The Saint Lucia senior men’s national team has experienced a rollercoaster 12 months. After winning four of five official fixtures in 2022-2023, they’ve played 10 matches since June 2024 across FIFA World Cup Qualifying and the Concacaf Nations League, securing four wins and a draw.
Much debate has centred on squad composition, particularly the inclusion of foreign-born players. Head coach Stern John, Trinidad & Tobago’s all-time leading scorer, has embraced a blueprint used by successful Caribbean sides like his native Soca Warriors and Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz. His selections feature diaspora talents from the US, UK and Canada, overseas-based Saint Lucians and domestic players who are part of the Semi-Pro League, now in its second year.
But the cultural exchange extends beyond the pitch. John’s backroom staff includes Saint Lucia legend Francis Baba Lastic, and since September 2024, Welsh coach Nick Morgan, whose impact has been immediate.
Morgan, 43, first connected with John during their UEFA A Licence course in Wales. “We grew close friends over the 15-month duration of the course. On completion of the course in May 2024, Stern invited me over to the Caribbean for the Nations League campaign which started that September,” the Welshman told St Lucia Times.
The collaboration began brightly, with two wins in Grenada, including a statement victory over top-100 side Curaçao. Though Morgan missed November’s losses in Willemstad, he reunited with John in England this year, scouting UK-based talents Arkell Jude Boyd and Terell Thomas of English League 2 ahead of June’s World Cup Qualifiers.
Morgan rejoined the squad for qualifiers against Curacao and Barbados in Willemstad, where squad depth was tested as key players like Chris Forino and Reeco Hackett were missing. “But we still had a very strong squad with a good mixture of talented local players, experienced professional Caribbean players, and those who had travelled from the UK,” Morgan said.
“We worked hard in training in preparation for a very strong Curacao team, who were top of our qualifying group as well as in preparation for the Gold Cup. We knew the two games were going to be very different, and we had two separate game plans going into these matches.
“For the Curacao game, we would have to be disciplined out of possession and try and hit them on the break, generally spending a lot of the game without the ball. The Barbados game … we knew we had stronger players in our squad than them, but they could also cause us problems. We would look to dominate possession and set up in a more attacking formation.”
Despite a 4-0 loss to Curaçao, their fourth straight conceding four goals, the Barbados clash delivered drama, with an opposing player being sent off early in the second half. After conceding early, Saint Lucia levelled via a Caniggia Elva penalty, then won it late with another Elva spot-kick following Kegan Caull’s tireless work.
The dressing room after that 2-1 victory was special, Morgan said, as the qualifying campaign ended on a high note.
He said John had created a great family environment within the team. “Saint Lucian football is on the up,” the Welshman insisted. “As an outsider, I can definitely see the progress made. Each member of staff works tirelessly to promote a professional environment for all players to improve.”
Based in Newport, Morgan brings 15 years of UK academy and semi-pro experience, recently guiding Westfields FC up Wales’ Hellenic League. But his Caribbean commitment runs deeper. He told St Lucia Times he wanted to help the national team and lift the knowledge of local coaches.
For now, the Piton Boyz’s journey continues, with Morgan’s fingerprints increasingly evident.
