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |archive-date = 2009-05-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090511145013/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/tt-pro-league/5444-pro-league-welcome-new-sponsors.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=digicelsponsor2>{{cite news |title = Digicel to sponsor Pro League football |url = http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,99793.html |publisher = Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday) |date = 2009-05-08 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |archive-date = 2009-05-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090515011159/http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,99793.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Pro League has a number of official partners and suppliers. These partners include companies involved in [[car dealership]], financial services, food and [[beverage]], [[sports equipment|sports-wear and equipment]], and [[pharmaceuticals]].

==Finances== The TT Pro League has faced major obstacles towards its sustainability and viability as a [[professional]] [[Association football|football]] league within the Caribbean since its inception.<ref>{{cite news |title = Pro League fights back |url = http://www.wired868.com/2012/08/19/pro-league-fights-back/ |publisher = Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com) |date = 2012-08-19 |access-date = 2012-12-02 |archive-date = 2012-10-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121026234802/http://www.wired868.com/2012/08/19/pro-league-fights-back |url-status = live }}</ref> Among the main issues that ail many Pro League clubs, apart from insufficient sponsorship, is the lack of community football grounds. Although the country has five football stadiums, which were constructed to stage the [[2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship]], none of which are located within a club's respective community and are owned by the [[Politics of Trinidad and Tobago|Ministry of Sport]]. Consequently, clubs have found it difficult to obtain a significant portion of gate receipts from their home matches.<ref name=stadiumsgov>{{cite news |title = Punch for punch with Pro League 'CEO' Dexter Skeene |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/11235-punch-for-punch-with-pro-league-ceo-dexter-skeene.html |publisher = Inshan Mohammed |date = 2012-07-23 |access-date = 2012-12-02 |archive-date = 2012-10-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025074749/http://socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/11235-punch-for-punch-with-pro-league-ceo-dexter-skeene.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Several clubs have voiced their displeasure in playing home matches in various stadiums around the country and feel that having home grounds within their respective communities is a key to their financial viability.<ref name=localgrounds>{{cite news |title = Moment of truth for T&T Pro League |url = http://usportt.com/archives/20889 |publisher = Kern de Freitas (Trinidad Express) |date = 2012-07-04 |access-date = 2012-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414172634/http://usportt.com/archives/20889 |archive-date = 2014-04-14 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:left;margin-left:1em;float:right; font-size:90%" |- |+ colspan="3"|Shirt sponsorships |- ! Club ! Main sponsor(s) ! Annual value |- |[[Morvant Caledonia United]] |[[Neal & Massy]] and [[National Lotteries Control Board|NLCB]] |Undisclosed<ref name=nealandmassy>{{cite news |title = Caledonia in Transition Mode in 2006 |url = http://caledoniaaia.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=5 |publisher = Caledonia AIA |date = 2006-03-18 |access-date = 2009-08-10 |archive-date = 2013-01-18 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130118153546/http://caledoniaaia.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=5 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=nlcbcaledonia>{{cite news |title = Keon Daniel joins Caledonia AIA |url = http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,100199.html |publisher = Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday) |date = 2008-03-01 |access-date = 2010-05-31 |archive-date = 2009-05-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090517070528/http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,100199.html |url-status = live }}</ref> |- |[[Central F.C.|Central FC]] |[[Super Industrial Services]] |Undisclosed<ref name=siscentralfc>{{cite news |title = SIS now the main sponsors at Central FC |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/12887-sis-now-the-main-sponsors-at-central-fc.html |publisher = T&T Guardian |author = Nigel Simon |date = 2013-09-13 |access-date = 2013-09-13 |archive-date = 2020-11-24 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201124101444/https://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/12887-sis-now-the-main-sponsors-at-central-fc.html |url-status = live }}</ref> |- |[[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] |[[Japs Fried Chicken]] |Undisclosed |- |[[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic]] |[[Worldwide Safety]] |Undisclosed |- |[[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |[[National Lotteries Control Board|NLCB]] |Undisclosed<ref name=jabsponsor2014>{{cite news |title = Jabloteh announce sponsorship deals |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/13642-jabloteh-announce-sponsorship-deals.html |publisher = Soca Warriors Online |author = Randy Bando |date = 12 February 2014 |access-date = 12 February 2014 |archive-date = 10 March 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310075347/http://socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/13642-jabloteh-announce-sponsorship-deals.html |url-status = live }}</ref> |- |[[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|St. Ann's Rangers]] |[[PlusOne Fashion]] |US$75,000<ref name=plusone2>{{cite news |title = St. Ann's Rangers signs 6-year Multi Kit deal with Sportswear Company +ONE |url = http://ttproleague.com/index.php/general-news/domestic-news/st-ann-s-rangers/1665-st-ann-s-rangers-signs-6-year-multi-kit-deal-with-sportswear-company-one |publisher = TTProLeague.com |author = Randy Bando |date = 2013-07-10 |access-date = 2013-07-10 |archive-date = 2013-07-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130714092301/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/general-news/domestic-news/st-ann-s-rangers/1665-st-ann-s-rangers-signs-6-year-multi-kit-deal-with-sportswear-company-one |url-status = live }}</ref> |- |[[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |[[DirecTV]] |Undisclosed<ref name=directvconnection>{{cite news |title = DIRECTV partners with W Connection |url = http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1268:directv-partners-with-w-connection&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80 |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2012-07-14 |access-date = 2012-07-14 |archive-date = 2016-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093409/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1268:directv-partners-with-w-connection&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80 |url-status = live }}</ref> |- |colspan="3"|''Clubs without a shirt sponsor:'' [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]]{{#tag:ref|[[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]] are government sponsored clubs and cannot have corporate sponsorship agreements.|group="lower-alpha"}} |} Clubs have also encountered problems in lack of merchandising and television revenue. In fact, a majority of Pro League clubs fail to have a marketing plan and a lack presence within their respective communities, which has significantly impacted crowd attendances and ability for clubs to earn sufficient revenue. Consequently, the league has witnessed a high team turnover with seven clubs suspending their football operations and withdrawing from the Pro League during a four-year period, citing financial difficulties and inability to secure long-term sponsors.<ref name=facingcollapse>{{cite news |title = Pro League clubs face collapse |url = http://newsday.co.tt/sport/0,147661.html |publisher = Walter Alibey (T&T Newsday) |date = 2011-09-22 |access-date = 2012-12-21 |archive-date = 2014-04-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414234122/http://newsday.co.tt/sport/0,147661.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

