Kithson Bain of Grenada

Tranmere Rovers have moved within sight of signing Kitson Bain to play in the English League One after the club received a governing body endorsment for the player. Rovers will now apply for Bain to be granted a Leave to Remain from UK Work Permits.

It seems as if the Tranmere manager, John Barnes, has used local knowledge in signing the player through his time in the Caribbean managing the Jamaica national side. Barnes is of Jamaican origin himself and was due to stay at Calabash in June when the Liverpool FC Legends came to Grenada, at the time it was his negotiations for the appointment as Tranmere Rovers manager that meant he could not make the trip at the last minute.

John Barnes said: “Kithson is a big, strong, quick striker. We need a bit more strength up front and Kithson will provide it. He will be a good addition to the squad.

“He was the top scorer in the Caribbean Cup when I was manager of Jamaica and he carried the Grenada side.”

• Complete refurbishment of accommodation several times over
• New buildings across the resort including all of the whirlpool and superior suites on the East side
• A new beach bar (which continues to grow)
• Luxury Villas
• Landscaping & Gardens
• The Heaven & Earth Spa
• The Rhodes Restaurant

The thing is that a lot of the above would not have been possible without Grenada itself, the place seems to inspire people. Gary Rhodes originally came the island to do a one off TV special, a couple of years later he had fallen in love with the island and Calabash to the extent that he opened a restaurant here. We’ve played host to some famous names in our time, David Bowie, Michael Howard and Richard Branson to name a few. All have become enchanted with the island in one way or another, it’s the real Caribbean, unspoilt, authentic and the friendliest place you could ever hope to visit. That might sound like one big cliché, it’s the truth.

For us personally it was superb having the Liverpool FC legends here since we’re lifelong fans of the club. What was really fantastic to hear was what they made of the island, a place that some of them had very little awareness of previously. To a man they loved their time here, more than one said it was the best charity tour they’d been on yet and there’s a few of them every year, again it was made possible by Grenada. Those guys are off to Norway any day now, I know Norway’s a beautiful country but I don’t think the sun shines quite as bright there.

On Sunday a lot of the fellas took the chance to relax in the morning after a party at Banana’s that continued long into the night, the moment of that was a dance off between Rob Jones and tour co-ordinator, Ibby. We wish we had video to show you but unfortunately the film didn’t come out too well and it was a bit shaky, suffice it to say it was hilarious.

Sunday afternoon saw us down at the Mount Cinnamon Cabana on Grand Anse beach, a bit of a lazy start with barbecue and beer things soon got going when the sound system turned up and a game of beach cricket was arranged. The locals were determined to have their own back after the thrashing they’d taken in the football game on Saturday. The wicket was a little dead and the boundary somewhere around the grass at the back of the beach on one side and a couple of bouys out in the water on the other, in between stood about 35 fielders at the peak of the game. Later on a charity auction took place which raised a fantastic sum for the Jason Roberts Foundation, Jason Roberts himself winning some Steven Gerrard memorabilia. It was back to the Calabash later on for some dinner and a well earned early night.

Monday saw us down at Prickly Bay Waterside for pizza, beer and powerboat rides. Michael Thomas was having a great time until the boat ran to full speed, at which point he was crouching in the bottom corner crying for his Mum, I suppose it was a teeny bit choppy out there.

On Tuesday morning the tour bus set off for Sauteurs in the north of the island for lunch followed by a training session in St Patricks. It’s a pretty grueling drive and the lads returned to Calabash at 7.45pm looking a bit jaded. No time to relax though as a reception was planned at the palatial St Georges University campus. The University is a huge part of island life and also a major sponsor of the Jason Roberts Foundation so this was an important engagement.

Yesterday it was time to say farewell to Grenada and a very successful tour, next year has a lot to live up to but whatever happens it should be even better than the week just gone. We’ll post a picture special of the event once we have the edited photos ready so please watch this space for more, in the meantime I have some jet lag to sleep off.

Yesterday afternoon saw the highlight of the week take place, the football match between the legends and a Grenada Select XI in aid of the Jason Roberts Foundation. The match at the football stadium in St Georges looked in some doubt in the morning as we woke up to heavy rain, a drive down to inspect the pitch revealed a lot of water on the playing surface. Thankfully the weather broke around mid morning and with the sun burning the water away the game was officially on.

