VICTORY VICTORY VITAL VITAL FOR FOR KINGSTON KINGSTON KINGSTON COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE

TODAY, THE National Stadium comes alive as St George’s College (STGC) face Kingston College (KC) in the first-ever North Street battle in Manning Cup finals history.

While both teams have prepared well and, no doubt, are raring to go, I do believe a win is essential for Kingston College for reasons I will itemise shortly.

An experienced strategist, Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell and his charges have been on form in defence, midfield, and attack! They’ve looked increasingly impressive and more technically sharp as the season progressed. They didn’t start as favourites, but what a great run they’ve had on the final stretch! The Manning Cup title would be gravy for this team.

But truth be told, another STGC title doesn’t make for great headlines because it’s all too familiar. We haven’t had a new Manning Cup champion besides St George’s College or Jamaica College since 2006. That sort of duopoly, while exciting for their respective old boys, doesn’t exactly increase the competition’s fan base. The daCosta Cup has been far more enthralling and unpredictable, with eight different winners over the last 11 seasons.

Despite this, a win for St George’s College would have significance. First, it hands them immense bragging rights on North Street for one full season. Second, Bertis would surpass Miguel Coley in the number of Manning Cup titles won (they currently have five apiece). Last, this would be STGC’s 22nd Manning Cup title, and their 32nd urban football title, which would put them level with Jamaica College in having the most urban football silverware.

For Kingston College, the stakes are high, and the knock on the door has been getting louder and louder. Here are three solid reasons Kingston College need to win the Manning Cup tonight.

1. THE KINGSTON COLLEGE DROUGHT SEEMS ENDLESS

Let’s face it, Kingston College has a long tradition of sporting excellence and has amassed more sporting trophies than any other institution in Jamaica’s history. They are high-school sporting royalty, and outside of Calabar during track and field season, KC boasts the most vociferous and loyal fan base across Jamaica.

While they have won the Walker Cup and the Champions Cup (formerly Super Cup) in the last three seasons, the big one – the Manning Cup – continues to elude them. It has been all of 32 years since KC placed the Manning Cup trophy in their cabinet. For a school of their sporting stature, it’s been far too long in the wilderness.

2. THEY’RE FAVOURITES

Kingston College started last season and this season as heavy favourites in the urban area and are essentially the team to beat. They earned the tag from as early as the first round, which ended with 10 wins, no losses, and conceding a single goal. St George’s College were also quite impressive and won eight of their first 10 games, but the pressure resides on the purple side of North Street for the last two seasons.

3. LUDLOW BERNARD

This one needs little explanation. A lot is at stake. Coach Ludlow Bernard is under a bit of pressure here and needs a Manning Cup title as much as KC does. Bernard and team must be credited for spotting and developing players, but he has made some questionable decisions, especially where player rotation is concerned.

Ludlow has done well to be chasing his second title in five seasons, first for Wolmer’s and now with Kingston College. While he has had Walker Cup and Champions Cup successes over the last five years, the Manning Cup continues to elude him. Sealing a victory over the experienced Bertis Bell would vindicate him while placing him unquestionably among the top schoolboy football coaches in Jamaica.

Anticipation is high, and fans are waiting to celebrate. Based on current form, these two teams are evenly matched, but one is under more pressure than the other. May the best team win!

One love.