Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2016. 4:21 p.m. CST
By Aaron Humes: Newly crowned national football champions Police United Football Club is Belize’s representative to the CONCACAF Champions League, as winner of the overall Premier League of Belize season 2015-2016.
When all points won in competition are taken into consideration, Police, which won the opening season at the end of last year, edged out Belmopan Bandits F.C., which won the closing season, by a point to qualify.
Selections of groups for the first round of the Champions League take place on Sunday. Club manager Senior Superintendent of Police Andres Makin Senior hopes that Belizeans will rally behind the team.
Manager Makin said that for this first round they need 100 thousand dollars in donations apart from the participation grant they will receive from CONCACAF.
Police United largely depends on sponsorship from the business community, particularly Benny’s Home Center and the Belize Bank.
Makin also says they will strengthen the team with new players both local and international including a goalkeeper.
Former national goalkeeper and administrator Charlie Slusher has joined the team as head coach.
The team has established a Facebook page for information about the club and updates on fundraising plans.
This is Police’s third national title in addition to several runner-up finishes. Last year Belize’s representative in the League, Verdes F.C. of Cayo, scored a victory over San Francisco F.C. of Panama and drew with Mexico’s Que-re-ta-ro but lost heavily in the away matches and wound up eliminated after the group stage first round.
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