Bartley wants ‘good old days’ at H View

Harbour View FC made the first step to restoring their pride in the Red Stripe Premier League by beating last season's semi-finalists Mount Pleasant FA 2-1 in the season opener on Sunday.

The Stars of East, who have long proven to be one of the kingpins of local club football, missed relegation by five points last season, an uncharted territory they ventured and have made moves in the offseason to prevent this from happening again.

Gregory Bartley, the man who led Harbour View to two of their four titles, said his first game back as head coach reminded him of the team's glory days.

"We saw glimpses of playing like the Harbour View of old yesterday," he said. "We played a very disciplined game. Going into the game, I think the players were a bit tentative because quite a number of them are unknown to the Premier League and that wasn't giving them the confidence that they needed. But I think as the game went on, they became more comfortable and displayed the football that we want them to play."

Last year, Harbour View failed to win any of their first five fixtures, a reality that had not happened before that in over 20 years.

"I think this victory will give the boys a lot of confidence. It is always good to get a win to start the season," he said.

Bartley is also hoping to restore the Harbour View Mini Stadium, or 'The Compound' as it is more commonly called, to being the fortress it once was as Harbour View only managed to win two fixtures at home last season.

They are scheduled to take on Cavalier FC at home this weekend and Bartley wants all three points.

"Cavalier have always been a well organised side from back in the day, and we expect a competitive game, but we want to start winning at home again," he said.