Caribbean Selects

Caribbean Selects

Full name	Caribbean Selects
Founded	1995 (as Caribbean Stars Soccer Club)
Ground	Lamport Stadium
Capacity	9,600
League	Canadian Soccer League
2006	5th, did not make playoffs
Home colours Away colours

Caribbean Selects was a Canadian soccer team that began its inception in 1995 as a founding member of the Canadian International Soccer League. The club ceased operations in 1997 after the merger of the CISL with the Canadian National Soccer League. The team was a part of the larger Caribbean Stars multi-sport organisation, created by and for members of the Caribbean community in Greater Toronto. In 2006, Caribbean Stars promotions returned to the professional scene with the launching of the Caribbean Selects franchise which competed in the Canadian Soccer League. After one season in the CSL, and finishing in the bottom half of the International Division the team ceased operations at the professional level.

The team played their home games at Birchmount Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. The team's colors were black, red, and white.

History

The club was formed in 1995 and went by the name of the Caribbean Stars Soccer Club. The founders were Aldwyn McGill, and Noel Denny. The Caribbean Stars became one of the founding members of the Canadian International Soccer League (Puma League). Aldwyn McGill would also serve in the capacity of head coach for the club's inarguable run. The team's home venue was located at Lamport Stadium. Notable alumni that featured in the club's early history were Chris Handsor, Elvis Thomas, Bayete Smith, Rennie Martin, and St. Lucian internationals Éric Fanis, and Edwin Ferdinand.

In their debut season in the CISL the club reached the playoffs semifinals, but were defeated by Toronto Italia. At the conclusion of the regular season the Caribbean Stars participated in the indoor winter season, where the team reached the semifinals again. The organization's most successful tenure was the following indoor winter season winning the 1996/1997 CISL Indoor Championship. Though the club found success during the 1997 season the club withdrew from the Puma League at the conclusion of the season; as the league folded and the remaining teams joined the Canadian National Soccer League.

Following the demise of the Puma League the Caribbean Stars Soccer Club was renamed the Caribbean Stars Community Promotions. The change converted the soccer club into a Sport and Cultural promotional team. The organization became involved in promoting international matches, local tournaments, annual cultural events, and launching their own Online News and Sports Portal website and Stars Soccer Review magazine.^[1] On March 16, 2006 the Caribbean Stars along with former Brampton Stallions manager Neil Palmer announced plans to field a team in the Canadian Soccer League for the 2006 season.^[2] Aldwyn McGill was appointed Director of Operations while Corcel Blair Jr. was named technical director.^[3] On March 20, 2006 the team changed its name to the Caribbean Selects, due to a conflict with the Windsor Border Stars over the similarity of both the teams name which would have caused media confusion.^[4]

They announced Birchmount Stadium as their home venue, and were placed in the International Division. The Selects made their CSL debut on May 28, 2006 in a match against the North York Astros, and the match concluded in a draw.^[5] Their first victory can on June 17, 2006 in a 2-1 victory over Windsor.^[6] Unfortunately in their debut season the team struggled to achieve results, and as result finished last in the International Division. At the conclusion of the season the league awarded the Selects with the CSL Fair Play award as the most disciplined team throughout the season.^[7][8] After one season in the CSL the Caribbean Selects withdrew from the league.^[9]

2006 squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Ramon McIntosh 2 MF Greg McKenzie 4 DF Quincy Cooper 5 DF Kevon Chambers 6 DF Ajani Stapleton 7 DF George Salesman 8 MF Julius Ceasar 9 FW Steven Craig 10 MF Mohamed Kanu 11 MF Simon Mais 13 DF David Palmer 14 FW Osman Samura

No. Position Player 17 MF Kamal Mude 18 MF Corcel Blair 19 MF Keon Cordice 19 MF Fuad Mude 20 FW Maxime Donaval 21 DF James Lewis 22 DF John Lewis 23 FW Dwayne Osbourne 24 MF Jason Garcia 26 MF Douglas Sereti 28 DF Kevin Turnbull

Head coaches

Years	Name	Nation
1995-1996	McGill, Aldwyn Aldwyn McGill	Trinidad and Tobago
2006	Blair Jr., CorcelCorcel Blair Jr.	Jamaica

Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Regular Season	Playoffs
2006	"1"	CSL	5th, International	Did not qualify

References

1. McGill, Aldwyn. "Caribbeanstars.com... Your Online News & Sports Portal, featuring The Caribbean Stars.". www.caribbeanstars.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
2. "April 23, 2006 CPSL story on Caribbean Selects (from CPSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
3. Fanfair, Ron. "March 16, 2006 CPSL Caribbean Selects news (from Sharenews.com)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
4. "Caribbeanstars.com... Your Online News & Sports Portal, featuring The Caribbean Stars.". www.caribbeanstars.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
5. "May 28, 2006 CSL Week 2 results (from CSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
6. "Caribbean Selects were the Stars in their First Win".
7. Glover, Robin. "October 22, 2006 CSL Awards Banquet (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
8. "October 22, 2006 CSL Award Winners (from CSL press release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
9. "CSL removes Caribbean Selects". The Voyageurs. Retrieved 2016-01-05.