In order to off-set the lack of revenue from match attendances, clubs may be sponsored by national and international companies. The first club to secure a corporate sponsor was [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] when the club signed an agreement with [[CL Financial]]. As a result, the club used its sponsorship to significantly expand its operations from a youth organisation into a [[professional]] football club. Several more Pro League clubs have agreed to title sponsorships to provide each club financial stability. The most prominent title sponsor agreement occurred when [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] ended their partnership with [[Trinidad Broadcasting Company|Vibe CT 105.1 FM]] in favour of an undisclosed deal with [[DirecTV]] in [[2012–13 TT Pro League|2012]].<ref name="directvconnection" /> In addition, clubs may also sell ad space on the front of their shirts, following the practice of international sport, specifically [[association football]]. There are currently seven clubs that have signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their shirts. The most lucrative shirt sponsorship occurred when [[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|St. Ann's Rangers]] announced a six-year agreement with [[PlusOne Fashion]] of the United States to supply training, travel, and match-day shirts valuing US$75,000 for each season of the six-year deal.<ref name="plusone2" />

==Clubs== {{See also|List of Trinidad and Tobago football champions}}

A total of 22 distinct clubs have played in the TT Premier Football League from its inception in 1999, but only six teams have won the league title. Two teams have also been members of the league every season since its inception ([[Defence Force F.C.]] and [[W Connection F.C.]]). Among the current ten clubs, eight ([[Club Sando F.C.|Club Sando F.C]], [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force F.C]], [[Morvant Caledonia United]], [[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic F.C]], [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police F.C]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh F.C]], [[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|St. Ann's Rangers F.C]], and [[W Connection F.C.]]) existed before the TT Premier Football League was formed. In October 2023, [[F.C. Phoenix|FC Phoenix]] was approved by the TTPFL and became the first Tobago based club, since the now defunct Tobago United did in the former TT Pro League, to compete in the league. For a list of league champions, club expansion and contraction, and top scorers for each season, see [[List of TT Pro League seasons]].

Twelve out of the thirteen clubs competed in the TT Premier Football League during the [[2024–25 TT Premier Football League|2024–25]] season:<ref>{{cite news |title = Digicel Pro League |url = http://www.ttproleague.com/ |publisher = TTProLeague.com |date = 2009-05-06 |access-date = 2009-08-01 |archive-date = 2009-08-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090822055536/http://www.ttproleague.com/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" |- ! Club ! Founded ! First joined ! Location ! Stadium ! Capacity ! Position in [[2023–24 TT Premier Football League|2023–24]] ! Top division titles ! Last title |- | [[Central F.C.|Central FC]] | align=center |2012 | align=center |[[2012–13 TT Pro League|2012]] | [[California, Trinidad and Tobago|California]] | [[Ato Boldon Stadium]] | align=center |10,000 | align=center |11th | align=center |3 | align=center |[[2016–17 TT Pro League|2016–17]] |- | [[Club Sando F.C.|Club Sando]] | align=center |1991 | align=center |[[2015–16 TT Pro League|2015]] | [[San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago|San Fernando]] | [[Mahaica Oval Pavilion]] | align=center |2,500 | align=center |4th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[Cunupia F.C.|Cunupia FC]] | align=center | | align=center |2019 | [[Cunupia]] | [[Larry Gomes Stadium]] | align=center |10,000 | align=center |10th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] | align=center |1972 | align=center |1999 | [[Chaguaramas, Trinidad|Chaguaramas]] | [[Hasely Crawford Stadium]] | align=center |27,000 | align=center |3rd | align=center |24 | align=center |[[2023 TT Premier Football League|2023]] |- | [[La Horquetta Rangers F.C.|La Horquetta Rangers]] | align=center |1979 | align=center |2006 | [[San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago|La Horquetta]] | [[La Horquetta Phase 2 Recreation Ground]] | align=center |27,000 | align=center |5th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[Morvant Caledonia United]] | align=center |1979 | align=center |2000 | [[Morvant]] | [[Larry Gomes Stadium]] | align=center |10,000 | align=center |7th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[F.C. Phoenix|FC Phoenix]] | align=center | | align=center |2024 | | [[Dwight Yorke Stadium]] | align=center | 7,500 | align=center |6th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic]] | align=center |1968 | align=center |1999 | [[Point Fortin]] | [[Mahaica Oval Pavilion]] | align=center |2,500 | align=center |8th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police FC]] | align=center |1975 | align=center |1999 | [[Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago|Saint James]] | [[Hasely Crawford Stadium]] | align=center |27,000 | align=center |2nd | align=center |3 | align=center |1994 |- | [[AC Port of Spain|Port of Spain]] | align=center |2001 | align=center |2002 | [[Arima|Port of Spain]] | [[Arima Velodrome]] | align=center |1,200 | align=center |1st | align=center |3 | align=center |[[2023–24 TT Premier Football League|2023–24]] |- | [[Prison Service F.C.|Prison Service]] | align=center | | align=center |2023 | [[Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago|Arouca]] |[[ Ato Boldon Stadium]] | align=center |10,000 | align=center |9th | align=center |0 | align=center |N/A |- | [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] | align=center |1974 | align=center |1999 | [[San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago|San Juan]] | [[Hasely Crawford Stadium|Ato Boldon Recreation Park]] | align=center |27,000 | align=center |N/A | align=center |4 | align=center |[[2008 TT Pro League|2008]] |- | [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] | align=center |1986 | align=center |1999 | [[Point Lisas]] | [[Manny Ramjohn Stadium]] | align=center |10,000 | align=center |N/A | align=center |6 | align=center |[[2018 TT Pro League|2018]] |}

