Humble Lion and Tru Juice St. Catherine secure Jamaica Premier League promotion

Humble Lion have returned to the Jamaica Premier League after one season outside the country’s top division, while Tru Juice St. Catherine also gained promotion and will make their first appearance in the national top-flight competition.

Tru Juice St. Catherine advanced by beating Vere 4-3 on penalties after the two legs of their JFF Championship semi-final both finished 0-0. Vere, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2019, will have to wait longer for a return.

Humble Lion joined Tru Juice in the Premier League after defeating Soccer Club Browns Town 5-3 on penalties at Drax Hall. The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, with Browns Town going ahead inside the opening minute through Romario Gibbs before Aaron Weir equalised for Humble Lion in the 57th minute.

Neither side found a winner before the shoot-out. Browns Town missed their opening penalty, and Humble Lion converted under pressure to seal their comeback to the top tier.

Humble Lion’s camp pointed to the club’s rebuilding effort, saying the squad was largely made up of young players, with only four or five members remaining from last season. The team also said it had played with determination to regain its place in the Premier League.

The club said a new president took office in October with two main goals: to restore Humble Lion’s role as a social institution in the central Clarendon community and to win promotion back to the Premier League. After the semi-final victory, the club said both objectives had been achieved.

Humble Lion and Tru Juice St. Catherine will meet in Saturday’s JFF Championship final.