Hyde wants to remain at Harbour View despite relegation

Head Coach Lenworth Hyde says he wants the opportunity to lead Harbour View back to the Jamaica Premier League after the Stars of the East suffered relegation for the first time in 31 years.

Hyde, who took charge in January, was the club’s third coach of the season following the departures of Byjeon Thomas and Vassell Reynolds.

Known as “Teacher” from his playing days, Hyde said he did not have enough time to properly implement his system after inheriting a struggling team midway the season.

“Yes, I will meet with management, but I would like to be here. Yes, definitely, and we need time to build character in the players,” a sombre-looking Hyde said. “I would like to be here. I’ve been here before and we can come back.”

Former kingpins Santos and Boys’ Town faded into obscurity after being relegated and Hyde was asked by the
Jamaica Observer if he feared Harbour View could suffer the same fate.

“No, man. As long as I am there, that won’t happen. They just need to set the tone, enforce the rules and regulations, and bring in players who can follow the standards,” Hyde said.

Hyde replaced Reynolds on January 28 after the latter resigned following three months in charge. Reynolds had succeeded Thomas, who was dismissed in November with Harbour View sitting in 12th place on eight points from eight games.

When Hyde arrived, Harbour View were in 13th spot on 15 points. However, he was unable to spark a turnaround and became the coach at the helm as the club’s 31-year stay in the top flight came to an end.

Formed in 1974, Harbour View are five-time league champions, lifting titles in 2000, 2007, 2010, 2013, and most recently in 2022.

However, the club has struggled for consistency since that triumph. After Ludlow Bernard resigned in 2023, Harbour View surprisingly appointed Fitness Coach Jason “Buju” Henry as head coach in July 2024, a move which raised eyebrows in local football circles.

Henry lasted only three months before veteran Coach Sydney McFarlane took over on an interim basis. McFarlane was later replaced by Thomas ahead of the 2025 season.

Harbour View lost 18 of their 39 matches this season, winning only nine and drawing 12. They finished 13th on 39 points, second from bottom, after narrowly avoiding relegation the previous year when they ended 11th, just three points above relegated Humble Lion.

The Stars of the East will now enter the Jamaica Football Federation Championship as they begin their push for a quick return to top-flight football. However, Harbour View now face the same difficult road that swallowed former giants Santos and Boys’ Town, proving that promotion back to the Premier League is never guaranteed.

HYDE…I will meet with management, but I would like to be here (Photo: Garfield Robinson)