| Founded | 5 January 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-05)[1] (as Professional Football League) (1999–2001) |
|---|---|
| First season | 1999 |
| Country | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | None |
| Domestic cup(s) | FA Trophy Digicel Charity Shield |
| League cup(s) | First Citizens Cup TOYOTA Classic Lucozade Sport Goal Shield Digicel Pro Bowl |
| International cup(s) | Regional CFU Club Shield CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Continental CONCACAF Champions Cup |
| Current champions | AC Port of Spain (2024–25) |
| Most championships | W Connection F.C. (6 titles) |
| Top goalscorer | Devorn Jorsling (144 goals) |
| Website | thettfa.com |
| Current:2024–25 TT Premier Football League | |
TheTT Premier Football League (formerly known as theTT Pro League) is theTrinidad and Tobago professional league forassociation football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division in theTrinidad and Tobago football league system. Contested by twelve clubs, the league is one of the world's few football leagues that does not operate on an automatic system ofpromotion and relegation. Seasons run from September to May, with teams playing 18 games each totaling 90 games in the season. Most games are played in the evenings of Fridays (Super Fridays) and Saturdays (Fiesta Saturdays), with a few games played during weekday evenings.[2] TTPFL clubs also play in other competitions, such as theFA Trophy,League Cup,TOYOTA Classic,Goal Shield, andPro Bowl against domestic clubs from other divisions; and against clubs from other countries in theCFU Club Shield,CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, and theCONCACAF Champions Cup.
The TT Premier Football League was founded as part of a need for a professional league to strengthen the country'snational team and improve the development of its domestic players.[3] The league is a corporation in which the member clubs act as shareholders and was inaugurated on 5 January 1999 under the nameProfessional Football League before switching to its current name after three years of existence.[1] The TT Premier Football League headquarters is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago inSt. Augustine. The league is currently sponsored byDigicel and thus officially known as theDigicel Pro League.[4] The TT Premier Football League is currently ranked 135th in the world and 12th inCONCACAF based on results during the previous calendar year according to theInternational Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).[5][6]
Since 1908, a total of 24 clubs have been crownedchampions of the Trinidad and Tobago football system. Of the 22 distinct clubs to have competed in the TT Pro League since its inception, six have won the title:W Connection (6 titles),San Juan Jabloteh (4),Defence Force andCentral FC (3),Joe Public (2), andNorth East Stars (2).[7] The current champions areW Connection after the club won their 6th Pro League title in the2018 season, 13 years after their first in 2004.[8]
Prior to the 1990s,professionalism inTrinidad and Tobago football was non-existent. In the 1970s and 1980s, theNational League, composed primarily ofamateur players, served as the highest level in theTrinidad and Tobago football league system. However, it was during this periodTrinidad and Tobago experienced an upswing in support forfootball following a rise in international success at both club andnational team levels. In 1985,Defence Force became only the second team fromCONCACAF to accomplish thecontinental treble after the club won the National League,FA Trophy, andCONCACAF Champions' Cup. Coupled with theStrike Squad's near qualification for the1990 FIFA World Cup, optimism for the country's first appearance at theWorld Cup was at an all-time high.[9]
However, the early 1990s marked a low point in Trinidad and Tobago football. In 1993, after a streak of poor performances, theSoca Warriors gave its worst ever showing in theCaribbean Cup after finishing a disappointing third, which was preceded with an early exit from its1994 FIFA World Cup qualification attempt. In response,Trinidadian and formerFIFAvice-presidentJack Warner spoke out describing Trinidad and Tobago's football as being "in shambles" and crowd support was "non-existent".
In November 1995,Jack Warner proposed that creating a professional league to produce homegrown players would function as the building blocks to qualify for the1998 FIFA World Cup in France. In fact, speaking on the importance of a professional league for the future, Warner stated "professionalism or death for Trinidad and Tobago football." His proposal, which included the clubs' ability to operate as business entities, laid the foundation forprofessional football inTrinidad and Tobago.
