Trinidad and Tobago football clubs have entered international competitions since 1967, when Regiment of the Port of Spain Football League took part in the 1967 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. [1] Since the nation's first international club competition, several association football clubs from Trinidad and Tobago have entered North America, Central America, and Caribbean competitions (CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League and CFU Club Championship).
The CONCACAF Champions' Cup started in 1962, but there was no Trinidad and Tobago representative during that inaugural season as the competition was open to eight teams from seven countries: Netherlands Antilles, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and México. Since their first appearance, Trinidad and Tobago clubs have claimed the Champions' Cup on two occasions with Defence Force winning the title in 1978 and again in 1985 in the Teteron Boys' treble-winning season. [1]
Since the establishment of the CFU Club Championship in 1997, clubs from the Caribbean Islands that are members of the Caribbean Football Union, have competed in the region's qualification tournament for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Champions League. The first club to compete in the regional competition was United Petrotrin of the Semi-Professional League. The Oilmen won the inaugural tournament after defeating Seba United of Jamaica 2–1 to advance to the 1997 Champions' Cup. Since the country's first appearance in the CFU Club Championship, Trinidad and Tobago clubs have claimed the title on eleven occasions with an additional nine runners-up finishes.
| Competition | Qualifiers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CFU Club Championship | Club finishing as the TT Pro League champions | Clubs enter competition in the first round |
| Club finishing as the TT Pro League runners-up |
| CONCACAF Champions League | Caribbean Club Championship |
|---|---|
| 1978 – Defence Force | 1997 – United Petrotrin |
| 1985 – Defence Force (2) | 1998 – Joe Public |
| 2000 – Joe Public (2) | |
| 2001 – Defence Force | |
| 2002 – W Connection | |
| 2003 – San Juan Jabloteh | |
| 2006 – W Connection (2) | |
| 2009 – W Connection (3) | |
| 2012 – Caledonia AIA | |
| 2015 – Central FC | |
| 2016 – Central FC (2) |
Since the inaugural season of the TT Pro League in 1999, the league champion and runners-up have entered the CFU Club Championship to earn qualification in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League. The first Pro League club to compete in international competition was Joe Public when the club entered the 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. However, the Eastern Lions qualified for the competition through the 1998 CFU Club Championship as a member of the Semi-Professional League the previous season. The 2000 CFU Club Championship was the first occurrence of clubs having earned qualification through final position in the Pro League. Defence Force entered as the 1999 Pro League champion, W Connection as runners-up, and Joe Public as the CFU Club Championship holders. Joe Public won the competition to provide the Pro League with its first international championship.
Pro League clubs have won the CFU Club Championship for Caribbean-based clubs on eleven occasions and nine additional runners-up finishes. However, no Pro League club has won the Champions' Cup or Champions League. The best performance occurred in the 2000, 2004, and 2007 Champions' Cup when Joe Public, San Juan Jabloteh, and W Connection, respectively, entered the quarterfinal round.
Note: The CONCACAF Champions' Cup began in 1962 and was renamed the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008–09 (abbreviated here to 2009). Trinidad and Tobago clubs began entering the continental competition in 1967. After the inauguration of the TT Pro League in 1999, teams from the Pro League were playing in CONCACAF competition during that season (abbreviated to 2009), even though they had actually qualified through the old Semi-Professional League the previous season.
For comparison, this table shows how Trinidad and Tobago clubs have performed at the top level of CONCACAF football before the TT Pro League era. Defence Force remains the only team from Trinidad and Tobago to win the Champions' Cup in 1978 and 1985. [1] Since the Teteron Boys' treble-winning season, the best performance by a Trinidad and Tobago team came in 1987 and 1988 when Defence Force, and again in 1991 when Police finished as runners-up.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Defence Force | 2 | 2 | 1978, 1985 | 1987, 1988 |
| Police | 0 | 1 | 1991 |
On this table, covering before and during the TT Pro League era, the best-performing ten clubs are listed. Pro League club, Defence Force, is tied for ninth best-performing club in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Champions League.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cruz Azul | 5 | 2 | 1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997 | 2009, 2010 |
| América | 5 | 0 | 1977, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2006 | |
| Pachuca | 4 | 0 | 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010 | |
 Saprissa | 3 | 2 | 1993, 1995, 2005 | 2004, 2008 |
| UNAM | 3 | 1 | 1980, 1982, 1989 | 2005 |
| Monterrey | 3 | 0 | 2011, 2012, 2013 | |
 Transvaal | 2 | 3 | 1973, 1981 | 1974, 1975, 1986 |
| Alajuelense | 2 | 3 | 1986, 2004 | 1971, 1992, 1999 |
 Olimpia | 2 | 2 | 1972, 1988 | 1985, 2000 |
| Toluca | 2 | 2 | 1968, 2003 | 1998, 2006 |
| Defence Force | 2 | 2 | 1978, 1985 | 1987, 1988 |
For comparison, the following tables show the performance of all finalists in CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Champions League before and during the TT Pro League era. Although Trinidad and Tobago clubs performed well before the establishment of the TT Pro League, professional clubs have not reached the final of the continental competition.
