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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #870 on: December 14, 2020, 08:46:51 AM »
Gerard Houllier

September 3, 1947 - December 14, 2020

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #871 on: December 14, 2020, 09:14:15 AM »
Anele Ngcongca

21 October 1987 – 23 November 2020

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Offline Deeks

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #872 on: February 16, 2021, 06:03:44 AM »
Leopold Luque passed. Covid. He was 71. He never got the fame, but his 4 goal in 1978 were vital for Argentina WC win.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9263951/Argentina-World-Cup-winner-Leopoldo-Luque-dies-aged-71-battle-Covid.html

Offline Flex

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #873 on: February 18, 2021, 02:05:04 AM »
Former national midfielder Larry Joseph passes away.
T&T Guardian Reports.


Former national footballer Larry Joseph passed away on Wednesday at the age of 56.

The T&T Football Association (TTFA) on Wednesday extended condolences to the family of former national midfielder.

Joseph, a member of the famous 1989 "Strike Squad" pool, was also part of this country’s 1990 Shell Caribbean Cup team which reached the final of the competition that year. He also played for T&T during the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Following his retirement from playing, Joseph continued to stay active, appearing in numerous exhibition matches with the "Strike Squad" and became a member of the panel of local talk show programme "Field of Dreams" hosted by former national player Steve David.

“We are all at the TTFA deeply saddened by Larry’s passing. We have lost a true son of the sport and we join the rest of the football fraternity in mourning this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry’s family, friends and former teammates on this sad day,” said chairman of the TTFA Nornmalization Committee Robert Hadad.

RELATED NEWS

Ex-national footballer Joseph dies.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).


THE TT Football Association has sent its condolences to the family of former national player Larry Joseph, who died on Wednesday. He was 56.

Joseph, a member of the famous 1989 Strike Squad pool, was also part of this country’s 1990 Shell Caribbean Cup team, which reached the final of the competition that year. He also played for Trinidad and Tobago during the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign. Joseph had 30 caps for T&T.

After he retired from playing, Joseph stayed active, appearing in numerous exhibition matches with the Strike Squad, and became a member of the panel of local talk show programme Field of Dreams, hosted by fellow former national player Steve David.

Chairman of the TTFA normalisation committee Robert Hadad said, “We are all at the TT Football Association deeply saddened by Larry’s passing. We have lost a true son of the sport and we join the rest of the football fraternity in mourning this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry’s family, friends and former teammates on this sad day.”

Good footballer, better man.
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


An excellent footballer and a very god-fearing person is how Trinidad and Tobago Super League president Clayton Morris remembers former teammate and friend Larry Joseph - the former Trintoc and Trinidad and Tobago midfielder who passed away on Wednesday at age 56.

In expressing his condolences as Super League president, Morris said: “It’s with great sadness and pain I express condolences on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Super League to the family of Larry Joseph on his passing,” Morris stated via a release. “Trinidad and Tobago Super League members join with the rest of the football fraternity to express condolences, love, prayers and support to Larry Joseph’s family and may God grant you all the strength through these difficult times.”

And having played alongside Joseph for most of their adult football life, Morris shared with Trinidad Express some of the strong personal experiences he had during many years of interaction with Joseph. Their journey as teammates saw them team up for Trintoc, United Petrotrin, Charlotte Eagles, Petrotrin All-stars Masters and La Brea All-Stars Masters. Morris and Joseph were also members of the 1989 Strike Squad pool of players and most recently turned out in Strike Squad community outreach exhibition games. They last played together in December.

Morris and Joseph played for the powerful Trintoc team, which along with former Concacaf champions Defence Force, dominated local football for many years. Morris captained the T&T national team which in 1989 failed by a point to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup when needing just a home draw. T&T suffered a 1-0 defeat to the United States.

Joseph was a part of the initial campaign squad, but not the final one. However, he and Morris also played professionally in the United States a few years later.

“We played with Charlotte Eagles between 1994 to 1996,” Morris remembers. “I would break down the (opponent’s) attack and give the ball to Larry, who would find Philbert Jones up front and the ball would end up in the back of the net. You would then see Philbert Jones making his cartwheels (celebration), like his nephew Kenwyne (Jones) picked up later.”

He rated Joseph as an intellectual and one every coach would want in his team.

“Larry was the kind of player, as a coach, you would hope God brought somebody with that kind of understanding, “ says Morris.

“He had that passion and love to do what he had to do. He had a certain change of pace and before you know it, the ball was in the back of the net,” Morris recalls. “He had that charisma to change the outcome of a game.”

They both also shared a strong belief in God, with Morris describing Joseph as a family man, who was a very God-fearing person and strong believer.

“A true patriot, lover of his family, community and his God, Larry always had the extra in him when the moment warranted it. His last active interaction with football in December last year, was recorded on video demonstrating some of the most important skills in football. Smooth as ever, effortless as he alone does it and effective as we love seeing him on the football field. He surely will be missed.”

« Last Edit: February 19, 2021, 02:31:50 AM by Flex »
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #874 on: February 18, 2021, 03:27:58 AM »
Larry “Scamp” Joseph, A Once in a Generation Footballer
By Lance Dowrich (lancedowrichcom.wordpress.com).


The Secondary Schools’ Football League (SSFL), once called the Colleges’ Football League (CFL) has unearthed really talented youngsters over the years.

One such talent who stood head and shoulders above his peers was Larry “Scamp” Joseph. “Scamp” hailed from La Brea. Growing up his nickname was initially “Scamper” but it was abbreviated to “Scamp” as he grew out of his childish scampish ways.

