An elder statesman and the brain behind the formation of Hawks FC (now Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi), Mr Cletus Finbar, has said in an exclusive interview with VoiceSports’ Terfa Alaghga, that former players of Lobi Stars should be respected and appreciated for their sacrifice to the team and that it is not the exclusive rights for only those who played for the team to form the management team. He also spoke on other issues.
Excerpts:
VoiceSports: Did you do sports in your youth?
Finbar: Yes I did, starting from my elementary school at the St Mary’s Primary School NorthBank Makurdi, where I represented my school in football, up to the secondary school level, at the Benue Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina -Ala, where I also represented the school in football, hockey, lawn tennis and squash. Although, I didn’t go far in sports but I played hockey for Nigeria and during our time, we were invited to the national camp and after sometime, asked to leave until there was a competition in which we were invited to participate in.
VoiceSports: Did your parents support your involvement in sports?
Finbar: My parents did not have any objection to my involvement in sports because then, our parents took it that we were only children exercising ourselves. We were free to go out and play games. Right from the primary school, I had the time for myself to play games but unfortunately, I didn’t go far because of the knee injury that I sustained when we were playing a football match against the WM Bristow Secondary School Gboko in 1966, in Katsina-Ala. I was admitted at the NKST Mkar Christian Hospital. That was why I called it quits with active sports.
VoiceSports: If it were not for the knee injury, would you have loved to play football to the highest level?
Finbar: Of course I would have loved to because even with the injury, I continued playing and representing Benue Plateau State in hockey, which was through it that I was offered employment with the Benue Plateau State Government.
VoiceSports: How did the opportunity come?
Finbar: After the retirement of the Kaduna State born Coach Dunley, we were interviewed and eventually, I was hired and I took over as the Benue Plateau State Hockey Coach, until I was deployed to Benue State, after its creation in 1976. In 1977, I went to India for a Coaching Training in Hockey. Upon return, I was made the Head of Coaching and Training (HCT) at the Benue State Sports Council Makurdi (BSSC), saddled with the responsibilities to reorganise all the sports. That was how I came up with the Idea of Hawks FC of Makurdi.
VoiceSports: What was the motive behind your idea of forming Hawks FC?
Finbar: When we were deployed to Benue State, Makurdi was more or less like a provincial town, with only grassroots teams playing football within, but they were not progressing rather, were falling short when it came to national competitions and being saddled with the responsibility to reorganise all sports, I floated the idea of a football team which I presented to the management of the BSSC. I said the BSSC can put together a football team, to use as a barometer and to be an example for the local clubs to emulate. This idea was approved.
VoiceSports: After the approval, how did you begin the recruitment of players?
Finbar: I was asked to lead the team to recruit the players.and between 1979 and 1980, we set out mainly for the Government Teachers Colleges and some of the football clubs that were around because in the secondary schools most of their students were relatively little boys. That was where we recruited the players who started the Hawks FC of Makurdi, in 1980, under the Benue State Sports Council Makurdi.
VoiceSports: Did you have an idea of why you were asked to lead the team?
Finbar: Of course it was because I initiated the idea of founding a football team for the state. We started the team from the scratch, it grew and began attracting a lot of good and skilful players and over time, the teams within the state began playing competitive football and also growing. That was how football generally started growing in Benue State.
VoiceSports: Can you recall some of the players that you recruited and started the team with?
Finbar: We started the team with players like, the late Terfa Kpakor, the late Tom Ichull (GK), Andrew Iornongo, the late Andrew Agu, the late Dantanimu Alakoro, Herbert Jov, the late Ambrose Jov and others I can’t recall now. We recruited them and formed the team which we named Hawks FC of Makurdi, operating under the management of the Benue State Sports Council, and I was Team Manager.
VoiceSports: What was the idea behind the name of Hawks FC?
Finbar: I was expecting this question from you Terfa. In fact, our intention was to put together a team that would go beyond the skies and for that reason, we started thinking of a strong bird that can soar and fly higher and higher in the sky. That was how we arrived at the name of Hawks FC, which officially started in 1980.