===Honoured clubs=== {{Location map+ |Trinidad and Tobago |width=275 |float=right |caption=Location of the 2016–17 TT Pro League teams |places= {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.65 |long=-61.4667 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:-4px;left:0px">[[Morvant Caledonia United|Caledonia]]</div>|mark=Black pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.4 |long=-61.466667 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:4px;left:0px">[[Central F.C.|Central FC]]</div>|position=right|mark=Pink pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.683333 |long=-61.6333 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:3px;left:-50px">[[Defence Force F.C.|Defence]]</div>|mark=Yellow pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.5667 |long=-61.1333 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:11px;left:-21px">[[Ma Pau S.C.|Ma Pau Stars]]</div>|position=right|mark=Black pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.1678 |long=-61.675444 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:3px;left:0px">[[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin]]</div>|position=right|mark=Yellow pog.svg|marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.67 |long=-61.53 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:11px;left:-30px">[[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]]</div>|position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.65 |long=-61.45 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:18px;left:23px">[[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|Jabloteh]]</div>|position=left|mark=Green pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.65 |long=-61.45 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:27px;left:23px">[[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]</div>|position=left|mark=Blue 0080ff pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.39083 |long=-61.4744 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:7px;left:0px">[[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]]</div>|position=left|mark=Green 008000 pog.svg |marksize=6}} {{Location map~ |Trinidad and Tobago |lat=10.295 |long=-61.43 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;position:relative;top:7px;right:0px">[[Club Sando F.C.|Club Sando]]</div>|position=left|mark=Orange pog.svg |marksize=6}} }}

The TT Premier Football League follows the practice of [[association football]] in honouring clubs that have won multiple championships or other honours by the display of a representative [[Star (football badge)|golden star]] above the honoured club's badge. Each country's usage is unique and in [[Trinidad and Tobago]] the practice is to award one star for each of the following achievements:

* Winners of at least ten [[List of Trinidad and Tobago football champions|championship titles]] in Trinidad and Tobago, * Winners of the [[CFU Club Championship]] (1997–2022), * Winners of the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] (1962–2008) or [[CONCACAF Champions Cup|CONCACAF Champions League]] (2008–2023).

The following clubs have gold stars featured while playing in the TT Premier Football League and international competition.

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" |- !Club !Stars !Top division titles<br>(Pro League titles) !Caribbean Club Championships !CONCACAF Champions' Cup or Champions League |- |[[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force FC]] |{{center|[[Image:Gold Star.svg|20px]][[Image:Gold Star.svg|20px]][[Image:Gold Star.svg|20px]][[Image:Gold Star.svg|20px]]}} |{{center|23 (3)}} |{{center|1}} |{{center|2}} |}

[[Defence Force F.C.]] is currently the lone TT Premier Football League club to place gold stars above their badge during domestic and [[CONCACAF|international]] competitions. The ''Teteron Boys'' were awarded their first star in 1978 after winning the [[1978 CONCACAF Champions' Cup]]. Their most recent star was earned after winning the [[2001 CFU Club Championship]] in 2001. Although, [[Morvant Caledonia United]], [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public F.C]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh F.C]], [[United Petrotrin F.C.|United Petrotrin F.C]], and [[W Connection F.C.]] have won the Caribbean Club Championship, the clubs' badges have not featured gold stars.

==Stadiums==  {{main|List of TT Pro League stadiums}} Until the early 1980s, the [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|national team]] held its home matches in [[Queen's Park Oval]], generally thought of as the most picturesque and largest of the old [[cricket]] grounds in the [[West Indies]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Queen's Park Oval |url = http://www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/ground/59475.html |publisher = Cricinfo Staff |date = 2007-03-13 |access-date = 2009-08-03 |archive-date = 2010-02-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100204200836/http://www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/ground/59475.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The cricket ground is the country's oldest stadium and served as host to domestic football league matches for [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] during the league's inaugural season. After renovation in preparation of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], the capacity of the ground rose to 20,000 seats.