“Scamp” was one of many talented footballers on the Presentation College San Fernando Bomb Squad from the 1981 Secondary Schools’ Football League. That squad is ranked forever in my mind as one of the best teams ever assembled at Presentation College San Fernando. He was a midfielder playing with a backline marshalled by the tall, broad, never-say-die, fan favourite, Brent Augustus and the huge Ian “Hard Black” David and Sean Cooper, supported on the flanks by Steve Clarke and Edison Baker. Supporting “Scamp” in midfield was Sherrod Young, Stephen “Bull” Christopher and Roger Lawrence, with Lennox Charles on the left wing and Kirk “Marty” Martinez on the right. The striker was national sprinter Anthony “Sugars” Monroe, who was so quick it was unbelievable! Victor Joseph was another member of this specially assembled team, as was Russell “Jack” Monroe, brother of “Sugars”, with many players including “Scamp” transferring into Pres as the new academic year started in September 1981. The goalkeepers were Denzil Gustave, Donovan “Don” Harry and Anthony Clarke. The coach was the indomitable Carl Osbourne.

Each of these players had their unique traits. No one could screen a ball like Lennox Charles. Ian David and Brent Augustus were two of the biggest, hard-tackling, fearsome defenders of the era, Roger Lawrence and Stephen “Bull” Christopher were two of the fittest players never to be seen on a box of cereal. Denzil Gustave had spectacular reflexes. Don Harry at six feet three inches, had the longest arms and biggest hands in the school and Anthony Clarke, also six feet plus, was a multisport athletic talent. Edison Baker earned a reputation as an overlapping wing back with an unenviable prowess for dribbling and taking the ball up field. Anthony “Sugars” Monroe would tap the ball round an opposing player, sprint past him while he seemingly turned in slow motion, score, then run past him to centre pitch as he was still turning, in time to see the ball in the back of the net.

But with a calm persona, unbelievable ball control and the ability to change gears in the twinkling of an eye, “Scamp” was the general in that star-studded squad.

This team was seemingly destined for glory. The first hurdle in that much anticipated march to eventual national honours would have been the South Zone Intercol Final in October 1981.

The build-up was monumental!

At Presentation College San Fernando, when Intercol Season begins, the anticipation gives way to dramatic scenes.

It typically started with morning assembly in the auditorium.

Led by the Principal, Brother Michael Samuel, the seven hundred and fifty strong College body standing in ordered lines by class, would lustily sing Intercol songs. Given that the College stood on a hill, the songs would be easily heard as far as Royal Castle on the Library Corner as chicken was being breaded for frying. Then, once the prolonged assembly finally ended, jerseys were collected to be screen -printed. There was scheduled “noise practice” behind the Sixth-form Block. Noise practice was the rehearsal of the rhythm section. Then the instruments were loaded into the blue and white Volkswagen School bus affectionately dubbed “Herbie”, to be transported to Skinner Park. Gigantic College Flags would have been screen printed and distributed. Men then changed into their Intercol jerseys. What about teaching? Teaching was for another day! Even if a clueless teacher wanted to have a class no one would have been paying attention as men would have been working out more pressing matters such as how to storm Skinner Park!

Intercol matches normally started at 4.00 p.m, so everybody would have left Carib Street about two hours earlier to walk down to the Park. Long before Short Street was open to vehicular traffic and when Graham’s was the only place selling salted and fresh nuts, Skinner Park was the centre of the footballing universe in a town with two top notch College Football teams, Presentation College San Fernando and another school from Broadway, close to the Broadway cemetary. Up to this day, I love gray slacks but only for church, work and to wear with my paisley shirt at special events. From Form One to the day I meet St Peter, I know that we must not lose to the school on Broadway.

So, on that fateful day, we were slated to meet the school from Broadway.

That was the day it should have all come together.

The match started.

It was a good day!

The stands behind the eastern goalpost, flanking Cipero Street and the Neal and Massy New Vehicle Showroom were teeming with people and flags waving like it was a United Nations Conference. People were all over the cycle track, rhythm sections going, men chanting….”Go Pres Go!” and “Presentation Presentation rah rah rah!”

Interspersed with the rehearsed chants were bugle calls by Presentation Sea Scouts who were there to add flavour to the appointed noise teams.

Then the unthinkable happened. Our deadly, lightning quick striker, “Sugars” was on the receiving end of a vicious tackle and catapulted into the air!

Skinner Park collectively gasped and the footballing hopes of a proud College, established in 1948, sitting majestically on a verdant hill, away from all public cemetaries, fell to the ground as Anthony “Sugars” Monroe collapsed into a heap fracturing his leg.

The silence was deafening!

In that moment of crisis, “Scamp” demonstrated all that we knew he was capable of and more. He took over the game, dribbling, repeatedly lobbying the ball diagonally to the wingers and then creating the play of the game in the form a dummy play in midfield that opened up the field. He had the Broadway boys hurriedly making for the sidelines while the ball stood still at centre pitch. It was the footballing equivalent of the parting of the Red Sea. It was majestic!

But alas, we lost the match!

Next day, as “Scamp” entered the Carib Street gate, distraught students rejoiced upon his arrival and mobbed him with dollar notes seeking his autograph. The entire team felt the love of a school that was reeling from the hurt of that loss. That sight of “Scamp” and his teammates signing dollar bills would remain with me forever!

I saw a once-in-a-generation footballer in the flesh.
Seeing “Scamp” was better than watching football on TV. His easy-going personable nature off the field belied his artistry and genius on the field of play. Like many of that era, I was spellbound, in awe, like Alice in Wonderland! Witnessing “Scamp” play, made me wonder, “how could one man be so talented?”

Off the field Scamp was calm, friendly, positive and displayed no airs. He hailed you once he knew you. And he always carried a sly grin on his face.

“Scamp” passed away today Wednesday 17th February 2021.