In order to successfully develop a professional football league in the country, theTrinidad and Tobago Football Association established theSemi-Professional League in 1996 to provide teams and players with asemi-professional environment, as they transitioned during a three-year period for life in a professional league. In particular, clubs were issued three important criteria that would be used for professional league admission:
After the final season of theSemi-Professional League, several clubs were denied admission after failing to meet the aforementioned criteria. Clubs were also faced with supplying the professional league a bank draft guaranteeing TT$400,000 for admission.[7]
| Season | Champions | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Defence Force | |
| 2000 | W Connection | |
| 2001 | W Connection | |
| 2002 | San Juan Jabloteh | |
| 2003–04 | San Juan Jabloteh | |
| 2004 | North East Stars | |
| 2005 | W Connection | |
| 2006 | Joe Public | |
| 2007 | San Juan Jabloteh | |
| 2008 | San Juan Jabloteh | |
| 2009 | Joe Public | |
| 2010–11 | Defence Force | |
| 2011–12 | W Connection | |
| 2012–13 | Defence Force | |
| 2013–14 | W Connection | |
| 2014–15 | Central | |
| 2015–16 | Central | |
| 2016–17 | Central | |
| 2017 | North East Stars | |
| 2018 | W Connection | |
| 2019–20 | Defence Force | |
| 2023 | Defence Force | |
| 2023–24 | Port of Spain | |
Further information: Trinidad and Tobago football champions | ||
TheTrinidad and Tobago all-professional league, called theProfessional Football League, was founded on 5 January 1999 with its inaugural season held in the same year to become the first professional football league in the Caribbean.[1][10] The eight inaugural members wereDefence Force,Doc's Khelwalaas,FUTGOF,Joe Public,Point Fortin Civic,Police,San Juan Jabloteh, andW Connection.[7] In the first professional season, Defence Force continued a theme set during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, which saw the club win a record twentieth league championship.[7]
The Professional Football League would continue for two more seasons before a decision from its owner and founder,Jack Warner, to withdraw funding for the league. Early league results suggested an improvement in player development with several domestic professionals named to starting roles in thenational team. Consequently, club owners agreed in March 2012 to develop a new professional league that would operate rather as a corporation, known as theT&T Pro League Limited, owned by the member clubs and a continuation of the Professional Football League.[11] One month later, the TT Pro League began with eight members:Arima Fire,Caledonia AIA,Defence Force,Joe Public,North East Stars,San Juan Jabloteh,South Starworld Strikers, and defending championsW Connection.
After establishing itself on the talents of homegrown players during its initial years, the league continued to see several of its stars move to leagues in Europe and North America.Collin Samuel was the first to leave when he signed forFalkirk in August 2002, and was joined atDundee United a year later byJason Scotland.Kenwyne Jones, former standout forJoe Public andW Connection, signed withSouthampton,[12] whereasCornell Glen ofSan Juan Jabloteh joined theMetroStars ofMajor League Soccer during the2004 season.[13] The departures ultimately benefited the Pro League as the national team, composed of severalcurrent and former Pro League players, qualified for the nation's firstFIFA World Cup in November 2005.[14]
In the build-up to the2006 FIFA World Cup, community interest in local football was at an all-time high and the Pro League garnered praise for its development of homegrownprofessional footballers. As a result, the league implemented a series of marketing plans to establish itself as a viable professional league.[15] Two major initiatives were to increase league membership back to ten teams and establish a reserve league in2007 for players that were previously on the bench during league matches to have a league of their own to show scouts their skills on the field.[16]
After the league's first decade, the TT Pro League has taken steps to internationalise the league in an effort to raise the level of its competition. One of the first moves in this regard was to align its calendar with those of majorfootball leagues around the world.[17] Prior to2011, the Pro League operated on a spring-to-fall format which caused several conflicts withthe FIFA calendar. Consequently, many of the league's top players abandoned their Pro League clubs during June and July to compete in international competitions, which made it difficult for the league to attract supporters for its matches. The schedule change has provided several players greater transfer opportunities to more prominent leagues.[18] The second move was to expand club rosters from 25 to 35 players to provide clubs flexibility during the prolonged calendar featuring three rounds of league competition, five domestic cup competitions,CFU Club Championship, and theCONCACAF Champions League.[19]
The Pro League has also started to market itself on the talents of itsTrinidad and Tobago players, both experienced and young talents. Beginning in2009, the league witnessed a return of several formernational team stars, includingStern John,[20]Russell Latapy,[21]Dennis Lawrence,[22] andDwight Yorke. Several more Pro League players have made a significant impact on the league after spending a majority of their career on the twin-island Republic. In the2009 season,Arnold Dwarika ofUnited Petrotrin became the first Trinidadian player to score100 Pro League goals. Moreover, breakout stars such asKeon Daniel,Cornell Glen,Kevin Molino, andLester Peltier began making names for themselves in the Pro League before starring for theSoca Warriors and securing transfers to Asia, Europe, and North America. This exchange of top prospects for veterans to the Pro League signifies an increased international awareness and potential for popularity.