The teams entered the stadium with the FIFA banner ahead of them, predictions were for a tight game and it was anybody’s guess as to the winner. Liverpool had stated at their press conference that they were used to winning as professional players and that is how they remain, they did not come here to lose. The same went for Grenada, who had been training for weeks ahead of the game, brothers Jason and Otis Roberts were in the team as was their uncle Cyrille Regis.

Early signs for Grenada were not good with Liverpool starting very brightly and narrowly missing a couple of chances, after ten minutes they got their goal, Jason McAteer sprung the offside trap to round the keeper and slot home. Grenada huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way past the Reds well organised defence, Mark Wright, Gary Gillespie and Phil Babb were both very cool at the back and it wasn’t long before the spritely John Durnin was presented with a great opportunity to walk the ball home for number 2.

All seemed to be going according to plan for Liverpool until Grenada found a way back into the game, a misunderstanding between Mark Wright and Bruce Grobelaar gave Jason Roberts possession inside the penalty area, Grobelaar could have given away a penalty with flailing arms at Roberts’ feet but the striker stayed upright and finished neatly.

Liverpool didn’t seem to worry about it too much and their part timers were doing a fine job, two of them having great chances to score and both missing narrowly as the score remained 1-2 at half time.

Phil Thompson barked the orders at half time as the players took on lots of water. With more changes rung the players resumed the second half and it was not long before Liverpool found another way in, Again it was Durning who bundled the ball home. Grenada were looking a bit ragged by this point and a fourth goal soon followed, McAteer was box to box and running the show, he rifled in from just inside the area.

Shortly afterward Durnin broke on the left and squared the ball to Gary Mulcahey who slotted home to the great delight of everyone. Gary has been in Grenada for a year now working on projects for the Jason Roberts Foundation and as a life long Liverpool FC supporter he really deserved this moment. 1-5 to Liverpool.

Grenada then cam close on a couple of occasions with neat approach play almost giving them openings, a good chance went over the bar. However it was Liverpool’s game and with the minutes ticking away a sixth was conceded, probably the goal of the game as a cross found the number 13 (name unknown at this time) who very smartly lobbed the approaching keeper. 1-6.

All were smiling as the final whistle blew and with shirts swapped the players received their medals and Bruce Grobelaar picked up the inaugural Jason Roberts Foundation trophy. However this event was about the foundation and the great work it does in Grenada so without any apologies for the use of the cliché, everyone was a winner. Talk is that event will be run again next year and it seems that everyone is very happy about that.

The Liverpool FC Legends Grenada 2009

Grenada Select XI

Bruce Grobelaar picks up another trophy for Liverpool

As we might have expected the plane journey turned into a bit of a social with players and entourage occupying the galley for most of the flight. The lovely flight crew were most accommodating to this, or at least put up a very good show of appearing to be.

Some quick pics, yes, they’re not great but then iphone cameras aren’t either. Better pics will follow this week and you can expect a bevvy of posts during their stay here telling you all about about what we’re getting up to. Check back again tomorrow!

Mark Walters, Jason McAteer and Gary Gillespie

Leo Garbutt and Mark Wright discuss the shock end of the 89/90 season

John Durnin spent the entire 8.5hr flight asleep

Party in the Galley with Mark Wright, Lourda and barman in chief (for the flight) Bruce Grobelaar

We look forward to welcoming the following players next Wednesday (10th June):

• Phil Thompson
• Bruce Grobbelaar
• Rob Jones
• Jason McAteer
• Gary Gillespie
• Mark Wright
• Phil Babb
• Michael Thomas
• John Durnin
• Mark Walters
• Paul Walsh
• John Barnes

Contact us for more info.

Current Special Offer - Bash Dollars

Between June 10th – 17th the Calabash Hotel will play host to the Liverpool FC legends who are spending a week in Grenada, the highlight of their stay will be an exhibition match against a Caribbean Select XI at Grenada’s national stadium. Click here for more info on that trip, you can even be there to be a part of it all.

Bruce Grobelaar

Fresh from his stint at the stove in the English series of Hell’s Kitchen, Bruce Grobelaar will be among the many ex-Liverpool FC players on the tour. Others include John Barnes, Phil Thompson, Gary Gillespie, Paul Walsh and Michael Thomas.