Sat, August 8, 2009

Ryan Pyette
London Free Press

Gentjan Dervishi doesn't miss playing soccer.

That, the former Canadian Soccer League all-star midfielder said, is not why he's back with London City after a two-year absence from the pitch.

"I'm back for one reason and that's Harry Gauss," said the 30-year-old Londoner, who previously spent 11 seasons with City as a player, player/coach and captain. "With all that he's been going through (Gauss, the club's former GM and coach, has been battling cancer), he took the time to call me and asked me to help out."

They sure can use him.

Not coincidentally, the club hasn't won in the two seasons he's been gone.

London entered last night's match against the Italia Shooters at Cove Road Field as the only winless team in the CSL. City managed a league-low four goals in its first 10 games.

Dervishi's flair should help create more scoring chances at the offensive end. He is currently head coach of Croatia, the highest scoring team in the Western Ontario Soccer League's premier division and one of the top contenders for the points crown.

"I'm not going to be a saviour," he said. "There's no quick fix. The (City) record is what it is. In soccer, you have to earn everything. I'm not in game shape yet but I can take care of myself.

"I just train Croatia. I don't play in the games."

Until he gets his feet, City will settle for his spirit and winning attitude. Dervishi is an ex-whirling dervish who played for the Western men's soccer team, as well as clubs in Italy and his native Albania.

"Genti's a master in the middle but he can also help out up front and be very dangerous," London GM Ryan Gauss, Harry's son, said. "After scoring 14 goals last year, everyone's double-teaming (player/coach Andrew) Loague. Genti will help and Loague will be able to call on his experience, too.

"You think of City offensively the last bunch of years and three names come to mind: Paul Munster, Loague and Dervishi."

The latter two will get a boost from one of Dervishi's premier players " Croatia's Gentjan Buzali, who is among the WOSL's top scorer and has also opted to return to City.

On the back end, the club has added sweeper Scott Patriquin, who played for the now-defunct Windsor Border Stars.