In 1996, [[Marvin Lee Stadium]] was built in [[Macoya]] and is housed together with the [[Dr. João Havelange Centre of Excellence]]. The stadium served as the home to former member of the Pro League, [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]], and holds approximately 6,000. In 2005, [[Jack Warner (football executive)|Jack Warner]] proposed that Marvin Lee Stadium install an [[artificial turf|artificial]] playing surface, citing that it would bring more credibility to the region. Two years later, through a developmental grant from [[FIFA]], Joe Public became the first Caribbean club to install astroturf, reportedly costing in excess of [[Trinidad and Tobago dollar|TT$]]8 million. Low-profile games, such as international friendlies against other islands in the Caribbean, are also played at the stadium.

However, it was not until 2001, with [[Trinidad and Tobago]] awarded the [[FIFA U-17 World Championship]], that four additional football stadiums were constructed for the event – [[Ato Boldon Stadium]] in [[Couva]], [[Larry Gomes Stadium]] in [[Malabar, Trinidad and Tobago|Malabar]], [[Manny Ramjohn Stadium]] in [[Marabella]], and [[Dwight Yorke Stadium]] in [[Bacolet]]. In addition, the National Stadium, renamed in honour of [[Hasely Crawford]], underwent major renovation for the competition and expanded capacity to 27,000 to become the largest stadium in the country. The stadium would stage a semi-final, third place, and final matches during the [[2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship]].

Shortly after the international tournament, several TT Pro League clubs moved into the newly constructed football stadiums. [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]], [[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]], and [[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|St. Ann's Rangers]] moved into the renovated [[Hasely Crawford Stadium]], [[Arima Fire]] relocated from [[Arima Municipal Stadium]] into Larry Gomes Stadium, and Manny Ramjohn Stadium served as the new venue for [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]]. Expansion club [[South Starworld Strikers F.C.|South Starworld Strikers]] played host to league matches in [[Ato Boldon Stadium]]. The stadium now is the home to [[Central F.C.|Central FC]] following the withdrawal of the Strikers from the league in 2006. Through the admission of [[Tobago United F.C.|Tobago United]] into the league for the 2003–04 season, the ''Tobago Boys'' played their home games in Dwight Yorke Stadium until they withdrew from the league in 2010. With the additions of the [[Mahaica Oval Pavilion]], [[Palo Seco Velodrome]], and [[Sangre Grande Regional Complex]], home of [[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic]], former club [[United Petrotrin F.C.|United Petrotrin]], and [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]], respectively, Pro League teams have played in sixteen football stadiums.

==Managers== {{main|List of TT Pro League managers}}

[[Manager (association football)|Managers]] in the TT Pro League are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection, and player acquisition. Their influence varies from club-to-club and is related to the ownership of the club and the relationship of the manager with fans.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Managers, directors and trust in professional football |first1=Seamus |last1=Kelly |first2=John |last2=Harris |journal=Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics |volume=13 |issue=3 |year=2010 |pages=489–502 |doi=10.1080/17430431003588150}}</ref> Caretaker appointments are managers that fill the gap between a managerial departure and a new appointment. Occasionally caretaker managers have gone on to secure a permanent managerial post after performing well as a caretaker.

The league's longest-serving manager was [[Jamaal Shabazz]], who was in charge of [[Morvant Caledonia United]] from April 2000 until he agreed to become the [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago national team]] co-manager in November 2012 (12 years and 236 days).<ref name=shabaazdepart>{{cite news |title = Shabazz named as joint-Head Coach of Warriors |url = http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1417:shabazz-named-as-joint-head-coach-of-warriors&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=2 |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2012-11-29 |access-date = 2012-12-03 |archive-date = 2016-03-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305224859/http://ttproleague.com/index.php?catid=1:domestic-news&id=1417:shabazz-named-as-joint-head-coach-of-warriors&itemid=2&option=com_content&view=article |url-status = live }}</ref> [[Stuart Charles-Fevrier]] is now the Pro League's longest-serving current manager having been in charge of the ''Savonetta Boys'' of [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] since June 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title = Stuart Charles returns to W Connection |url = http://socawarriors.net/archive/w_connection.htm |publisher = Ian Prescott (T&T Express) |date = 2004-06-02 |access-date = 2010-02-12 |archive-date = 2014-02-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222142020/http://socawarriors.net/archive/w_connection.htm |url-status = live }}</ref>