|
|
The Caribbean Football Union established the Caribbean Club Championship in 1997 as a qualification tournament for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup (later renamed the Champions League). The inaugural season of the TT Pro League was in 1999, so teams entering the regional competition based on Pro League finish began in 2000.
This table shows how Trinidad and Tobago clubs have performed in the CFU Club Championship since the start of the TT Pro League era. The table is currently headed by W Connection, with three wins, followed by Central FC (2), Morvant Caledonia United (1), Defence Force (1), Joe Public (1), and San Juan Jabloteh (1).
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Connection | 3 | 6 | 2002, 2006, 2009 | 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2016 |
| Central FC | 2 | 0 | 2015, 2016 | |
| Joe Public | 1 | 2 | 2000 | 2007, 2010 |
| San Juan Jabloteh | 1 | 1 | 2003 | 2006 |
| Morvant Caledonia United | 1 | 0 | 2012 | |
| Defence Force | 1 | 0 | 2001 |
This table combines the Trinidad and Tobago totals before and during the TT Pro League era. It shows that thanks to its earlier win in 1998, Joe Public, with two wins, have moved into second place, but still trail behind W Connection with three wins.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Connection | 3 | 6 | 2002, 2006, 2009 | 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2016 |
| Joe Public | 2 | 2 | 1998, 2000 | 2007, 2010 |
| Central FC | 2 | 0 | 2015, 2016 | |
| Morvant Caledonia United | 1 | 1 | 2012 | 1998 |
| San Juan Jabloteh | 1 | 1 | 2003 | 2006 |
| Defence Force | 1 | 0 | 2001 | |
| United Petrotrin | 1 | 0 | 1997 |
On this table, covering before and during the TT Pro League era, the best-performing Pro League club, W Connection, is also the best-performing club in the CFU Club Championship ahead of fellow Pro League clubs Joe Public and Central FC, Puerto Rico Islanders, and Jamaican club Harbour View.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Connection | 3 | 6 | 2002, 2006, 2009 | 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2016 |
| Joe Public | 2 | 2 | 1998, 2000 | 2007, 2010 |
 Puerto Rico Islanders | 2 | 1 | 2010, 2011 | 2009 |
| Central FC | 2 | 0 | 2015, 2016 | |
 Harbour View | 2 | 0 | 2004, 2007 | |
| Morvant Caledonia United | 1 | 1 | 2012 | 1998 |
| San Juan Jabloteh | 1 | 1 | 2003 | 2006 |
| Portmore United | 1 | 0 | 2005 | |
| Defence Force | 1 | 0 | 2001 | |
| United Petrotrin | 1 | 0 | 1997 | |
 Tempête | 0 | 1 | 2011 | |
| Robinhood | 0 | 1 | 2005 | |
| Tivoli Gardens | 0 | 1 | 2004 | |
| Arnett Gardens | 0 | 1 | 2002 | |
| Seba United | 0 | 1 | 1997 |
For comparison, the following tables show the performance of all finalists in the CFU Club Championship before and during the TT Pro League era, when Trinidad and Tobago were narrowly in first place in terms of number of wins, compared to having by far the most finalists compared to other nations.
|
|
San Juan Jabloteh Football Club is a football club located in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago that plays in the country's TT Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Trinidad.
The TT Pro League is the Trinidad and Tobago professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division in the Trinidad and Tobago football league system. Contested by ten clubs, the league is one of the world's few football leagues that does not operate on an automatic system of promotion and relegation. Seasons run from September to May, with teams playing 18 games each totaling 90 games in the season. Most games are played in the evenings of Fridays and Saturdays, with a few games played during weekday evenings. Pro League clubs also play in other competitions, such as the FA Trophy, League Cup, TOYOTA Classic, Goal Shield, and Pro Bowl against domestic clubs from other divisions; and against clubs from other countries in the CFU Club Championship, the CONCACAF League and the CONCACAF Champions League.