He represented Trinidad and Tobago at the national level in the World Cup qualifying campaigns of 1986 and 1990 and his accomplishments at all levels of football are really special. “Scamp” was a goal scorer par excellence at the Secondary School level and a man revered in his La Brea community. A friend told me that he once received a compliment from “Scamp” for a play on the field which he remembers to this day. Scamp was much more than a footballer. He was a husband and father of three children and from all reports, an exceptional man. But in 1981 when he entered Presentation, he was an unknown quantity to all of us at the College. But he played football. Football was more than a game. It was a shared passion for every student and “Scamp” played for each of us.

Larry “Scamp” Joseph shouldered the hopes of a College in a moment of despair. His passion, dedication, and style of play earned him countless admirers. Even though “Scamp” scored goals in the Colleges Football League it was in the truncated Intercol period he truly shone. He upped his game when passion was at its highest and every game mattered.

If you never saw him play you missed seeing greatness in motion.

“Scamp” was a member of the greatest football team at Presentation College San Fernando never to win it all. We will never forget him.

Rest in Peace “Scamp”.

Offline royal

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #875 on: February 18, 2021, 06:20:07 AM »
very sad news indeed about Larry..... shock !!! very mild manner guy indeed. Had the opportunity of giving him is only overseas stint at a USL club in the mid 90's. RIP my friend       

Offline Tallman

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #876 on: February 18, 2021, 10:17:34 AM »
very sad news indeed about Larry..... shock !!! very mild manner guy indeed. Had the opportunity of giving him is only overseas stint at a USL club in the mid 90's. RIP my friend       

What club was that?
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Offline Deeks

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #877 on: February 18, 2021, 10:57:39 AM »
very sad news indeed about Larry..... shock !!! very mild manner guy indeed. Had the opportunity of giving him is only overseas stint at a USL club in the mid 90's. RIP my friend       

What club was that?

May Mr. Joseph RIP. I want to say I have seen him play, but I am not sure. I remember going to Virginia Commonwealth U to see TT Shell Cup team play a warm up against a US B team. TT loss 1-0. Vranes was the coach. Jughead St. Louis, Nakhid(?) were on that team. If that was him, he looked good to decent. The TT team did not want to extend themselves for fear of any injury before the tournament. I think they did win the Shell Cup in Kingston for that tournament.

Offline royal

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #878 on: February 18, 2021, 11:03:20 AM »
very sad news indeed about Larry..... shock !!! very mild manner guy indeed. Had the opportunity of giving him is only overseas stint at a USL club in the mid 90's. RIP my friend       

What club was that?

Charlotte Eagles

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #879 on: February 18, 2021, 03:31:01 PM »
very sad news indeed about Larry..... shock !!! very mild manner guy indeed. Had the opportunity of giving him is only overseas stint at a USL club in the mid 90's. RIP my friend       

What club was that?



Charlotte Eagles

https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/history-of-the-eagles-1994-96/n-4434741

1994: The Charlotte Eagles doubled their win total to 10 wins in year two to finish with a 10-8 record and a third place finish in the nine team Atlantic Division. The Eagles defeated the Raleigh Flyers 2-0 in the Conference Semi-finals before losing to Charleston in the Conference finals. In 1994, the USISL consisted of 69 franchises of which eight franchises are still competing in the USL. The USISL's Atlantic Division's Greensboro Dynamo hosted the USISL's Sizzling Nine and won the league championship by defeating the Minnesota Thunder 2-1 in a shootout. The 1994 season would be the first of nine consecutive winning seasons for the Eagles.

The Eagles improved through the development of a number of second year players and the addition of several new players. A trio of Trinidad and Tobago National Team players (Philbert Jones, Larry Joseph and Clayton Morris) strengthened the squad. Morris, a long time captain for the T and T National Team assumed a captain's role with the Eagles. Morris solidified a defense along with some second year veteran's such as the speedy Kevin Willis, Brad McCarty, Brad McGlaughlin, Graham Dancy (England) and Meanu Kayea. Former US National Team goalkeeper Jeff Duback also joined the team.

Philbert Jones, Jon Payne (All-ACC from Clemson) and Keith Dakin became a real formidable trio in attack. Philippe Berthoud played his first of four impactful seasons. Kelly Findley and Mike Rivas, who would later work together on the coaching staff at Butler University, were among the midfielders.

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #880 on: February 23, 2021, 09:06:45 PM »
WATCH: Field of Dreams Episode 194: Tribute to Larry Joseph

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/T9HtBh4xRRA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/T9HtBh4xRRA</a>
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Offline Flex

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #881 on: February 25, 2021, 01:48:36 AM »
Ex-T&T midfielder Joseph receives guard of honour send-off.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).


FORMER national midfielder Larry Joseph received a guard of honour send-off from former teammates Clayton Morris and Brian Williams, at the La Brea Brighton Sports Ground, on Wednesday.

Joseph, who has 30 caps for T&T, passed away on February 17. He was 56. The former midfielder played for Trintoc, United Petrotrin, captained the 1990 South team against their northern rivals and went pro in 1994, joining Charlotte Eagles in the US Inter-regional Soccer League.

Morris was brought to tears during his emotional tribute to his longtime friend. He reminisced on their glory days of football on both the national, pro and domestic levels.

The former Strike Squad captain paid particular emphasis on Joseph’s integral roles in domestic victories over Cosmos in Guaracara Park, Marabella, and Alcon at the Arima Velodrome back in the day.

In the latter, Joseph scored a long-distance goal from his team’s half to catch the late goalkeeper Michael McComie off his lines. Morris and Joseph shared over 35 years playing for country and both domestic and foreign-based clubs.

“Larry was instrumental in securing many titles for every, and any team he represented. He always had the extra in him whenever it was warranted,” said Morris.

The now 54-year-old credited the late Joseph for playing instrumental roles in having the 1989 Strike Squad registered as a company. According to him, Joseph was resilient to see the team’s legacy live on.