There have been eight managers that have won the Pro League. In addition, four foreign managers have secured the Pro League championship, which comprise two English ([[Terry Fenwick]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]], three wins, and [[Ricky Hill]], San Juan Jabloteh, one win), a [[Guyana|Guyanese]] ([[James McLean (Guyanese footballer)|James McLean]], [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]], one win), and a [[Saint Lucia]]n ([[Stuart Charles-Fevrier]], [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]], five wins). [[Michael McComie]] became the second [[Trinidad and Tobago]] manager to win the league, when he won the title with [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] in 2006. [[Derek King (footballer born 1980)|Derek King]] later became the third Trinidad and Tobago manager to claim the league title in [[2009 TT Pro League|2009]], also with Joe Public. In fact, King became the youngest manager to win the league title at 29 years, 198 days.<ref name=youngest>{{cite news |title=CONCACAF's ups and downs in '09 |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1152445.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231034621/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1152445.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 31, 2009 |work=FIFA.com |date=28 December 2009 |access-date=2010-05-15}}</ref> The current managers in the Pro League are:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;" |- ! Manager ! Club ! Appointed ! Time as manager ! class="unsortable"| Ref(s) |- |{{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} {{sortname|Stuart|Charles-Fevrier}} |[[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] |1 June 2004 |{{ayd|2004|06|01}} |{{center|<ref>{{cite news |title = Stuart Charles returns to W Connection |url = http://www.wconnectionsportsgroup.com/cms/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=95 |publisher = Ian Prescott (T&T Express) |date = 2004-06-02 |access-date = 2010-02-12 |archive-date = 2009-05-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090517065201/http://www.wconnectionsportsgroup.com/cms/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=95 |url-status = usurped }}</ref>}} |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Marvin|Gordon|Marvin Gordon (footballer)}} |[[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Derek|King|Derek King (footballer, born 1980)}} |[[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Richard|Hood|Richard Hood (football manager)}} |[[Police F.C. (Trinidad and Tobago)|Police]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Jamaal|Shabazz}} |[[Morvant Caledonia United]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Reynold|Carrington}} |[[Point Fortin Civic F.C.|Point Fortin Civic]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Keith|Jeffrey|Keith Jeffrey (footballer)}} |[[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] |10 September 2013 |{{ayd|2013|09|10}} |{{center|<ref name=jablotehback>{{cite news |title = Million dollar league: Pro League's back with big pay-out and new teams |url = http://wired868.com/2013/09/11/million-dollar-league-pro-leagues-back-with-big-pay-out-and-new-teams/ |publisher = Wired868.com |author = Lasana Liburd |date = 2013-09-11 |access-date = 2013-09-11 |archive-date = 2013-09-13 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130913233243/http://wired868.com/2013/09/11/million-dollar-league-pro-leagues-back-with-big-pay-out-and-new-teams/ |url-status = live }}</ref>}} |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Stern|John}} |[[Central F.C.|Central FC]] | | | |- |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} {{sortname|Adrian|Romain}} |[[St. Ann's Rangers F.C.|St. Ann's Rangers]] | | | |}

==Players==

===Foreign players and transfer regulations=== {{see also|List of foreign TT Pro League players|List of foreign TT Pro League goalscorers}}

TT Pro League clubs have almost complete freedom to sign whatever number and category of players they wish. There is no team or individual salary cap, no age restrictions other than those applied by general employment law, and no restrictions on the overall number of foreign players or nationalities. However, players can only be transferred during [[transfer windows]] that are set by the TT Pro League. The two current transfer windows run from the last day of the season to 15 September and between 15 December and 15 January. Player registrations cannot be exchanged outside these windows except under specific licence, usually on an emergency basis. In addition, Pro League clubs cannot sign [[free agents]] at any stage of the Pro League season outside of transfer windows.<ref name=freeagents>{{cite news |title = North East Stars eager for transfer window |url = http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/9969-north-east-stars-eager-for-transfer-window.html |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2011-11-12 |access-date = 2012-12-16 |archive-date = 2011-11-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111117001006/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/9969-north-east-stars-eager-for-transfer-window.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

The Pro League has been growing in popularity within the Caribbean and expanding across the [[Americas]]. In particular, over 200 foreign players have competed in the league, and with [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]]'s inclusion in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], the Pro League was represented for the first time with [[Cyd Gray]], [[Aurtis Whitley]], [[Anthony Wolfe]] (all of [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]]), and [[David Atiba Charles]] ([[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]]). Furthermore, two foreign players have claimed the ''Player of the Year'' award in league history. [[Charles Pollard (footballer)|Charles Pollard]] ([[Guyana]]) won the award in 2003–04 while playing for [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]], while [[Gefferson da Silva Goulart|Gefferson]] (Brazil) claimed the honour in 2005 with [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]].

;Notable foreign players ''This list of foreign players includes those who received international caps while playing for a TT Pro League club, made significant contributions to a TT Pro League club in terms of appearances or goals, and/or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for a TT Pro League club, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.'' {{col-begin-small}} {{col-5}} ; '''Africa''' * {{flagicon|Botswana}} [[Mogogi Gabonamong]] * {{flagicon|Botswana}} [[Kagiso Tshelametsi]] * {{flagicon|South Sudan}} [[Ladule Lako LoSarah|Ladulé Lako LoSarah]]

; '''Asia''' * {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Yu Hoshide]]

; '''Europe''' * {{flagicon|Scotland}} [[James Baird (footballer)|James Baird]]

{{col-5}} ; '''North & Central America,<br />Caribbean''' * {{flagicon|Antigua and Barbuda}} [[Peter Byers (footballer)|Peter Byers]] * {{flagicon|Antigua and Barbuda}} [[George Dublin]] * {{flagicon|Antigua and Barbuda}} [[Gayson Gregory]] * {{flagicon|Belize}} Mark Leslie * {{flagicon|Dominica}} [[Julian Wade]] * {{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Jonathan Faña]] * {{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Miguel Lloyd]] * {{flagicon|Grenada}} [[Jamal Charles (footballer)|Jamal Charles]] * {{flagicon|Grenada}} [[Shemel Louison]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Shawn Beveney]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Trayon Bobb]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Nigel Codrington]] {{col-5}} ; '''North & Central America,<br />Caribbean (cont.)''' * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Randolph Jerome]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Kayode McKinnon]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Walter Moore (footballer, born 1984)|Walter Moore]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Charles Pollard (footballer)|Charles Pollard]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Gregory Richardson]] * {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Pernell Schultz]] * {{flagicon|Haiti}} [[Pierre Richard Bruny]] * {{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Sean Fraser (Jamaican footballer)|Sean Fraser]] * {{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Jermaine Hue]] * {{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Roen Nelson]] * {{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Lovel Palmer]] * {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} [[Keith Gumbs]] * {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} George Isaac * {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} [[Gerard Williams (footballer)|Gerard Williams]] {{col-5}} ; '''North & Central America,<br />Caribbean (cont.)''' * {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Titus Elva]] * {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Kurt Frederick (footballer)|Kurt Frederick]] * {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Earl Jean]] * {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Elijah Joseph]] * {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Zaine Pierre]] * {{flagicon|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} [[Shandel Samuel]] * {{flagicon|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} [[Cornelius Stewart]] * {{flagicon|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} Kendall Velox * {{flagicon|Suriname}} [[Dimitrie Apai]] * {{flagicon|Suriname}} [[Stefano Rijssel]]