The TT Pro League is operated as a corporation and is owned by the ten member clubs known asT&T Pro League Limited. Theboard of directors, consisting of a representative from each club, sets out the policy to oversee league operations and selects a neutralchairman andCEO.[11] The chairman is elected by the board and cannot be associated with any of its member teams. In addition, the operational aspect of the league is carried out by a management team led by the CEO. The office employsmarketing,public relations, media,accounting, andadministrative staff. TheTrinidad and Tobago Football Association is not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the Pro League, but has veto power during the elections of the chairman and chief executive officer, and when new rules are adopted by the league.
Each Pro League club is required to have a board of directors, chairman, chief executive officer, administrator,manager and an assistant, marketing and public relations manager, equipment manager,physiotherapist, and a youth development officer. In addition, clubs are also required to have a dedicated home venue, which is secure allowing for the collection of gate receipts and with a good playing surface. The size of the playing field must meet international standards and must be approved by the league's technical committee. As part of each club's financial stability off the field, clubs must submit a marketing plan that illustrates how the club will generate financial and physical support to meet monthly commitments.
Having started on such a corporate structure, the league has recently taken several steps to establish itself as one of the premier leagues inCONCACAF. Upon creation, the league's first goal was to establish better crowd attendances for its matches. With the construction of several football stadiums during the first few years of its development, the league created a foundation of fan support. More recently, the league has now set a new mission to create more local talent and make the players not just available for theTrinidad and Tobago audience, but for the world.[23]
There are twelve clubs in the TT Premier Football League. During the course of a league season (from September to May) each team competes against every other team twice (a doubleround-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents. In the last nine matches of the regular season each team competes against every other team at neutral venues for a total of 27 games. Each match sees the winning team awardedthree points, or in the case of a draw, the teams receive one point each. No points are awarded for a loss. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal, thegoal difference, followed by total goals scored, and then by head-to-head records between tying teams determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decidesrank. There is no automaticpromotion and relegation between the Pro League andNational Super League, the second-level in theTrinidad and Tobago football league system. Club members of the Pro League vote to determine which, if any, applications for admission into the league will be permitted with preference given to the Super League champion.
The TT Pro League organises fiveknock-out cup competitions each league season: theLeague Cup (commonly called theFirst Citizens Cup), theDigicelPro Bowl, theTOYOTAClassic, theGoal Shield (or for sponsorship reasons, theLucozade Sport Goal Shield), and theTTPFL Knockout Cup, which was established in 2023. The League Cup and Pro Bowl, established in 2000 and 2004, respectively, are cup competitions open exclusively to Pro League clubs. The Pro League agreed to create another knock-out cup competition in2009 for its clubs named theGoal Shield with a unique prize system.[24] The Classic, established in 2005, comprises a sixteen club knock-out competition open to all teams in the Pro League, with remaining positions filled by teams from theNational Super League. In addition, Pro League clubs also compete in the annualFA Trophy organised by and named after theTrinidad and Tobago Football Association. The knockout tournament is the oldest football competition inTrinidad and Tobago, dating back to 1927,[7] and is open to all clubs affiliated with the Football Association.