The former teammates even travelled to Orlando, Florida in 2015 and 2017, and to New York in 2019 to meet their foreign-based fans up close and personal.

“He always reminded us that Strike Squad was a brand that could not be underestimated. In 1990, the Strike Squad reunited for a football game against prisoners from Carrera Island. I contacted Larry and other players and journeyed to the prison.

“That was a unique experience for us because we were now providing hope to fellow humans who society seemed to have cast away and forgotten,” added Morris.

Former T&T player and Joseph’s Charlotte Eagles teammate Philbert Jones also reflected on the trio’s (and Morris) stints at the US club. He deemed it was a “miracle” when the three Trinbagonians were on the field at the same time.

Additionally, paying tribute to Joseph’s football legacy in the community was longstanding La Brea Angels Masters member Randy Neptune. The former club-mate stressed how Joseph gave back to the community through sport by even starting a minor league by himself.

“I will miss my ‘soldier’. From the front door to the back door, this is Larry Joseph ground. If the Government me a chance I would have buried him on this grounds (La Brea Brighton) because he loved this field so much,” said Neptune.

Also sharing their memories of Joseph were Presentation College Old Boys Association member Darren White, La Brea Sports Foundation’s Julius Wilson and Point Fortin College 81ers (Point Fortin College’s graduating class of 1981) Diane Liverpool.

Joseph’s eulogy was read by his wife Cherryl, daughter Shimone and two sons Shimon and Akil, who all shared their past personal and private moments of the late “family man’.

After moving from Palo Seco to La Brea, in 1968, Joseph attended Brighton AC primary School and passed for PFC in 1976 where he continued to play football. He then got accepted to Presentation College where he obtained most goals in the college’s league in 1983.

After his secondary school stint, he played with Forest Reserve and was named MVP at the club level. He also acquired multiple MVP awards for Trintoc in the Caribbean Club Championship. Joseph went on to play at the national level and then went pro in 1994.

Following his funeral service, Joseph’s body was taken to the La Brea Public Cemetery. Several mourners walked alongside the hearse from the recreation ground to the cemetery to bid the former stalwart national player a final farewell.

Watch - FIELD OF DREAMS EPISODE 194 TRIBUTE TO LARRY JOSEPH

RELATED NEWS

Former national midfielder Larry Joseph laid to rest
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


Son of the soil

He cut the La Brea community field and ran minor league football in La Brea; preached monthly on family life in the La Brea Faith Pentecostal church; and was the glue that held together most of the teams.

A peacemaker, Larry Ruthven Joseph was laid to rest yesterday after a funeral at the La Brea recreation ground that he loved. Joseph was just 56 when he died. Married to wife Cheryl, he had three children Shimone, Shimon and Akil.

Yesterday’s ceremony began with Joseph’s body being brought into the venue by former Presentation College, United Petrotrin and “Strike Squad” teammates -- among them Philbert Jones, Brian Williams and Clayton Morris. Many tributes were made, with Joseph being described as a man of humility, good character, a devout Christian, family and community man.

Jones, uncle of former T&T skipper Kenwyne Jones, described Joseph as both brother and friend, while brought to tears was Morris, his friend, teammate and Petrotrin workmate of many years.

“He was a mentor that made the impossible possible,” Morris stated. “During my 35 years that I know him he demonstrated the characteristic that he was the better man.”

Prior to his burial, Joseph was celebrated on the Field of Dreams football television discussion programme, moderated by former national Steve David, and included among the guest Sean Cooper, Anthony Clarke, Jefferson George, Brian Williams and Dexter Cyrus.

“Everybody know Larry Joseph,“ said friend and former teammate Randolph Neptune. “You could walk through La Brea and ask anybody about Larry Joseph.”

“Larry has done so much for La Brea,” Neptune continued. “Larry run minor league in La Brea, the Sport Foundation, nurturing youth. From the moment you could walk, you could come and do football training with Larry.”

As an established T&T midfielder, Joseph was also a comforter to a young Dexter Cyrus, who would also go on to have an outstanding career at club and national team level. As a 20-year-old, Cyrus remembers nervously walking into a United Petrotrin club dressing room containing the majority of T&T national team starters, including Brian Williams, Clayton Morris, Dexter Francis, Anthony Rougier, Addaryl John, Anthony Sherwood, Philbert Jones and Peter Prosper, the bunch which won team of the year four or five times in seven seasons.

Cyrus remembers being starstruck, nervous and probably wondering if he was good enough to play with these guys.

“Larry would have put his hand on my shoulder and said ‘youth man, dem fellas is human being just like me and you. Yuh come here to play football, doh worry yuhself nah,’” Cyrus recalled. “And (that act) just take away all that tension. Just relax me. After that everything was good.”

Joseph was the person no one could say anything bad about noted both Cyrus and Williams. From a teenager, Joseph was a well-mannered Christian youth with a sense of humour. Joseph grew up in La Brea and after excelling with Point Fortin College’s ‘81 team, he was drafted into a Presentation College team after out-playing them in a match against his church team.

He excelled as the Presentation College team which once whipped a star-studded Signal Hill 5-0. Joseph was also prominent in the T&T senior national team, but unfortunately he vied for the same position as Russell Latapy, who went onto to ply with European teams such as Porto and Glasgow Rangers.

“The second best player I would have played with locally after Russell Latapy in terms of skill, would have been Larry Joseph,” noted Anthony Clarke, the former Presentation College and T&T national youth team goalkeeper. “I think the era of him being prominent on the national team wasn’t there because Russell was there.”

Although Joseph stood out as a midfield general in the mould of former Porto midfielder Latapy, he made a greater mark off the field as a mentor, administrator and family man and friend.

