‘Becoming a Caribbean force’

MONTEGO BAY United chairman Yoni Epstein says a plethora of missing familiar faces at the club is down to investing in long-term growth.

A number of normally key players will not be returning to the club for the 2025-26 Jamaica Premier League season.

Owayne Gordon, who was last season’s captain, national player with 12 caps, Demario Phillips, Peter-Lee Vassell, who signed ahead of the playoffs, and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, Aaron Enil, are among those to move on.

“MBU is looking at its long-term growth as it grows into becoming a Caribbean force in football,” said Epstein when questioned about the changes.

Gordon is rumoured to headed to Dunbeholden FC, while Phillips is to return to Mount Pleasant Academy FC.

“I am feeling pleased to be back at home, ready to win the title again and compete in the Concacaf tournament,” said Phillips in a brief statement.

During his time at MBU, Gordon was the top goal scorer.

When rejoining the team in the second half of the season in January last year, Gordon stated at that time that his heart has always been with MBU, and there was no place like home.

Phillips, who quickly became the lynchpin in MBU’s midfield, will be rejoining Mount Pleasant for a third stint. He won a title with the club in 2023 and was on the squad in 2024 when they lost to Cavaliers FC in the final.

Enil, on the other hand, who had a year to go on his contract, suggested his split with MBU was more about differences between himself and management.

MUTUAL AGREEMENT

“I was not happy with some of the things in the club, and I chose to walk away. I spoke to the bosses and we decided to go our separate ways,” said Enil, who will now be joining Racers United.

Brian Brown and Shaniel Thomas will remain with MBU, while Shamour Smith from Mount Pleasant will be added to the squad.

Meanwhile, Everton ‘Lunch’ McKenzie, the team’s long-time mascot, said he welcomes the changes.

“All who gone don’t surprise me. Them shouldn’t come back either, because them leave the team already where them born and grown here, so long time them fi gone man. Mi glad them gone because they carry bad vibes on the team,” Lunch expressed.

“That’s why mi haffi love Orville Powell (former) MBU owner because he wouldn’t want them back,” added Lunch, who believes because the players won a trophy already, they are not interested in football, only money.

In June, Epstein stated that the club will not be resting on its laurels in the off-season, knowing all too well that for it to achieve its goals, there will need to be improvements.

At the time, he said, “In the summer, we need to look to add some players that are going to bring that level of quality into the squad. We need to take a holistic approach on how our mix of players are. [From] The older experience to the young players and see how we can start to infuse more of the youngsters that are at MBU.

In agreement with the move, Lunch said that it is important to invest in younger players.

“Invest in the youth them and lef’ the old foot them. Groom the youth because they don’t know how trophy feel and smell. The older ones was taking up space,” said Lunch.

MBU (75 points) ended the season fourth, falling one place from their regular season third-place finish after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Mount Pleasant in the semi-finals and 4-2 in the third-place playoff to Arnett Gardens.

The result led them to make their first change of the pre-season, the hiring of former Arnett coach, Xavier Gilbert.