VoiceSports: Which of the teams in the state, would you recall were playing competitively with Hawks FC at that time?
Finbar: We had the Green Seeds FC of Makurdi, Sir Akpoo System FC and Kwande United FC both of Adikpo, P&T Rovers FC of Makurdi, Gwagwada Lions FC of Makurdi, Juladaco Bees FC of Gboko, Hippos FC of Makurdi (Nigerian Army team) etc. We played in the state League. Hawks FC won the state League and went ahead to play in the national preliminaries in Kano, where it qualified for the National Division 3 League. We rose gradually to play in the national Division 1League ( now NPFL) and the first Coach to handle Hawks FC was also a BSSC Coach and player, Christopher Aloo.
VoiceSports: For how long did the BSSC fund Hawks FC?
Finbar: The funding lasted for about five years and when it became very expensive for the BSSC to maintain the team, I personally wrote to the state government and suggested to them to allow the Benue Breweries Limited (BBL) which was also a government owned brewery, to take over funding of the team which would serve as a platform for advertising their products, it was approved and it became BBL Hawks FC of Makurdi. At this time, I had retired from the Civil Service and left the BSSC. When the BBL took over, they reappointed me to take over as the Manager of the BBL Hawks FC of Makurdi. BBL funding of Hawks FC lasted just for a few years and when it became very difficult for the company to also continue managing Hawks FC, I also wrote a letter of proposal to the state government, requesting the Lobi Bank which was a state owned financial institution to take over the team. My proposal was equally approved and Lobi Bank took over the team and they too invited me to continue as Manager of the club. The name was also changed to Lobi Bank FC of Makurdi.
VoiceSports: When did you finally leave Lobi?
Finbar: I left when the management of Lobi Bank decided it would no longer afford the expenses of supporting the team. That was when the government took full responsibility for the team and changed its name to Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi. Even when I left the team, my unwavering support for it never dropped because the club is my “Baby” and I will always support it.
VoiceSports: During your time with the club from Hawks to Lobi, did you have the opportunity of playing on the continent?
Finbar: Yes, we did play in the WAFU Cup competition and also in the Champions League. Some of the things that made the club successful were that, every player who deserved a shirt got it irrespective of whether anyone had any bias against him or not. We made sure that the players got what was due to them and they also carried out their responsibilities effectively.
VoiceSports: What was your relationship with the players?
Finbar: It was wonderful and they were also very happy because we were concerned about their personal problems. If you neglect the personal problems of a player, it affects his performances and the team. If for instance, a player contracts a communicable disease and keeps it discreet, he suffers in silence, his performances deteriorate and it affects the team because no matter the amount of training that he receives will not make any difference. That is why it is always better for you to know your players one on one on the pitch and off the pitch. It is very important for the team spirit and to win their confidence. When that is done, they will be open to you and forthcoming.
VoiceSports: Most of the former players of Hawks/Lobi, have expressed dismay over the embarrassments they face at the gate during football matches involving Lobi Stars. What is your reaction to this development?
Finbar: It is not a healthy development at all. I think the team owes them the duty of making sound sacrifices to them, for contributing to the rise and growth of Hawks/Lobi Stars. They should be respected and appreciated for the sacrifices they made to the team. The people who are there today, may definitely not be there tomorrow and when a player knows that if he leaves and one day he comes and he is appreciated and shown some respect, he will give you his best. So when an old player comes and he positively identifies himself, he should be accorded the respect that he deserves. You don’t have to turn them back. It is not right. If that has been happening, then the management should look into it.
VoiceSports: Lobi has temporarily lost the glory of playing in the Premiership. What fatherly advice would you give the leadership?
Finbar: First and foremost, they need to rebuild the team by recruiting committed players, they need to assemble a management team that is committed and willing to work hard, the management should be honest, they should work towards winning the confidence of the players and when they do, the players too will make it a point of duty to ensure that they do what is right for the management to succeed. They should work hard not to betray their confidence. It is important for the management to establish a good rapport with the players, be honest to them, be committed to them and do not betray their confidence.