“Larry Joseph the man was even more phenomenal than Larry Joseph the player,” Clarke stated. “He was a real kicks man. Plenty people only saw Larry as this church boy, but Larry used to talk a lot of rubbish and make people laugh. He was a man of faith. he was a man of his community.”

« Last Edit: February 25, 2021, 02:00:12 AM by Flex »
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Deeks

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #882 on: February 25, 2021, 06:31:30 AM »
Rest In Peace Ball Jumbie Soca Warrior Go with God! :thumbsup: :notworthy: :salute:

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #883 on: April 30, 2021, 12:20:34 PM »



José de la Paz Herrera Uclés
21 November 1940 – 28 April 2021

Commonly known as Chelato Ucles, he was the Honduras-born Argentina-trained coach who qualified Honduras for the 1982 WC. Enduring two additional WC qualifying cycles, he was also on the bench during our 1990 campaign in which we played to a nil-nil draw at home and a 1-1 affair in Honduras (equalizer by Hutson Charles).

Chelato also coached Belize and won six national titles in Honduras. Chelato took David Suazo's generation of U-20s to the 1999 WC in Nigeria (grouped with Brazil, Spain and Zambia; did not emerge from the group). Overall he coached over 700 matches in the domestic league. Highlights of the titles with Olimpia.

In Honduras they speak about eras as "before Chelato and after Chelato".

One of his accomplishments was a 1-1 draw versus a touring Real Madrid. RM's goal scorer? Vicente del Bosque off a wicked left foot from just outside the penalty area. RM was without the players who would participate in the 1982 WC some weeks later, but it had players with NT experience in the team.

Having viewed the footage, I would say Honduras was perhaps a beneficiary of an offside goal versus Canada during the 1982 qualifying campaign, but, of course, no VAR. Don't know if that was ever widely discussed in Canada. The scorer of that goal passed away last year.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2021, 02:25:50 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #884 on: August 01, 2021, 06:04:04 AM »
Noah Gesser
February 27, 2005 - July 30, 2021

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Interview with Noah, October 2020.

🔥
« Last Edit: August 01, 2021, 06:05:44 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #885 on: August 01, 2021, 06:32:18 AM »
Zizinho
June 11, 1962 – July 29, 2021

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Offline Tallman

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Arima salutes sportsman Brian Bain
« Reply #886 on: August 02, 2021, 11:35:19 AM »
Arima salutes sportsman Brian Bain
T&T Guardian


Dear Editor

The sporting fraternity in Arima went into shock when it was revealed that outstanding sportsman Brian Bain died at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex on Sunday, July 25 seven days after his 72nd birthday.

Brian hailed from a prominent family and lived on Pro Queen Street which was well known for producing outstanding sportsmen who represented Arima at various sporting disciplines and national teams.

He was known as an outstanding footballer having represented Queen’s Royal College (QRC), Queen’s Park and Essex as a brilliant goalkeeper. He also formed part of the national team.

Brian was flashy on the field and a joy to watch as a custodian having displayed great skills and athleticism between the uprights.

Following his stint in Port-of-Spain Brian wore the Ramsbottom jersey in the Arima Football League (AFL) for many years and earned several accolades due to his outstanding performances which played a major role in his team winning the League title.

It is believed that he got his goalkeeping skills from his elder brother Brendan who also had a stint in the same capacity at QRC.

The brothers held the spotlight in the AFL competitions because many times they were on opposing teams - Brian for Ramsbottom and Brendan saved for Fulham.

Their father C.Z. Bain would often be present when the games were played but it was known that he did not allow any rivalry at home. The father was also well known in the sporting arena at the national level having officiated at several cricket games both test matches and regional games. Sports was part of the Bain DNA.

Arima was a mecca for sports. The Bain brothers lived among their neighbour's brothers Sheldon and Larry Gomes, track and field stars Ainsley Armstrong and Anthony Husbands, Lawn Tennis champions Collin Auguste and his brother and Michael Paul. Football was represented by Christopher Cummings. It was the Golden age for sports in Arima. Camaraderie and competition. No doubt it was during that period that Brian honed his passion for fair play.

Current West Indies cricket coach Phil Simmons also hails from the area known as “The neighbourhood” along with Sports Administrator the late Eustace Draper and his son Gordon who was a government minister.

Speaking for the sporting community, close friend Wayne Ruiz said it is really a very sad time having lost outstanding sportsmen like Prince Bartholomew, Sheldon Gomes, Cliff Bertrand and now Brian.

Apart from his stint as a professional footballer, Brian was a Banker and Insurance Agent and he also served as an Administrator for Arima United and Memphis Football teams.

It is difficult to encapsulate the measure of such a man as Brian Bain but prominent Arimians such as Neil Giuseppi captured his personality “He was the centrepiece of any lime among the boys, and he was loved by all. To use a worn cliche, while he walked with kings, he never lost the common touch.”

Former Mayor, current MP for D’Abadie O’Meara Lisa Morris-Julian articulated our grief “Arima is in deep mourning for the loss of our Gens De Arime. Brian Bain was a general and gentleman. A friend to all, enemy to none...” Valerie Laurent- Thomas wished him well “Blessed travels my darling Brian...there will be rejoicing at your arrival.”

His brother Dr. Brendon Bain will be coming home from Jamaica to face his brother on the opposing side for the last time.

Condolences are extended to his devoted wife Carol, beloved sister Carol and the rest of his family.

Ashton Ford
Former Mayor of Arima
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #887 on: August 16, 2021, 03:23:36 PM »
Kelvin Berassa (January 2nd 1939 - August 7th 2021)

Homegoing Celebration

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Memories

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #888 on: August 19, 2021, 04:48:58 AM »
Gerd Müller
November 3, 1945 - August 15, 2021

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Gerd Miller was definitely the most important player in the history of German football.