{{col-5}} ; '''South America''' * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[João Ananias Jordão Júnior|João Ananias]] * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Gefferson da Silva Goulart|Gefferson]] * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[José Maria Manoel]] * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[William Oliveira (footballer, born 1984)|William Oliveira]] * {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Ronaldo Viana]] * {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Alejandro Figueroa (footballer born 1978)|Alejandro Figueroa]] * {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Christian Viveros]] * {{flagicon|Venezuela}} [[Alvis Faure Díaz]] {{col-end}}

===Player wages and transfer records=== There is no team or individual salary cap in the TT Pro League. However, with the league's founding in 1999, the Pro League established a minimum player salary of [[Trinidad and Tobago dollar|TT$]]18,000 per year. As of the [[2013–14 TT Pro League|2013–14]] season, the [[Arithmetic mean|average]] Pro League player wage was between TT$30,000 to TT$50,000 per year; with top players earning up to TT$90,000,<ref name=proleagueavgwages>{{cite news |title = Best-paid athletes from 200 countries |url = http://wired868.com/2014/02/23/jamaicas-club-footballers-cry-foul-over-poor-salaries/ |author = Lasana Liburd |publisher = Wired868.com |date = 23 February 2014 |access-date = 23 February 2014 |archive-date = 25 February 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140225142215/http://wired868.com/2014/02/23/jamaicas-club-footballers-cry-foul-over-poor-salaries/ |url-status = live }}</ref> which is significantly lower than average salaries in the United States' [[Major League Soccer]] (TT$1,032,671)<ref name="sbnation.com">SBNation.com, MLS player salary release illustrates gains of the middle-class, May 16, 2013, https://www.sbnation.com/mls/2013/5/16/4327752/mls-player-salary-release-may-2012 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709194725/https://www.sbnation.com/mls/2013/5/16/4327752/mls-player-salary-release-may-2012 |date=2017-07-09 }}</ref> or [[Football League Two]], the fourth tier of English football (TT$419,182).<ref>Soccerlens, Finance in English Football: Wage Disparities Between the Divisions, April 30, 2012, http://soccerlens.com/finance-in-english-football-wage-disparities-between-the-divisions/92692/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515202953/http://soccerlens.com/finance-in-english-football-wage-disparities-between-the-divisions/92692/ |date=2014-05-15 }}</ref> Although individual player salaries are undisclosed, one known player's salary became available with the 4 May 2012 publication of [[ESPN The Magazine]]. The magazine stated that [[Shandel Samuel]] was the highest earning [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Vincentian]] athlete in 2011 with a salary of TT$40,000 while playing for [[Ma Pau SC|Ma Pau]].<ref name=highestpaidvincentian>{{cite news |title = Best-paid athletes from 200 countries |url = https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/7858737/floyd-mayweather-united-states-best-paid-athlete-espn-magazine |work = ESPN The Magazine |date = 4 May 2012 |access-date = 2 January 2013 |archive-date = 4 May 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120504192643/http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7858737/floyd-mayweather-united-states-best-paid-athlete-espn-magazine |url-status = live }}</ref>