The league introduced in 2012, theCharity Shield to mark the start of each TT Pro League season. The Charity Shield contests the winners of the previous year'sPro Bowl and the champions of the Pro League.[25] In the case that the league champion also is the holder of the Pro Bowl, then the top two teams in the previous league season compete for the Charity Shield. Generally regarded as below theFA Trophy andFirst Citizens Cup in terms of importance, the fixture is a recognised footballSuper Cup. The TTPFL Knockout Cup was introduced in the 2023 season which includes teams from the TT Premier Football League andTT Super League.
Beginning with the2006 season, qualification changed to allow the Pro League two automatic berths into theCFU Club Championship. In order to qualify for the annual subcontinental tournament, Pro League teams need to finish the previous league season either as champion or runners-up. Both teams enter the competition in the first round, which comprises a singleround-robin with each group winner advancing to the final round. Since the inception of the CFU Club Championship, the winner of the competition has qualified for theCONCACAF Champions' Cup. However, with the formation and restructure of the Champions' Cup into theChampions League in2008–09, the Caribbean gained two qualification places. Consequently, the top three Caribbean clubs in the annual Club Championship earn qualification into the Champions League.[26] In the case any Caribbean club is precluded, it is supplanted by the fourth-place finisher from the Club Championship.[27]
During its first four seasons, the top three Caribbean clubs entered the Champions League in a preliminary round and with a win from the two-legged knockout tie entered the sixteen-team group stage (four groups of four), then followed by an eight-team home-and-away single elimination tournament. However,CONCACAF announced a new format beginning with its2012–13Champions League. Under the new format, all teams begin play in the group stage (eight groups of three), which includes each year's top three Caribbean finishers.[28][29]
The TT Pro League has been sponsored under its current format under varioustitle sponsors. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they called the competition:
As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Pro League has a number of official partners and suppliers. These partners include companies involved incar dealership, financial services, food andbeverage,sports-wear and equipment, andpharmaceuticals.
The TT Pro League has faced major obstacles towards its sustainability and viability as aprofessionalfootball league within the Caribbean since its inception.[32] Among the main issues that ail many Pro League clubs, apart from insufficient sponsorship, is the lack of community football grounds. Although the country has five football stadiums, which were constructed to stage the2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship, none of which are located within a club's respective community and are owned by theMinistry of Sport. Consequently, clubs have found it difficult to obtain a significant portion of gate receipts from their home matches.[33] Several clubs have voiced their displeasure in playing home matches in various stadiums around the country and feel that having home grounds within their respective communities is a key to their financial viability.[34]
| Club | Main sponsor(s) | Annual value |
|---|---|---|
| Morvant Caledonia United | Neal & Massy andNLCB | Undisclosed[35][36] |
| Central FC | Super Industrial Services | Undisclosed[37] |
| North East Stars | Japs Fried Chicken | Undisclosed |
| Point Fortin Civic | Worldwide Safety | Undisclosed |
| San Juan Jabloteh | NLCB | Undisclosed[38] |
| St. Ann's Rangers | PlusOne Fashion | US$75,000[39] |
| W Connection | DirecTV | Undisclosed[40] |
| Clubs without a shirt sponsor:Defence Force andPolice[a] | ||
Clubs have also encountered problems in lack of merchandising and television revenue. In fact, a majority of Pro League clubs fail to have a marketing plan and a lack presence within their respective communities, which has significantly impacted crowd attendances and ability for clubs to earn sufficient revenue. Consequently, the league has witnessed a high team turnover with seven clubs suspending their football operations and withdrawing from the Pro League during a four-year period, citing financial difficulties and inability to secure long-term sponsors.[41]