--- Jupp Heynckes
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Mr. Cha Cha Cha: Selby Browne remembers Kelvin Berassa
« Reply #889 on: September 05, 2021, 07:55:32 AM »
Mr. Cha Cha Cha: Selby Browne remembers Kelvin Berassa
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)


On August 14, 2021, the membership of VFFOTT joined with Kelvin Berassa’s wife, Eula Berassa, his children, grandchildren, the entire family and all his team-mates of the Malvern Club, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment and the T&T national team of the 1960s to bid farewell to the local football legend. He died on August 7 in the United States, at age 82.

As president of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT) I extend my condolences to the Berassa family on behalf of the membership and friends of VFFOTT.

The expression of sympathy is also extended to the members of the Malvern Sports Club, the Regiment—now Defence Force— and the entire local football family.

As a footballer of the 1960’s, “KB” was outstanding, and the skill he demonstrated on the field made his name well-known to fans in several households. With confidence in his ability, he inspired his team-mates to perform at the highest level, leaving them feeling assured they would defeat anyone. That strength in character, confidence and faith in God was the hallmark of his life. His discipline and diligent training along with his humour and clever, quick thinking, cemented the team spirit.

“I have lost a brother indeed,” says KB’s Malvern pal Clive Niles.

The sentiment was shared by another team-mate, Tim Lambkin. He also remarked on the way Berassa operated on the field. He stated that KB’s major attribute was his ability to create space for both himself and his team-mates. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Ulric “Buggy” Haynes who joined Malvern as a youngster, Doyle Griffith who welcomed KB to the national team, Bobby Sookram, Alvin Corneal, Gerry Browne and Victor Gamaldo.

How well I recall Leroy De Leon’s greeting when he first met KB at a Carnival lime at the Queens Park Savannah, years ago. A local legend himself, De Leon repeated KB’s name in awe, telling him that as a little boy while playing football, “I would tell them my name is Kelvin Berassa.”

Lincoln Phillips said KB was a treasure, his style of play lifting the performance of all his team-mates. And Eddie Hart said KB was the complete footballer, an excellent header of the ball, whose running off the ball was amazing. And even with his outstanding dribbling skills, he was always a team player.

As a youngster, I was privileged to see and enjoy the highest quality football at the oil company grounds in the Southern Football League (SFL) and at Skinner Park in the Southern Football Association (SFA) when my family resided in Point Fortin. When I returned to reside in north Trinidad, I also enjoyed the football magic of the Malvern Sports Club, the “Glamour Boys” of the Port of Spain Football League. The “Cha Cha Cha” style of Malvern and Berassa was the best.

On my last phone call with KB, on May 29, he spoke of different things, including his lament at the loss of the annual North vs South primary schools match and the successful community, inter-league and zonal structure that proved successful. He wanted to see a return to the structure that worked well and built the football in the communities and zones.

KB initially started off life in St Joseph but eventually moved to Port of Spain where he attended primary school and played for the North primary school team which included Carlton Franco and was captained by Mervyn “Breadknife” Ross. Their good friend Aldric “Son” Baptiste was captain of the South team.

KB received a scholarship to attend the Progressive Educational Institute like many of the other Malvern players, an initiative of Hamilton Holder. Dom Basil Mathews did a similar thing at St Benedict’s College in south Trinidad.

KB then played in the Northern League and was an outstanding goal-scorer as a member of Malvern. The team won several trophies, inlcuding the FA Trophy, the Best Dark Virginia Cup, the Governor’s Cup, Constantine Cup, Golden Chisholm Cup, and the Champion of Champions Trophy. When the nucleus of the Malvern team joined the Regiment, the successful trophy haul continued. As a national player his record was 25 matches played, 20 goals scored.

We give thanks and cherish the wonderful memories of the successful Malvern team led by Carlton “The General” Franco, which included, Arthur “Jap” Brown, KB, Ken Hodge, Eddie Hart, Clive Niles, Tim Lambkin, Ken Henry, Hamil Murray, with Clive Burnett, “The Milo Man” in goal.

The Malvern forward line of Brown, Berassa, Franco, Hodge and Hart were selected to be the Port of Spain Football League forward line, something similar to the historic achievement by Malvern in the 1940s when the entire forward line represented the T&T national team that won the Standard Cup against British Guyana.

That style of play was largely due to the many creative skills, talent and sharpness of mind of Berassa.

The spectators were fascinated by Malvern’s “Cha Cha Cha” dance and style of play, and the matches were broadcast live on the Voice of Redifussion radio stations throughout the Caribbean with commentary by the popular Raffie Knowles.

As the members of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT) join in celebration of the 59th anniversary of Independence for Trinidad and Tobago first established on August 31st 1962, we reflect on the joy, excitement and confidence that occasion brought to our new nation; and the confidence that informed the outlook of the entire T&T football fraternity at that time. Kelvin Berassa shared that excitement and confidence. And football was quickly seen as a positive way to demonstrte this new nationhood.

Few will recall the fact that Dr Eric Williams, premier of Trinidad and Tobago, made it his duty to have the Trinidad Football Association (TFA) host a goodwill series between the national football teams of T&T and Suriname, who were recognised back then as the best in the region, to commemorate the achievement of Independence.

Dr Williams was a sports enthusiast who played both cricket and football at his alma mater Queens Royal College. He recognised the significant benefits sport could bring to the new nation, football in particular. He urged Eric James, the TFA’s general secretary to host the series.

Two matches were played at the Queens Park Savannah and the third at Guaracara Park, Pointe a Pierre.

The T&T football fraternity was convinced our new nation could beat any of the top teams in the world: “Bring on Argentina, Brazil, England or Germany” was the call. And within the first five-year period of nationhood, the T&T national team defeated both Argentina and Colombia. The result was in the main due to Berassa, who scored three of five goals in T&T’s defeat of Colombia 5-2, after being two goals down. KB also scored the goal to defeat Argentina 1-0 at the Pan American Games in 1967.

