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29
Fri, Mar

Typography

He is well known for his accurate passes, ability to score goals, good ball control and speed. But when he steps onto the Hasely Crawford Stadium against Croatia tomorrow, Trinidad and Tobago's charismatic midfielder, Roderick Anthony, will take on new responsibilities. He is the man wearing the captain's armband for Team 2001.

"We had little difficulty in appointing him captain," manager Russell Tesheira said last week.

"He is a very good team player, commands the respect of the players and is very knowledgeable about the game."

Still the announcement that he would be the guiding light on the local team, caught the 17-year old Naparima College student by surprise.

"There were times during the preparations when I thought I would be dropped. Sometimes I was on the team, sometimes I looked on from the stands.

"I really felt like quitting, but I wondered what I would tell my father if I quit. So I continued and decided to work harder," he said.

The results were staggering. Anthony soon found himself a regular starter, and more surprisingly, was named captain.

"Boy, I never led a team in my life," he added.

"I am quite sure it was blessings from God."

Why blessings?

Anthony explained he lived a don't care life before meeting W Connection's goalkeeping coach Anthony Clarke who invited him to the Faith Centre Church earlier this year. Since then he has become a regular visitor and his religious convictions have been boosted.

"I have had no regrets," he said.

Anthony has had to overcome several setbacks, including the death of his mother, on the way to his current place on Team 2001.

His mother Maudress died at the Scarborough General Hospital on October 11, 1998, after suffering a heart attack.
He was then 14, and living at Buccoo Point, Tobago.

Anthony still regrets he was not with her in her last moments. He confided, however, that after the initial shock, he decided he had to be mature about the tragedy.

"My mother died when things were going well for me in football," he said during a 30-minute interview in the hotel area of the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence.

"It was terrible at first but I decided if I gave up playing, things would be harder."

He said he would have loved his mother to be present when he leads the team onto the field tomorrow.

"I wished she was here to see me now, after all she and my dad sacrificed quite a bit to make sure that I always had my football gear."

Anthony, a staunch supporter of Brazilian Ronaldo, remembered playing the game from the age of nine, with his seven older brothers in his village in Buccoo Point.

He claims to have been a good track prospect but this had to give way to football. He left St Nicholas Primary School in 1995 en route to Elizabeth's College, where he continued playing.

In 1998, he was selected for training with the Under-17 national team, with a view to the 2001 World Cup.

As a result of his selection, Anthony was transferred to Naparima College, where he trained under the watchful eyes of the school's coach, Jan Steadman.

Anthony said because of the football he was unable to sit his CXC exams in mathematics, English language, literature, geography, history, human and social biology and principles of business.

But arrangements have since been made for him to do the exam next year with the Ministry of Education.

Since his relocation, Anthony has played with distinction for Naparima for the past two years, during which time the school won the Intercol triple crown in 1999 and the South Zone title last year.

"Having to relocate was difficult at first but I decided to stick things out in order to fulfil my dreams of becoming a professional footballer."

How does his family feel about Anthony's achievements?

His brother-in-law, Gary Chance, said the entire family was elated and will be backing him 100 per cent.

"His father is very proud," Chance said, adding, Anthony's brother, Inskip Rochford and the senior Anthony will more than likely be coming to the games.

"From where he came, we are all very proud of him. He works hard and takes the game seriously," Chance said.

He added Anthony loved the game so much that from a very tender age, the T&T player used to dress up in long-sleeved padded jerseys pretending he was a goalkeeper.

"I used to tell him when he gets his contract, he should not sign it without me," Chance joked.

The new T&T captain paid tribute to a number of people who have helped him over the past months.

"Professor Rene Simoes not only teaches, but prepares one for life after football while coach Ken Elie is a very dedicated and knowledgeable man."

The young skipper has not allowed his current position to lift him off the ground.

"One must always remember where they came from," he said.