Soccer ace Keith Jennings backed away from a one-year contract with Canadian side Hamilton Thunder because of the financial pressures of providing for his family in Bermuda.

According to the talented North Village player yesterday, the amount of money that Thunder were prepared to pay simply wasn't sufficient to support his young son and girlfriend back home.

Jennings departed for Canada on May 19 and played in only one practice match with the Thunder in which he suffered a slight injury before deciding to head back home last Thursday - the same day the Ontario side drew 2-2 in their season opener against Toronto Supra at home.

The Thunder concluded a tour of the Island in late April in which they came away with a 1-0 win and a 2-2 draw against local select sides.

“If I had been approached before my son was born, then I would have taken it up. But now that I have a son it's not all about me anymore,” explained Jennings yesterday.

“It was a a family decision . . . for the well being of my family and it would've been selfish of me to stay there because financially it just wasn't beneficial for me or my family to stay there. If it was a year ago I would've gone through with it but at the moment I have to ensure that my family is OK.”

The gifted Village forward was a nominee for last season's Most Valuable Player of the Year Award which was eventually won by Devonshire Cougars' marksman Raymond Beach.

“I realised that it would be more beneficial for me and my family for me to remain here and play,” he added. “It just wasn't beneficial for the monthly wage (Thunder were offering). It wasn't sufficient for me to live out there and support my family here at the same time. It would've put a tremendous strain on my girlfriend as far as her going to work two or three jobs - it just didn't make any sense.”

Jennings noted he and his family had financial obligations like everyone else.

But though his career at Thunder was brief, the player said he still enjoyed the experience.

“It was a good experience to be in that atmosphere,” Jennings insisted. “It wasn't exactly what I'd expected but it was nice to be there with a good group of players. No one was big-headed and everyone was pretty well humble. The guys were actually disappointed that I had to go but they understood the predicament that I was in.

“To go there and get paid next to nothing just wasn't worth it when I am employed as a mason here.”

Reflecting on the one practice match in which he played, Jennings said: “I slipped during a tackle and slightly pulled a muscle. So it really wasn't a serious injury which would've sidelined me for long. I just decided to rest it a bit and the doctors told me that I would've been able to play in the season opener.”