Football: Weaver the toast of champions

It looked as though Alex Weaver's time in Singapore was headed for an abrupt end when he stood down as Hougang United coach in April last year, just two months into the S.League season.

However, he was given a lifeline when Warriors FC appointed him as coach a couple of months later following the resignation of V. Selvaraj.

And fast forward just over a year, the Englishman can lay claim to being the mastermind behind the Warriors' charge to a record ninth Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League title.

Rather than think about vindication following his axing by the Cheetahs, Weaver preferred to focus on what he has now achieved with his new team.

"Since the first day I've been here, the club have been fantastic," he said.

"They've allowed me to introduce my ideas and given me the chance to build a team, and I'm just happy I've been able to repay them with the S.League title.

"I think the players and I work well together, they understand what is expected of them and they've gone out and played their part on the field.

"When you join a club and you immediately find yourself in such a positive environment, then it makes it very easy to forget what happened at Hougang."

For now, Weaver can enjoy a well-deserved break. But there will be bigger fish to fry next season with an Asian Football Confederation competition to plan for, be it a spot in the Champions League or the AFC Cup.

He is optimistic last night's triumph will only be the start of greater things.

"For now, we will revel in the fact that we've brought success back to this great club," Weaver added.

"This title puts the Warriors back where they belong but, hopefully, the S.League trophy will be the first of many."

This article was first published on Nov 1, 2014.
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