In those days, the football teams were a microcosm of the society, and along with the supporters of the steelband fraternity, engendered a spirit of harmony which reflected the growing of confidence and harmony implicit in the expression of our fledging spirit of nationhood. However, Dr Williams’s vision for the role of sport and culture in nation-building remains elusive, but we know that there is the hope for our salvation.

This is the background against which the football entertainer“KB” Berassa - “Mr. Cha Cha Cha”—demonstrated his magic.

Thank You Kelvin “KB” Berassa for the fond memories that we shall always cherish. You lived your life with the tenets of our Malvern Club Motto: Victoria Concordia Crescit —Victory Through Concord.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline soccerman

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #890 on: December 03, 2021, 01:07:52 PM »
I'm hearing that Tony Harford passed away this morning. I know he did a lot administratively for the North Zone Association, local football and sports in general. I vividly remembered him as a broadcaster on the news. May he RIP!

Offline Brownsugar

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #891 on: December 12, 2021, 10:20:40 AM »
I'm hearing that Tony Harford passed away this morning. I know he did a lot administratively for the North Zone Association, local football and sports in general. I vividly remembered him as a broadcaster on the news. May he RIP!

Yeah, I actually felt a tinge of sadness at the news.  Can't remember hearing his name in any bachanal football wise.  Seemed to genuinely like the sports and the country and wanted the best for both.  May he R.I.P.
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #892 on: December 21, 2021, 02:49:42 AM »
Likely related to de Rasta and Osagi

RIP Osagi.

NB: Original link repaired. Replaced with the original CONCACAF article although that same article now bears a date post-2013.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2021, 03:03:55 AM by asylumseeker »

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #893 on: February 06, 2022, 08:10:35 AM »
The tragedy of Marc-Vivien Foé, soccer's forgotten hero
By Isifu Wirfengla, AP


The tragedy of Marc-Vivien Foé’s death hits much harder at his gravesite.

It overlooks a soccer field, but not the kind the late Cameroon and Manchester City player wanted. The goalposts are part of a shoddy metal frame, unpainted and leaning to one side. The field is bare earth and lined with trash.

There’s a crumbling building nearby with windows and parts of walls missing. The whole site once became a haven for criminals and drug users.

This was meant to be Foé’s dream.

When Foé collapsed on a field while playing for his country at FIFA’s Confederations Cup in 2003 and died in an awful moment for world soccer, he was in the process of building a sports complex and school in the eastern outskirts of his hometown of Yaounde. It was to be his legacy, his gift to his people and a precious resource for budding young soccer players in a part of the world where they get little help.

Foé never got to finish it and instead it became his final resting place.

But at Foé’s funeral, when he was buried with military honors and hailed as a “fallen national hero,” promises were made by representatives of the Cameroon government that the project would be completed in his memory. Nearly 20 years later, it’s in ruins. The only part of the complex that isn’t broken down is the marble block that marks Foé’s grave.

Foé’s nephew, Nama Mvogo, says he visits every week to clean the grave. Every time, he’s struck by how forsaken it appears.

“I feel that my uncle has been abandoned,” Mvogo said. “Even to come and see his tomb, (there’s) nothing. It’s deplorable.”

The last month has been a painful one for Mvogo as he watched his central African country host the African Cup of Nations, the continent’s biggest soccer tournament, for the first time in 50 years. It’s a tournament Foé won twice with Cameroon and Mvogo thought it would be the perfect opportunity to revive Foé’s project, or at least recognize him.

But there was no mention of Foé at the tournament, Mvogo said, and watching Cameroon’s current team play at this African Cup invoked nothing but sadness for him.

Foé played for Cameroon for a decade and also became a popular player in England with West Ham and Manchester City. He died at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition, which was discovered in the days after he slumped to the ground in the center circle at the Gerland stadium in Lyon, France during the Confederations Cup semifinal against Colombia. It united world soccer in grief.

Tens of thousands lined the streets of Yaounde for his funeral procession. Then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Cameroon President Paul Biya attended the service but Foé’s true value as a person was only revealed when an unknown 14-year-old boy stood up and explained how the soccer star had been paying for him to attend a special center for the disabled.

Since then the academy project fell into disrepair. Mvogo said its future is complicated and Foé’s father and widow, who live in France, and the government haven’t been able to work together to revive it.

But it’s not completely abandoned.

Two small soccer schools make use of the land, somehow managing to train and play games in the dirt near Foé’s grave. The original field Foé marked out was overgrown with palm trees long ago, Mvogo said.

Goalkeeper David Neabo, who plays for an under-9 team, stands under those crooked goalposts clutching a ball. His coach, Ewodo Yves Laurent, said he still invokes Foé’s memory to inspire the kids, who weren’t even born when Foé died and can’t really grasp his success from the dilapidated state of the academy.

“I tell them about Marc-Vivien Foé, who also motivated me to come here,” the coach said. “When I look at what he did, what he became in life, I ask myself why not sustain his dream?”

The only image of Foé at the complex is a statue of him in Cameroon’s team uniform, his right arm raised in celebration. But its proportions are not quite right and the figure appears stunted and doesn’t resemble the powerful 6-foot-2 midfielder Foé was. Years of neglect have chipped away at it and Foé’s green Cameroon shirt is faded and discolored.

Mvogo doesn’t know if his uncle’s dream will ever be realized but a recent incident did give him hope for the future. He came across Eric Djemba-Djemba, the former Manchester United midfielder and Foé’s Cameroon teammate, visiting the grave.

“He said he couldn’t afford to be in Cameroon and not stop here,” Mvogo recalled.

Foé’s memory, at least, remains alive for some.