VoiceSports: Is it the exclusive rights of only former Lobi players to manage the team?
Finbar: It is not. Managing a football club should not be the exclusive rights of only the players who had played for the team, but about those who have garnered the knowledge, experience and are committed, and that should be the top most priority. Someone who had played for a team may not be as knowledgeable, experienced and committed to manage a team like someone who never had the opportunity to even play for that team. It makes no sense when you begin to think in that direction and it won’t even work. However, including past players who are experienced and knowledgeable is a perfect development too. There is no doubt about it.
VoiceSports: Fans and supporters are of the opinion that an experienced and knowledgeable gaffer should be hired, if the management must think of returning the team to the Premiership soon. Do you subscribe to their opinions?
Finbar: Frankly speaking, I do not know who the present Coach is and also his capabilities but I think the management of Lobi, should be able to get an experienced Coach that will be able to take the team to the next stage. That is, if the management has the interest of the team at heart, it should be able to assess the coach who is on the ground and know whether he can take them to the next stage or not but an experienced coach would be more preferable.
VoiceSports: Do you subscribe to the assertion that the management of Lobi should be led by only Civil Servants, for prudent management of funds since it is now under the Sports Council?
Finbar: I do not subscribe to that in any way. The government needs to only put together a management team that has the know how. It should then task them with managing it effectively and it should be accountable to the government. So the issue of prudence is the responsibility of the government to also check them periodically. If the government approves, it is also incumbent of it to ensure that what it approves is implemented to the letter. You don’t appoint a management and then go to sleep and leave them to do what they want. It doesn’t work that way. If a government raises a team and commits funds to it, it is also its responsibility to ensure that it assembles a good management team because you can’t float a team, put a poor management and watch it squander the funds. It will not work and the supporters will berate you. It should ensure that an effective monitoring and supervision team is put in place and not just have a football club, commit funds into it and the management is not paying the players their dues, they are complaining, the output is diminishing and you just sit there asking what is happening. That is laxity.
VoiceSports: Are you speaking from experience?
Finbar: Of course. When I was there, from time to time I called for a general meeting of both the management and players, where everybody told us whatever that was their problem. Apart from that, I would go to each individual player’s residence and have a one on one conversation with him. This made me know the residence of every player of the team. They built their confidence in me and they could even tell me everything that was bothering them. That is one of the first things that a Manager has to do by getting to know them so that he can have the confidence in them and they too can talk to him freely and in confidence what they can’t tell their own coach because you wouldn’t betray their confidence.
VoiceSports: If you were asked to make an input on the state of Lobi now, what area would you like to hinge on?
Finbar: For me to do that, I will need to first of all go and watch how they do things there because I wouldn’t want to make a blind input. When I watch them closely and in whatever area I have to make an input, I will meet one on one with the person in charge of that area and tell him where he has got it wrong and profer solution to him if he would have the listening ear.
VoiceSports: What if you were to make an input on their recruitment process?
Finbar: This would largely depend on what the sponsor wants because some of them would want immediate results and in that case, you have to spend money to recruit readymade players while other sponsors would want you to build their team gradually. But the ideal thing for me is to build a team gradually, so that when you attain an enviable position you maintain it. In essence, it is better to mix the experienced players with the promising ones in the team so that when they leave, the promising ones will fit in, in order to avoid a situation where you will succeed today and fail tomorrow.
VoiceSports: Since you left Lobi Stars, have any of the successive heads come to seek advice from you at all or they don’t have an idea that the name Cletus Finbar is synonymous with Hawks/Lobi Stars FC?
Finbar: Well, some of them are aware of that and have even worked with me like, Simon Terver Ikya, who also knows the way I do my things but he has just come on board and he will need to study everything there. I am sure that at a point, we will always talk.
VoiceSports: There are rumours making the rounds that people are behind the scenes, fighting against the success of Lobi. What is your advice to such people?
