By Neto Baptiste
Former national striker and prolific goal-scorer, Peter Byers, has pointed to a lack of proper guidance by those charged with negotiating on his behalf as the main reason why his professional career remained stagnated for some time and eventually ended.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Byers opened up about the time he spent as a professional both in Trinidad with San Juan Jabloteh and also in the United Soccer League (USL) with the Canada-based Montreal Impacts.
“Certain things with my agency I would change because even when I went to San Jose [Earthquakes] and I was supposed to have signed [a contract] and he [agent] wanted more money, and I did not end up and sign and had to change and go back Montreal Impact, I would change all of that. Then, in Trinidad when I was supposed have gone to Falkirk [Scottish professional club] and the coach didn’t want me to go, I would have changed all those situations,” he said.
Byers, who was released by Impacts in August 2010 before returning to Antigua to represent the Parham FC, said he would do things much differently if given the opportunity to relive that aspect of his life.
“Knowing myself, if I was to go back where I was then, I would work extra hard to push myself more so I could reach further because I know that football is what I love because football could make you a millionaire and make a difference in your life; so I would push myself harder and work much harder,” he said.
The striker, who has won several Premier Division scoring titles with the SAP football club, urged young and aspiring players to work hard and believe in their dreams.
“It’s just you to push yourself, just keep working hard and do what you want in life. Whenever you go out there you push yourself to the limit. Always have respect for people around you because you never know who those people might be and keep pushing yourself hard and you can reach anywhere you want to reach,” Byers said.
Byers also had a brief stint with the Antigua Barracuda FC in the USL Professional Division, during which he scored four goals in seven games. He then transferred to the Los Angeles Blues in June of 2011.