ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda’s Football Association has appointed of William “Billy” McEwan of Scotland as its new technical director on a two-year contract.

The 58-year-old Scot, who arrived here earlier this month to take up his stint, has been charged with helping the country become a dominant force in Caribbean football with the ultimate objective of reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

McEwan said he believed he had a valuable contribution to make to football in the eastern Caribbean nation.

“I have a wealth of experience as a player, wealth of experience as a coach/manager. Those are the qualities I feel I can bring to this association and its players at all levels,” McEwan told a press conference.

He said in his short time in the country he had “found the passion, commitment, desire and hunger” among the players he has seen.

Everton Gonsalves, president of the ABFA, told McEwan that football was “the number one sport in Antigua and Barbuda” and encouraged him to do his best to accelerate the island’s growth.
“We do love football. This executive is made up of past and current players so you will find our interaction on a daily basis mind boggling,” Gonsalves said.

“I’ll just charge you to go on, go on and help us to realize our aspiration in reaching where we want to reach in regional football.”

McEwan last worked as manager of Mansfield Town in England’s Conference National league before being sacked last December.

He first played professionally for Scottish Premiership side Hibernian in 1969, making 60 appearances before joining Blackpool and a slew of other English clubs.
His first coaching appointment was at Sheffield United in 1986 before taking over as manager of Rotherham United in 1988 and guiding them to the Division Four title in the same season.