In order to off-set the lack of revenue from match attendances, clubs may be sponsored by national and international companies.The first club to secure a corporate sponsor wasSan Juan Jabloteh when the club signed an agreement withCL Financial. As a result, the club used its sponsorship to significantly expand its operations from a youth organisation into aprofessional football club. Several more Pro League clubs have agreed to title sponsorships to provide each club financial stability. The most prominent title sponsor agreement occurred whenW Connection ended their partnership withVibe CT 105.1 FM in favour of an undisclosed deal withDirecTV in2012.[40]
In addition, clubs may also sell ad space on the front of their shirts, following the practice of international sport, specificallyassociation football. There are currently seven clubs that have signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their shirts. The most lucrative shirt sponsorship occurred whenSt. Ann's Rangers announced a six-year agreement withPlusOne Fashion of the United States to supply training, travel, and match-day shirts valuing US$75,000 for each season of the six-year deal.[39]
A total of 22 distinct clubs have played in the TT Premier Football League from its inception in 1999, but only six teams have won the league title. Two teams have also been members of the league every season since its inception (Defence Force F.C. andW Connection F.C.). Among the current ten clubs, eight (Club Sando F.C,Defence Force F.C,Morvant Caledonia United,Point Fortin Civic F.C,Police F.C,San Juan Jabloteh F.C,St. Ann's Rangers F.C, andW Connection F.C.) existed before the TT Premier Football League was formed. In October 2023,FC Phoenix was approved by the TTPFL and became the first Tobago based club, since the now defunct Tobago United did in the former TT Pro League, to compete in the league. For a list of league champions, club expansion and contraction, and top scorers for each season, seeList of TT Pro League seasons.
Twelve out of the thirteen clubs competed in the TT Premier Football League during the2024–25 season:[42]
| Club | Founded | First joined | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Position in2023–24 | Top division titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central FC | 2012 | 2012 | California | Ato Boldon Stadium | 10,000 | 11th | 3 | 2016–17 |
| Club Sando | 1991 | 2015 | San Fernando | Mahaica Oval Pavilion | 2,500 | 4th | 0 | N/A |
| Cunupia FC | 2019 | Cunupia | Larry Gomes Stadium | 10,000 | 10th | 0 | N/A | |
| Defence Force | 1972 | 1999 | Chaguaramas | Hasely Crawford Stadium | 27,000 | 3rd | 24 | 2023 |
| La Horquetta Rangers | 1979 | 2006 | La Horquetta | La Horquetta Phase 2 Recreation Ground | 27,000 | 5th | 0 | N/A |
| Morvant Caledonia United | 1979 | 2000 | Morvant | Larry Gomes Stadium | 10,000 | 7th | 0 | N/A |
| FC Phoenix | 2024 | 6th | 0 | N/A | ||||
| Point Fortin Civic | 1968 | 1999 | Point Fortin | Mahaica Oval Pavilion | 2,500 | 8th | 0 | N/A |
| Police FC | 1975 | 1999 | Saint James | Hasely Crawford Stadium | 27,000 | 2nd | 3 | 1994 |
| Port of Spain | 2001 | 2002 | Port of Spain | Arima Velodrome | 1,200 | 1st | 3 | 2023–24 |
| Prison Service | 2023 | Arouca | 9th | 0 | N/A | |||
| San Juan Jabloteh | 1974 | 1999 | San Juan | Ato Boldon Recreation Park | 27,000 | N/A | 4 | 2008 |
| W Connection | 1986 | 1999 | Point Lisas | Manny Ramjohn Stadium | 10,000 | N/A | 6 | 2018 |
The TT Premier Football League follows the practice ofassociation football in honouring clubs that have won multiple championships or other honours by the display of a representativegolden star above the honoured club's badge. Each country's usage is unique and inTrinidad and Tobago the practice is to award one star for each of the following achievements:
The following clubs have gold stars featured while playing in the TT Premier Football League and international competition.
| Club | Stars | Top division titles (Pro League titles) | Caribbean Club Championships | CONCACAF Champions' Cup or Champions League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defence Force FC |  | 23 (3) | 1 | 2 |
Defence Force F.C. is currently the lone TT Premier Football League club to place gold stars above their badge during domestic andinternational competitions. TheTeteron Boys were awarded their first star in 1978 after winning the1978 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Their most recent star was earned after winning the2001 CFU Club Championship in 2001. Although,Morvant Caledonia United,Joe Public F.C,San Juan Jabloteh F.C,United Petrotrin F.C, andW Connection F.C. have won the Caribbean Club Championship, the clubs' badges have not featured gold stars.