There are few examples of [[Transfer (association football)|player transfer]] fees agreed upon between Pro League clubs in the domestic competition for a player to switch teams. One of the first transfers involving a Pro League player occurred when [[Carlos Edwards]] signed with [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]] of the [[The Football League|Football League]] for [[Pound sterling|£]]250,000 in 2000.<ref name=carlosedwards>{{cite news |title = Serving in the army gave Carlos strength for pitch battles |url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MILITARY+MIGHT%3B+Serving+in+the+army+gave+Carlos+strength+for+pitch...-a0187786934 |author = Rob Tanner |work = Sunday Mercury |date = 26 October 2008 |access-date = 6 July 2013 |archive-date = 5 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305033141/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MILITARY+MIGHT;+Serving+in+the+army+gave+Carlos+strength+for+pitch...-a0187786934 |url-status = live }}</ref> A year later, [[Dennis Lawrence]] joined Edwards at the [[Wales|Welsh]] club for £100,000 from [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]]. In 2004, in a common practice with Pro League player transfers, [[Kenwyne Jones]] was sold to [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] of the English [[Premier League]] for a nominal fee, reported to be £100,000,<ref name=kenwynefee>{{cite news |title = What happened to Clarke made me think |url = http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+What+happened+to+Clive+Clarke+made+me+sit+up+and+think+......-a0168198213 |author = Paul Gilder |publisher = The Journal |date = 31 August 2007 |access-date = 6 July 2013 |archive-date = 5 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305050351/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football:+What+happened+to+Clive+Clarke+made+me+sit+up+and+think+......-a0168198213 |url-status = live }}</ref> with the Pro League club claiming an additional sell-on clause. After Jones was sold to [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] of the [[Premier League]] in 2007 for £6 million, the ''Savonetta Boys'' secured a percentage of the transfer fee in the region of US$1 million.<ref name=jonessunderland>{{cite news |author=Louise Taylor |title=Keane pays out £6m for Jones |work=The Guardian |date=29 August 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/30/newsstory.sunderland |access-date=29 August 2007 |archive-date=4 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304145339/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/aug/30/newsstory.sunderland |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Top scorers=== {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:left;margin-left:1em;float:right; font-size:90%;" |+ All-Time Top Scorers in TT Pro League'''<br />'''(Pro League goals only)<ref name=alltimegoalscorers>{{cite news |title = Jorsling is Pro League all-time marksman |url = http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2015-04-27/jorsling-pro-league-all-time-marksman |work = Trinidad Guardian |date = 27 April 2015 |access-date = 3 April 2016 |archive-date = 10 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160310205025/http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2015-04-27/jorsling-pro-league-all-time-marksman |url-status = live }}</ref> |- !Rank !Player !Goals |- |rowspan=1 align=center|1 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Devorn|Jorsling}}'' ''' |{{center|144}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|2 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Kerry|Baptiste}}'' ''' |{{center|141}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|3 |{{flagicon|GUY}} {{sortname|Randolph|Jerome}} |{{center|112}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|4 |{{flagicon|TRI}} {{sortname|Arnold|Dwarika}} |{{center|103}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|5 |{{flagicon|LCA}} {{sortname|Earl|Jean}} |{{center|90}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|6 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Anthony|Wolfe}}'' ''' |{{center|79}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|7 |{{flagicon|TRI}} {{sortname|Aurtis|Whitley}} |{{center|76}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|8 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Andre|Toussaint}}'' ''' |{{center|68}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|9 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Jason|Marcano}}'' ''' |{{center|66}} |- |rowspan=1 align=center|10 |{{flagicon|TRI}} ''' ''{{sortname|Josimar|Belgrave}}'' ''' |{{center|64}} |- |colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |<small>('''Bold''' denotes players still playing in the TT Pro League)<br />(''Italics'' denotes players still playing professional football)</small> |} {{See also|List of top TT Pro League goal scorers by season|l1=Top TT Pro League goal scorers by season|TT Pro League Golden Boot|List of TT Pro League hat-tricks}}

Following each TT Pro League season, the [[TT Pro League Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] is awarded to the league's top goal scorer. [[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]] international, [[Devorn Jorsling]], holds the record for the most Pro League goals with 144, following the [[2015–16 TT Pro League|2015–16]] season.<ref name="alltimegoalscorers" /> Jorsling has finished among the top ten goal scorers in eight of the previous nine seasons in the Pro League.

Since the first Pro League season in 1999, 14 different players from seven different clubs have won or shared the top scorers title. [[Devorn Jorsling]] became the first player to claim the [[TT Pro League Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] on four occasions, after scoring the most goals in the [[2008 TT Pro League|2008]], [[2010–11 TT Pro League|2010–11]], [[2012–13 TT Pro League|2012–13]], and [[2014–15 TT Pro League|2014–15]] seasons. However, complete statistics and goal scoring records are unknown for the 1999 through 2003–04 seasons. [[Arnold Dwarika]] holds the record for most goals in a season (45) – for [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]].<ref name=dwarika>{{cite news |title = Dwarika Drifts Towards Coaching |url = http://ttffonline.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1562&Itemid=27 |publisher = Trinidad and Tobago Football Association |date = 2013-01-21 |access-date = 2013-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130217000111/http://ttffonline.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1562&Itemid=27 |archive-date = 2013-02-17 }}</ref> Dwarika's record came in the 1999 season, which consisted of 28 games. The first foreign player to claim the Golden Boot was [[Guyana|Guyanese]] international [[Randolph Jerome]] of [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]] who finished with 28 goals in 2003–04. Since then, four more foreign players have finished as the league's top scorer. [[Gefferson da Silva Goulart|Gefferson]] (Brazil) and [[Earl Jean]] ([[Saint Lucia]]) shared the title in 2005 with 14 goals each. Other foreign players to win include [[Roen Nelson]] ([[Jamaica]]) in [[2007 TT Pro League|2007]] and [[Peter Byers (footballer)|Peter Byers]] ([[Antigua and Barbuda]]) in [[2008 TT Pro League|2008]].

The [[List of TT Pro League highest scoring games|highest-scoring match]] to date in the Pro League occurred on 13 October 2004 when [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] defeated [[Tobago United F.C.|Tobago United]] 17–0.<ref name=highestscoring>{{cite news |title=Elva scores nine in 17-0 victory for W-Connection |url=http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/240-elva-scores-nine.html |work=T&T Express |date=15 October 2004 |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103930/http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/tt-pro-league/240-elva-scores-nine.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In fact, [[Saint Lucia]]n [[Titus Elva]] scored nine goals in the match and is currently the holder of the Pro League single game scoring record. [[Devorn Jorsling]] has the honour of achieving the most Pro League hat-tricks with nine. Former [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]], [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]], and current [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] winger [[Kerry Baptiste]] has scored three or more goals on eight occasions. In addition, Baptiste, Elva, and [[Jerren Nixon|Nixon]] are tied for the most league matches with four or more goals (a beaver-trick) with two.

