By Yankuba Jallow
Trust Football Club, founded on 17 December 2020. It participated in the Kanifing Municipal (KM) women third division in the 2021/22 season and was crowned champions. They were promoted to participate in Gambia Football Federation Women’s Second Division in the 2022/23 season and got relegated in the 2023/24 season.
Marie Demba renowned as Marie Chatty expressed hope that the club will bounce back stronger next season. She is the administrator of the club. Recently, the club captain Sally Jatta signed a one year loan deal with the back-to-back league champions of Sierra Leone, Mogbwemo Queens.
“She is hardworking and determined to achieve her dream of becoming a professional player,” Marie said.
It was the first time the club sold a player. Marie went with the captain to Freetown to ensure the success of the deal.
“It is a dream come true for her and the club, especially I to be able to achieve this,” the young administrator said.
Trust FC last season won 5 from their 22 matches with 10 defeats and 7 draws finishing in 11th position with 22 points. They were one point behind Prison FC in 10th place and Mansawally in 9th place, and 2 points behind Darboe’s FC in 8th place and Lower Niumi in 7th place. Trust FC relegated together with bottom place Raptim to the KM 3rd Division football.
On her assessment of last season’s performance, she said it was not bad. She added that they had some ‘loopholes’.
“We have sit as a management and discussed how to tackle it. Our hope is to return to second division football,” Marie said.
Running a club in the Gambia comes with huge challenges, especially for a young female administrator managing a club without sponsors.
“It comes with some challenges. As a young person having been appointed for the first time to administer a football club isn’t easy more especially when you are working with young female players helping them develop without any sponsors,” she said.
Marie’s sole support comes from the club’s chief executive officer (CEO) and president, who invest to ensure they achieve their goals.
She said their plan is to have a good season.
“We are looking forward to seeing the club excel in the future,” Marie said.