Finbar: It is unfortunate that some people are somewhere carrying out such a nefarious act against a team that the Benue people love dearly. Well, my advice to them is that they should give the management some breathing space to do their work. It is too early.
VoiceSports: Is it appropriate for Lobi to operate as an independent entity?
Finbar: Firstly, I feel that after setting up a management committee to run Lobi, it should be under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Creativity, since it is now under the BSSC. That would work provided it doesn’t take time before approvals are made for release of funds and other things because in football, bureaucratic bottlenecks are unnecessary for want of time to prosecute its activities. Bringing too many people to oversee the affairs of a club, will not augur well. If the Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Creativity is overseeing the affairs of Lobi, it means that from time to time, its management will be in consultation with the Commissioner. That is how it works for the way forward. I remember the government also carried out its experiment, when Lobi was under the office of the Deputy Governor. So either way, under the Deputy Governor or the Commissioner, it is okay.
VoiceSports: What is your call on the fans and supporters of Lobi, considering the present situation in which the club has found itself?
Finbar: Supporters may not be as knowledgeable as members of the management team but will want success for their team and they are prepared to die for their club. Therefore, when they are overzealous, it is not because they hate the management or are doing it out of malice but due to the anxiety for their team to do well because the club is performing below their expectations. That is what pushes them and we need to also understand with them but they too should just learn to be patient and give the management some time because I don’t think any management will deliberately want to pull itself down.
VoiceSports: How do you feel when you see your brain child, Lobi Stars FC, still in the hearts of fans and supporters?
Finbar: I feel great and fulfilled, and my joy is that Lobi is the cornerstone of football in Benue State, because we have produced a lot of good players that have played both at the national and international levels. In fact, Hawks grew football and brought out the beauty of football in the state. Today, Lobi has not only done much in the game of football but will continue to be the foundation of football in Benue State. Although, for now I am not very happy and comfortable with its present state but I believe it will rise again.
VoiceSports: According to you, Hawks FC brought out the beauty in football. How do you mean?
Finbar: It was God who was directing my footsteps in drawing the line up and recruiting players for the team. In fact, I used to be funny sometimes. There were times when I would ask the players, the coaches and myself to draw a line up for a particular football match and after putting the three lists together, most times you find out that the difference would be only one or two players. With such a development, no player would be sad that he deserved a shirt for a match and he was denied. We built an unbiased kingdom, where even if a player slapped or insulted me but he merited a shirt for a match, he was not denied it because there are other ways to discipline such a player for his ungentlemanly behaviour. I considered refusing to feature a player in a match that he merited as simply working against myself since the results mattered to me a lot. My way of doing things was quite different and I got the results that I needed.
VoiceSports: What is your prayer for Lobi Stars FC?
Finbar: As much as I wish them good luck, I also want them to understand that distractions will always come but they should ignore them rather, they should be focused and concentrate on their job because when you do your job properly and give your best, those distractions will be forced to fall away.
VoiceSports: As the HCT, you built a formidable football team and named it Hawks FC. Did you attempt building other sports as well?
Finbar: Very well. I did a lot in hockey which was a very strong game in those days and we took our time in recruiting good and talented players for the state team including, the late Mape Orngu, the late Nastyn Terry Haakaa and a host of others I can’t recall their names now. That was why the game was very strong in the state. In athletics as well, I recruited athletes for the state. My primary job was to do an appraisal and make recommendations and fortunately for me, all my recommendations gained favour from the management.
VoiceSports: What is your philosophy?
Finbar: As far as I am concerned, hard work and honesty pay. When you take to playing football and begin thinking of making money immediately, you don’t go far. To me, players are as important as the management and you need players who are hardworking and honest. When I was there, no player would miss a training session except he was hospitalised and even if he was sick, he would come and observe the training in order to be helpful to his team mate by watching them and at the end of the day, having one or two corrections to make to a team mate. They had a minimum number of training sessions they attended before they played a match no matter how good the player was. So they had to be hardworking.