Until the early 1980s, thenational team held its home matches inQueen's Park Oval, generally thought of as the most picturesque and largest of the oldcricket grounds in theWest Indies.[43] The cricket ground is the country's oldest stadium and served as host to domestic football league matches forDefence Force andSan Juan Jabloteh during the league's inaugural season. After renovation in preparation of the2007 Cricket World Cup, the capacity of the ground rose to 20,000 seats.
In 1996,Marvin Lee Stadium was built inMacoya and is housed together with theDr. João Havelange Centre of Excellence. The stadium served as the home to former member of the Pro League,Joe Public, and holds approximately 6,000. In 2005,Jack Warner proposed that Marvin Lee Stadium install anartificial playing surface, citing that it would bring more credibility to the region. Two years later, through a developmental grant fromFIFA, Joe Public became the first Caribbean club to install astroturf, reportedly costing in excess ofTT$8 million. Low-profile games, such as international friendlies against other islands in the Caribbean, are also played at the stadium.
However, it was not until 2001, withTrinidad and Tobago awarded theFIFA U-17 World Championship, that four additional football stadiums were constructed for the event –Ato Boldon Stadium inCouva,Larry Gomes Stadium inMalabar,Manny Ramjohn Stadium inMarabella, andDwight Yorke Stadium inBacolet. In addition, the National Stadium, renamed in honour ofHasely Crawford, underwent major renovation for the competition and expanded capacity to 27,000 to become the largest stadium in the country. The stadium would stage a semi-final, third place, and final matches during the2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship.
Shortly after the international tournament, several TT Pro League clubs moved into the newly constructed football stadiums.Defence Force,Police,San Juan Jabloteh, andSt. Ann's Rangers moved into the renovatedHasely Crawford Stadium,Arima Fire relocated fromArima Municipal Stadium into Larry Gomes Stadium, and Manny Ramjohn Stadium served as the new venue forW Connection. Expansion clubSouth Starworld Strikers played host to league matches inAto Boldon Stadium. The stadium now is the home toCentral FC following the withdrawal of the Strikers from the league in 2006. Through the admission ofTobago United into the league for the 2003–04 season, theTobago Boys played their home games in Dwight Yorke Stadium until they withdrew from the league in 2010. With the additions of theMahaica Oval Pavilion,Palo Seco Velodrome, andSangre Grande Regional Complex, home ofPoint Fortin Civic, former clubUnited Petrotrin, andNorth East Stars, respectively, Pro League teams have played in sixteen football stadiums.
Managers in the TT Pro League are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection, and player acquisition. Their influence varies from club-to-club and is related to the ownership of the club and the relationship of the manager with fans.[44] Caretaker appointments are managers that fill the gap between a managerial departure and a new appointment. Occasionally caretaker managers have gone on to secure a permanent managerial post after performing well as a caretaker.