==Awards== {{main|TT Pro League awards}}

===Player and manager awards=== In addition to the winner's trophy and the individual winner's medals awarded to players, the TT Pro League also [[TT Pro League awards|awards]] a number of position players and goalkeepers for their contributions to their club at the conclusion of each league season. The ''Player of the Year'' award is given to the most outstanding player of the previous season. To date five players to win the award have also guided their respective clubs to a league championship in the same season. In addition, the league also awards the best position players including the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward of the year.

The league also names the ''Manager of the Year'' award given to the top manager of each Pro League season. The title has been awarded to four foreign managers, which comprises two English ([[Ricky Hill]], [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]], and [[Terry Fenwick]], San Juan Jabloteh), a [[Guyana|Guyanese]] ([[James McLean (Guyanese footballer)|James McLean]], [[North East Stars F.C.|North East Stars]]), and a [[Saint Lucia]]n ([[Stuart Charles-Fevrier]], [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]]). On five occasions the award was given to the manager that led his club to a league championship. Most recently, [[Derek King (footballer born 1980)|Derek King]] became the third Trinidad and Tobago manager to claim the award with [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]]. King became the youngest manager to win the award at 29 years, 198 days.<ref name="youngest" /> Beginning in the [[2012–13 TT Pro League|2012–13]] season, the Pro League re-instituted the ''Manager'' and ''Player of the Month'' awards given to recognise the best adjudged Pro League manager and player during each month of the league season. The recipient is selected based on points accumulated from coaches, match commissioners, and the media.<ref name=playermanagermonth>{{cite news |title = Jorsling, Moe grabs respective Digicel Player, Coach of September/October |url = http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1407:jorsling-moe-grabs-respective-digicel-player-coach-of-septemberoctober&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=2 |publisher = Randy Bando (TTProLeague.com) |date = 2012-11-19 |access-date = 2012-11-19 |archive-date = 2016-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094313/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1407:jorsling-moe-grabs-respective-digicel-player-coach-of-septemberoctober&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=2 |url-status = live }}</ref>

==International performance== {{main|TT Pro League clubs in international competition}}

TT Pro League clubs have competed in international competitions organised through [[CONCACAF]] since 1999, when [[Joe Public F.C.|Joe Public]] qualified for the [[1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|Champions' Cup]]. However, the ''Eastern Lions'' qualified for the competition as a member of the Semi-Professional League the previous season. After its inaugural season, the first Pro League representatives ([[Defence Force F.C.|Defence Force]] and [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]]) qualified based on final league position for the [[2000 CFU Club Championship]]. Additionally, Joe Public entered the competition as the competition holders, eventually repeating as winners to qualify for the [[2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup]].

Although Pro League clubs have never won the [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]] (later renamed the ''[[CONCACAF Champions League|Champions League]]''), clubs have experienced success in its qualification tournament for Caribbean clubs. In fact, Pro League clubs have won the [[CFU Club Championship]] on nine occasions with an additional nine runners-up finishes — the most among any Caribbean football league. The ''Savonetta Boys'' of [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] have enjoyed the most success having been finalists on nine occasions including three wins, which represents the most among Caribbean clubs.

Based on results during the previous calendar year, the [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] (IFFHS) has the Pro League currently ranked 135th in the world and 12th in [[CONCACAF]].<ref name="iffhsrank" /><ref name="iffhsconcacaf" /> In addition, according to IFFHS in 2013, the highest ranked Pro League club in CONCACAF is [[W Connection F.C.|W Connection]] in 56th followed by [[San Juan Jabloteh F.C.|San Juan Jabloteh]] in 68th.<ref name=iffhsconcacafclub>{{cite news |title = Central and North America's Club of the 21st Century |url = http://www.iffhs.de/?10f4370ae43d04fb3c17ff3204a46817f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6f20f5350a |publisher = International Federation of Football History & Statistics |date = 2013-06-06 |access-date = 2013-06-06 |archive-date = 2013-05-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130502113303/http://www.iffhs.de/?10f4370ae43d04fb3c17ff3204a46817f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6f20f5350a |url-status = live }}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal bar|Association football|Trinidad and Tobago}}

*[[Trinidad and Tobago Football Association]] *[[Trinidad and Tobago national football team]]

==Notes== {{reflist |group=lower-alpha}}

==References== ;General *{{cite web |url=http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=700&Itemid=77|title=History of the TT Pro League|date=29 March 2011|access-date=1 June 2013}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.ttfootballhistory.com/|title=Trinidad and Tobago Football History|date=11 June 2013|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106215744/https://www.ttfootballhistory.com/|url-status=dead}}

;Specific {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == * [https://thettfa.com/leagues/ttpremierleague/ Official website] * [http://www.socawarriors.net/tt-pro-league.html Soca Warriors Online, TT Pro League]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tt Pro League}} [[Category:TT Pro League| ]] [[Category:Football leagues in Trinidad and Tobago|1]] [[Category:Top-level domestic association football leagues in the Caribbean|Trinidad and Tobago]] [[Category:Sports leagues established in 1999]] [[Category:1999 establishments in Trinidad and Tobago]] [[Category:Professional sports leagues in Trinidad and Tobago]]