Tappa reassigned as Bibi and Butler take over Ja U-20’s

Photo: Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner (left) and Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler will now be in charge of the Jamaica Under-20 Men’s football team and former coach Thoedore Whitmore has been reassigned to the Futsal team.

There are changes coming to the Jamaica Under-20 youth set-up as former Reggae Boy and National head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore has been shifted yet again, this time to Futsal. Whitmore will be replaced by former Reggae Boy teammates Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner who will be the head coach and Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler who will be his assistant. 

The announcement was made by JFF Boss, Captain Horace Burrell while speaking at the awards ceremony of the Sherwin Williams Women’s League on Thursday evening.

Burrell said that having Gardner and Butler in charge “will be a big boost to the youth programme.”

Butler is already the holder of a UEFA B license, while Gardner who is currently an assistant coach at Harbour View, is in training to receive his UEFA B license.

Whitmore who recently participated in a Futsal coaching course held in Jamaica “was highly spoken of by the course instructor” said Burrell. He also intimated that Whitmore may become a player coach for the Jamaica team, which begins preparation soon for a tournament to be held in Cuba in January.

Whitmore will be assisted by another former Reggae Boy and current assistant coach at Harbour View Fabian Taylor.

Gardner, Butler and Taylor are all former Harbour View players.