The league's longest-serving manager wasJamaal Shabazz, who was in charge ofMorvant Caledonia United from April 2000 until he agreed to become theTrinidad and Tobago national team co-manager in November 2012 (12 years and 236 days).[45]Stuart Charles-Fevrier is now the Pro League's longest-serving current manager having been in charge of theSavonetta Boys ofW Connection since June 2004.[46]
There have been eight managers that have won the Pro League. In addition, four foreign managers have secured the Pro League championship, which comprise two English (Terry Fenwick,San Juan Jabloteh, three wins, andRicky Hill, San Juan Jabloteh, one win), aGuyanese (James McLean,North East Stars, one win), and aSaint Lucian (Stuart Charles-Fevrier,W Connection, five wins).Michael McComie became the secondTrinidad and Tobago manager to win the league, when he won the title withJoe Public in 2006.Derek King later became the third Trinidad and Tobago manager to claim the league title in2009, also with Joe Public. In fact, King became the youngest manager to win the league title at 29 years, 198 days.[47] The current managers in the Pro League are:
| Manager | Club | Appointed | Time as manager | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Stuart Charles-Fevrier | W Connection | 1 June 2004 | 20 years, 319 days | |
 Marvin Gordon | Defence Force | |||
| Derek King | North East Stars | |||
| Richard Hood | Police | |||
| Jamaal Shabazz | Morvant Caledonia United | |||
| Reynold Carrington | Point Fortin Civic | |||
| Keith Jeffrey | San Juan Jabloteh | 10 September 2013 | 11 years, 218 days | |
| Stern John | Central FC | |||
| Adrian Romain | St. Ann's Rangers |
TT Pro League clubs have almost complete freedom to sign whatever number and category of players they wish. There is no team or individual salary cap, no age restrictions other than those applied by general employment law, and no restrictions on the overall number of foreign players or nationalities. However, players can only be transferred duringtransfer windows that are set by the TT Pro League. The two current transfer windows run from the last day of the season to 15 September and between 15 December and 15 January. Player registrations cannot be exchanged outside these windows except under specific licence, usually on an emergency basis. In addition, Pro League clubs cannot signfree agents at any stage of the Pro League season outside of transfer windows.[50]
The Pro League has been growing in popularity within the Caribbean and expanding across theAmericas. In particular, over 200 foreign players have competed in the league, and withTrinidad and Tobago's inclusion in the2006 FIFA World Cup, the Pro League was represented for the first time withCyd Gray,Aurtis Whitley,Anthony Wolfe (all ofSan Juan Jabloteh), andDavid Atiba Charles (W Connection). Furthermore, two foreign players have claimed thePlayer of the Year award in league history.Charles Pollard (Guyana) won the award in 2003–04 while playing forNorth East Stars, whileGefferson (Brazil) claimed the honour in 2005 withW Connection.
This list of foreign players includes those who received international caps while playing for a TT Pro League club, made significant contributions to a TT Pro League club in terms of appearances or goals, and/or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for a TT Pro League club, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
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There is no team or individual salary cap in the TT Pro League. However, with the league's founding in 1999, the Pro League established a minimum player salary ofTT$18,000 per year. As of the2013–14 season, theaverage Pro League player wage was between TT$30,000 to TT$50,000 per year; with top players earning up to TT$90,000,[51] which is significantly lower than average salaries in the United States'Major League Soccer (TT$1,032,671)[52] orFootball League Two, the fourth tier of English football (TT$419,182).[53] Although individual player salaries are undisclosed, one known player's salary became available with the 4 May 2012 publication ofESPN The Magazine. The magazine stated thatShandel Samuel was the highest earningVincentian athlete in 2011 with a salary of TT$40,000 while playing forMa Pau.[54]
There are few examples ofplayer transfer fees agreed upon between Pro League clubs in the domestic competition for a player to switch teams. One of the first transfers involving a Pro League player occurred whenCarlos Edwards signed withWrexham of theFootball League for£250,000 in 2000.[55] A year later,Dennis Lawrence joined Edwards at theWelsh club for £100,000 fromDefence Force. In 2004, in a common practice with Pro League player transfers,Kenwyne Jones was sold toSouthampton of the EnglishPremier League for a nominal fee, reported to be £100,000,[56] with the Pro League club claiming an additional sell-on clause. After Jones was sold toSunderland of thePremier League in 2007 for £6 million, theSavonetta Boys secured a percentage of the transfer fee in the region of US$1 million.[57]
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devorn Jorsling | 144 |
| 2 | Kerry Baptiste | 141 |
| 3 |  Randolph Jerome | 112 |
| 4 | Arnold Dwarika | 103 |
| 5 | Earl Jean | 90 |
| 6 | Anthony Wolfe | 79 |
| 7 | Aurtis Whitley | 76 |
| 8 | Andre Toussaint | 68 |
| 9 | Jason Marcano | 66 |
| 10 | Josimar Belgrave | 64 |
| (Bold denotes players still playing in the TT Pro League) (Italics denotes players still playing professional football) | ||
Following each TT Pro League season, theGolden Boot is awarded to the league's top goal scorer.Defence Force andTrinidad and Tobago international,Devorn Jorsling, holds the record for the most Pro League goals with 144, following the2015–16 season.[58] Jorsling has finished among the top ten goal scorers in eight of the previous nine seasons in the Pro League.