Defence Force Football Club is a football club based in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago that currently plays in the country's TT Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Trinidad.
Joe Public Football Club is a football club from Trinidad and Tobago and used to play in the TT Pro League. Nicknamed the Eastern Lions, they are owned by former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. Joe Public also sponsors the Munroe Road Cricket Club.
W Connection Football Club is a football club from Trinidad and Tobago, which currently plays in the TT Pro League. The club plays its home games at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella. The club's offices are based at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate in Trinidad and Tobago and sponsors the Wanderers Cricket Club, formerly sponsored by Caroni Limited.
Morvant Caledonia United is a professional football team in Trinidad and Tobago's top-level TT Pro League. It is based in Morvant, and its home stadium is Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Football in Trinidad and Tobago is the most popular sport on the twin-island Republic after cricket and it is governed by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. The organisation governs all levels of football in the country, including the men's and women's national teams, TT Pro League, National Super League, and amateur leagues.
Kevon Villaroel is a Trinidadian soccer player who currently plays for the Central FC of the TT Pro League
The 2011–12 TT Pro League season was the thirteenth season of the TT Pro League, the Trinidad and Tobago professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1999. A total of eight teams contested the league, with Defence Force as the defending champions. The season began on 9 September 2011 and ended on 29 March 2012 with the crowning of W Connection as the league champion. Dexter Skeene, Pro League CEO, announced on 11 February 2011 that by aligning its seasons with those of the major leagues in Europe, the Pro League will afford the opportunity to further link culture with sport to harness and develop the talent of people in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jonathan Rafael Faña Frías is a Dominican footballer who plays as a forward for Atlético San Francisco and the Dominican Republic national team.
Joevin Martin Jones is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. He also represents the Trinidad and Tobago national team primarily playing as a left wing-back.
Julian Wade is a Dominican professional footballer who plays as a striker for Guadeloupe side US Baie-Mahault and the Dominica national team.
The 2012 Trinidad and Tobago League Cup was the thirteenth season of the First Citizens Cup, which is the league cup competition for Trinidad and Tobago teams competing in the TT Pro League. Caledonia AIA entered as the cup holders having defeated T&TEC by a score of 2–1 in the 2011 final. Continuing from previous seasons, the slogan for the year's league cup was No Room for Losers and was sponsored by First Citizens Bank for the twelfth consecutive year. To keep with the tag-line, the year's edition only rewarded prizes to the cup winners and runner-up.
The history of the TT Pro League has its roots spanning back to the 1970s and 1980s when Trinidad and Tobago experienced an upswing in support for its domestic football. Several of the national team players featured for Defence Force during its dominance of the National League, which included the Teteron Boys becoming the first Trinidadian and only second club from CONCACAF to accomplish the continental treble in 1985. In addition, the national team also rose to prominence in the late 1980s after falling short by one match of qualification for the nation's first FIFA World Cup in 1989. Optimism for the growth and community interest of football in Trinidad and Tobago was at an all-time high. However, the early 1990s would mark a low point in Trinidad and Tobago football. In 1993, after a streak of poor performances, the Soca Warriors gave its worst ever showing in the 1993 Caribbean Cup after finishing a disappointing third, which was preceded by an early exit from its '94 for Sure campaign to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup hosted in the United States.
Elton David Wallace John is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
Jomal Evans Williams is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a winger, and for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
Leston Peter Paul is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Memphis 901 in the USL Championship.
The 2019 Caribbean Club Championship was the 21st edition of the Caribbean Club Championship, the first-tier annual international club football competition in the Caribbean region, held amongst clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), a sub-confederation of CONCACAF. The tournament was played in Jamaica between 12–19 May 2019.
The 2020 Caribbean Club Championship was the 22nd edition of the Caribbean Club Championship, the first-tier annual international club football competition in the Caribbean region, held amongst clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), a sub-confederation of CONCACAF.
The 2021 Caribbean Club Championship will be the 23rd edition of the Caribbean Club Championship, the first-tier annual international club football competition in the Caribbean region, held amongst clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), a sub-confederation of CONCACAF.
| History |
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | |||||
| Clubs |
| ||||
| Competition | |||||
| Statistics and awards | |||||
| Associated competitions | |||||
| National teams |
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League system |
| ||||
| Domestic cups |
| ||||
| Awards | |||||
