By Duncan Saul
Blessed with silky moves, fantastic vision and a penchant for the extraordinary, Fruta Conquerors talismanic striker Vurlon Mills has certainly made a name for himself within the football fraternity.
Stabroek Sports in an exclusive interview caught up with the precocious talent as he is preparing to help his local club succeed in the second annual Georgetown Football Association/Banks Beer Knockout Cup.
According to Mills, the year 2012 can be described as a success. “It has had its ups and downs. The high point was certainly making the senior national team and trying to establish myself as a permanent fixture. “Certainly the low point was tearing my cartilage earlier in the year that sidelined me for months. The injury was a major setback after having a previous surgery done in 2008 to my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
“I knew what a major setback it would be and due to the nature of the injury, I clearly understood the effects that it could have on my playing career. Therapy was tough but I knew once I got through it I would come back an even better player.
“While injuries are part and parcel of the game, they always seem to put things into perspective. As a player you feel invulnerable, superhuman – that injuries don’t exist in your world but when it does occur and in my case as serious as it was, you lose that air of invincibility and introspection takes it natural course.”
He elaborated on his football career which sees him plying his trade currently in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago but his dream is to play the game at its zenith which is at the European level.
“Aware of the competitive nature of the European game, I am working arduously to make my dreams a reality. The pro league is not as competitive as it once was due to the migration of the best players for bigger and better leagues. From a development standpoint it’s great and I am hoping to use it as a stepping stone to bigger and brighter opportunities. I know I have the talent and ability to succeed at the highest level and will be working towards that in the not so distant future.”
He disclosed that Guyana has the talent to become a Caribbean heavyweight but said that progress is being hampered by the politics and questionable administration of the sport.
“The state of affairs of the beautiful game speaks for itself. The interest of the players has taken a back seat to the politicking of our administrative leaders whose sole purpose it seems is to use the sport as a marketing tool for their own benefit.
“We, the players, are simply pawns on a chessboard of deception where personal gain and titles seem to be the ultimate goal. The GFA and GFF situation has clearly hindered the development of the sport. The league, which is the ‘bread and butter’ of developing football nations, is non-existent and current developments show no signs of an amiable solution between both parties. Who is to blame can be debated but how will the situation be rectified?” he asked.
“The current situation has extended to the national team as well with players and the federation not on the same wavelength. I experienced the backdoor dealings firsthand when I was unceremoniously dropped from the national team during the World Cup qualifiers. No proper explanation was given, bearing in mind I was the leading goal scorer at the said time and was performing admirably in training.
“To say I was disappointed would be an understatement but I took the decision with a grain of salt. I knew that I had become the victim of another dubious but calculated decision by the ‘higher ups’ who had their own agenda.
“As we speak, I am currently unavailable for national duties due to the current state of affairs. My decision is a difficult one but I firmly believe that the present situation between the national players and the GFF as well as the GFA needs to be rectified for the benefit of the game.”
Mills posited that, in order for the game to develop, systems and structures need to be put in place that will help to facilitate player growth and development.
“Administration at the highest level has been found wanting.
For our players to become competitive regionally, we need to put systems in place to promote player development. We can do this by have a core of local players training together at least twice weekly and having to play Caribbean opposition once every three months. In this way we can introduce more local based players into the national programme and players will need some form of financial stability which will encourage commitment. The league also needs to be structured to have the best teams competing which will help to build depth within the national setup.”
He declared that 2013 is the year he envisions himself stepping up to the next level and plying his craft in Europe.
“My intentions are like any other football player, to play with and against the best players in the World. Competing in Europe is the final frontier of any professional footballer’s career and I will be working diligently to make it a reality. I believe in myself and my ability and know that I have what it takes to make it there.” Vernon Mills was Guyana’s leading goal scorer in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Caribbean Cup tournaments.