Since the first Pro League season in 1999, 14 different players from seven different clubs have won or shared the top scorers title.Devorn Jorsling became the first player to claim theGolden Boot on four occasions, after scoring the most goals in the2008,2010–11,2012–13, and2014–15 seasons. However, complete statistics and goal scoring records are unknown for the 1999 through 2003–04 seasons.Arnold Dwarika holds the record for most goals in a season (45) – forJoe Public.[59] Dwarika's record came in the 1999 season, which consisted of 28 games. The first foreign player to claim the Golden Boot wasGuyanese internationalRandolph Jerome ofNorth East Stars who finished with 28 goals in 2003–04. Since then, four more foreign players have finished as the league's top scorer.Gefferson (Brazil) andEarl Jean (Saint Lucia) shared the title in 2005 with 14 goals each. Other foreign players to win includeRoen Nelson (Jamaica) in2007 andPeter Byers (Antigua and Barbuda) in2008.
Thehighest-scoring match to date in the Pro League occurred on 13 October 2004 whenW Connection defeatedTobago United 17–0.[60] In fact,Saint LucianTitus Elva scored nine goals in the match and is currently the holder of the Pro League single game scoring record.Devorn Jorsling has the honour of achieving the most Pro League hat-tricks with nine. FormerJoe Public,North East Stars, and currentSan Juan Jabloteh wingerKerry Baptiste has scored three or more goals on eight occasions. In addition, Baptiste, Elva, andNixon are tied for the most league matches with four or more goals (a beaver-trick) with two.
In addition to the winner's trophy and the individual winner's medals awarded to players, the TT Pro League alsoawards a number of position players and goalkeepers for their contributions to their club at the conclusion of each league season. ThePlayer of the Year award is given to the most outstanding player of the previous season. To date five players to win the award have also guided their respective clubs to a league championship in the same season. In addition, the league also awards the best position players including the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward of the year.
The league also names theManager of the Year award given to the top manager of each Pro League season. The title has been awarded to four foreign managers, which comprises two English (Ricky Hill,San Juan Jabloteh, andTerry Fenwick, San Juan Jabloteh), aGuyanese (James McLean,North East Stars), and aSaint Lucian (Stuart Charles-Fevrier,W Connection). On five occasions the award was given to the manager that led his club to a league championship. Most recently,Derek King became the third Trinidad and Tobago manager to claim the award withJoe Public. King became the youngest manager to win the award at 29 years, 198 days.[47] Beginning in the2012–13 season, the Pro League re-instituted theManager andPlayer of the Month awards given to recognise the best adjudged Pro League manager and player during each month of the league season. The recipient is selected based on points accumulated from coaches, match commissioners, and the media.[61]
TT Pro League clubs have competed in international competitions organised throughCONCACAF since 1999, whenJoe Public qualified for theChampions' Cup. However, theEastern Lions qualified for the competition as a member of the Semi-Professional League the previous season. After its inaugural season, the first Pro League representatives (Defence Force andW Connection) qualified based on final league position for the2000 CFU Club Championship. Additionally, Joe Public entered the competition as the competition holders, eventually repeating as winners to qualify for the2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
Although Pro League clubs have never won theCONCACAF Champions' Cup (later renamed theChampions League), clubs have experienced success in its qualification tournament for Caribbean clubs. In fact, Pro League clubs have won theCFU Club Championship on nine occasions with an additional nine runners-up finishes — the most among any Caribbean football league. TheSavonetta Boys ofW Connection have enjoyed the most success having been finalists on nine occasions including three wins, which represents the most among Caribbean clubs.
Based on results during the previous calendar year, theInternational Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has the Pro League currently ranked 135th in the world and 12th inCONCACAF.[5][6] In addition, according to IFFHS in 2013, the highest ranked Pro League club in CONCACAF isW Connection in 56th followed bySan Juan Jabloteh in 68th.[62]
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