In a significant managerial shift within the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Dwight Smith has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the beleaguered Spanish Town Police FC. This appointment follows the acquisition of the club by his former employers, Old Harbour United, prompting a strategic leadership change that sees Smith replacing Brian Spencer. The club is currently entrenched at the very bottom of the 14-team league table, having secured a mere eight points from 14 matches with a record of just two victories and ten defeats, making the avoidance of relegation the paramount objective.
Smith, who celebrates his 40th birthday this Saturday, confronts the formidable challenge with a blend of realism and resolve. In a recent statement, he acknowledged the precariousness of the situation, emphasizing the immediate need to ‘get points on the board.’ However, his assessment of the squad’s inherent quality remains optimistic. Smith has indicated that reinforcements are anticipated, with players from the successful Old Harbour United squad, last season’s St Catherine title winners, expected to bolster the roster.
Highlighting the competitive nature of the JPL, Smith argued that the disparity in quality across the league is not insurmountable. ‘The gap is not that wide. If you win three games, you are up the table,’ he noted, framing the task as one of effective man-management and motivation. His strategy will focus on rallying the existing talent and extracting peak performance from the players.
The incoming coach brings a wealth of experience to this critical role. His coaching pedigree includes a stint as assistant coach at Vere United (Jamalco) and a period as head coach of their women’s team. Smith rose to prominence as the assistant to Vassell Reynolds during Kingston College’s triumphant 2024 campaign, where they secured both the Manning Cup and the prestigious all-island Olivier Shield titles. His academic qualifications are robust, holding Concacaf B and C licences and being on the cusp of completing his UEFA C Licence.
Smith’s first test in this new chapter will be a crucial match against Dunbeholden FC this Sunday, marking the JPL’s return to action for the new year. This fixture represents the starting point for Spanish Town Police’s urgent quest to climb away from the bottom of the table and secure their Premier League status.