Tivoli Gardens coach Andrew Price vows to rebuild after Nickalia Fuller joins Mount Pleasant

Tivoli Gardens head coach Andrew Price has voiced deep regret at Nickalia Fuller’s switch to Jamaica Premier League rivals Mount Pleasant Academy, while stressing that the west Kingston club will press on with its youth pathway.

Fuller, 21, has ended a four-year spell at the club where he grew up. Across those campaigns he netted 16 times and set up eight goals. That club form also led to a Reggae Boyz invitation, and he found the net once in four caps for Jamaica.

Price said the exit of such a locally produced attacker weighs heavily on everyone linked to Tivoli Gardens.

“You will be disappointed losing a player like that, especially if he is home-grown. But, at the same time, you have to allow players to make decisions for themselves, and he believes that it is in his best interest that he goes to Mount Pleasant, and we thank him for the services that he provided for Tivoli,” said Price.

He stressed that the club’s priority remains spotting and shaping fresh prospects from the area.

“But, at the end of the day, individuals have to make decisions that they think is productive for themselves. So what we have to do is continue unearthing other talents,” Price said.

“One thing for sure is that there is a lot of talent in west Kingston and, as much as we were able to discover young Fuller and he got the opportunity to shine, then there are other youngsters within the community who can do just the same. So it is about continuing the whole developmental process with the youngsters in the communities.”

Price succeeded long-serving coach Jerome Waite when last season closed and now faces the job of refreshing Tivoli Gardens, who placed 10th in the Jamaica Premier League. Even with the setback, he framed transfers as routine in football and said the club must adjust to how the sport works today.

“It wouldn’t be the first and I am certain that it would not be the last, because players move from their community teams to other teams over the years, and Fuller’s situation is not different,” he said.

“We are disappointed that we have lost him but, when you look at some of the clubs out there and what they can offer compared to other clubs, sometimes it is just about a commercial decision for both the club and player. So life goes on and we just have to continue fighting and continue unearthing other talents.”