Offline E-man

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #894 on: February 26, 2022, 11:51:36 AM »
We had a chance to visit Larry's family one year on from his passing. My wife is a first cousin of his. His daughter runs a pizza joint in front of the residence in La Brea.



Ex-T&T midfielder Joseph receives guard of honour send-off.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).


FORMER national midfielder Larry Joseph received a guard of honour send-off from former teammates Clayton Morris and Brian Williams, at the La Brea Brighton Sports Ground, on Wednesday.

Joseph, who has 30 caps for T&T, passed away on February 17. He was 56. The former midfielder played for Trintoc, United Petrotrin, captained the 1990 South team against their northern rivals and went pro in 1994, joining Charlotte Eagles in the US Inter-regional Soccer League.

Morris was brought to tears during his emotional tribute to his longtime friend. He reminisced on their glory days of football on both the national, pro and domestic levels.

The former Strike Squad captain paid particular emphasis on Joseph’s integral roles in domestic victories over Cosmos in Guaracara Park, Marabella, and Alcon at the Arima Velodrome back in the day.

In the latter, Joseph scored a long-distance goal from his team’s half to catch the late goalkeeper Michael McComie off his lines. Morris and Joseph shared over 35 years playing for country and both domestic and foreign-based clubs.

“Larry was instrumental in securing many titles for every, and any team he represented. He always had the extra in him whenever it was warranted,” said Morris.

The now 54-year-old credited the late Joseph for playing instrumental roles in having the 1989 Strike Squad registered as a company. According to him, Joseph was resilient to see the team’s legacy live on.

The former teammates even travelled to Orlando, Florida in 2015 and 2017, and to New York in 2019 to meet their foreign-based fans up close and personal.

“He always reminded us that Strike Squad was a brand that could not be underestimated. In 1990, the Strike Squad reunited for a football game against prisoners from Carrera Island. I contacted Larry and other players and journeyed to the prison.

“That was a unique experience for us because we were now providing hope to fellow humans who society seemed to have cast away and forgotten,” added Morris.

Former T&T player and Joseph’s Charlotte Eagles teammate Philbert Jones also reflected on the trio’s (and Morris) stints at the US club. He deemed it was a “miracle” when the three Trinbagonians were on the field at the same time.

Additionally, paying tribute to Joseph’s football legacy in the community was longstanding La Brea Angels Masters member Randy Neptune. The former club-mate stressed how Joseph gave back to the community through sport by even starting a minor league by himself.

“I will miss my ‘soldier’. From the front door to the back door, this is Larry Joseph ground. If the Government me a chance I would have buried him on this grounds (La Brea Brighton) because he loved this field so much,” said Neptune.

Also sharing their memories of Joseph were Presentation College Old Boys Association member Darren White, La Brea Sports Foundation’s Julius Wilson and Point Fortin College 81ers (Point Fortin College’s graduating class of 1981) Diane Liverpool.

Joseph’s eulogy was read by his wife Cherryl, daughter Shimone and two sons Shimon and Akil, who all shared their past personal and private moments of the late “family man’.

After moving from Palo Seco to La Brea, in 1968, Joseph attended Brighton AC primary School and passed for PFC in 1976 where he continued to play football. He then got accepted to Presentation College where he obtained most goals in the college’s league in 1983.

After his secondary school stint, he played with Forest Reserve and was named MVP at the club level. He also acquired multiple MVP awards for Trintoc in the Caribbean Club Championship. Joseph went on to play at the national level and then went pro in 1994.

Following his funeral service, Joseph’s body was taken to the La Brea Public Cemetery. Several mourners walked alongside the hearse from the recreation ground to the cemetery to bid the former stalwart national player a final farewell.

Watch - FIELD OF DREAMS EPISODE 194 TRIBUTE TO LARRY JOSEPH

RELATED NEWS

Former national midfielder Larry Joseph laid to rest
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


Son of the soil

He cut the La Brea community field and ran minor league football in La Brea; preached monthly on family life in the La Brea Faith Pentecostal church; and was the glue that held together most of the teams.

A peacemaker, Larry Ruthven Joseph was laid to rest yesterday after a funeral at the La Brea recreation ground that he loved. Joseph was just 56 when he died. Married to wife Cheryl, he had three children Shimone, Shimon and Akil.

Yesterday’s ceremony began with Joseph’s body being brought into the venue by former Presentation College, United Petrotrin and “Strike Squad” teammates -- among them Philbert Jones, Brian Williams and Clayton Morris. Many tributes were made, with Joseph being described as a man of humility, good character, a devout Christian, family and community man.

Jones, uncle of former T&T skipper Kenwyne Jones, described Joseph as both brother and friend, while brought to tears was Morris, his friend, teammate and Petrotrin workmate of many years.

“He was a mentor that made the impossible possible,” Morris stated. “During my 35 years that I know him he demonstrated the characteristic that he was the better man.”

Prior to his burial, Joseph was celebrated on the Field of Dreams football television discussion programme, moderated by former national Steve David, and included among the guest Sean Cooper, Anthony Clarke, Jefferson George, Brian Williams and Dexter Cyrus.

“Everybody know Larry Joseph,“ said friend and former teammate Randolph Neptune. “You could walk through La Brea and ask anybody about Larry Joseph.”

“Larry has done so much for La Brea,” Neptune continued. “Larry run minor league in La Brea, the Sport Foundation, nurturing youth. From the moment you could walk, you could come and do football training with Larry.”

As an established T&T midfielder, Joseph was also a comforter to a young Dexter Cyrus, who would also go on to have an outstanding career at club and national team level. As a 20-year-old, Cyrus remembers nervously walking into a United Petrotrin club dressing room containing the majority of T&T national team starters, including Brian Williams, Clayton Morris, Dexter Francis, Anthony Rougier, Addaryl John, Anthony Sherwood, Philbert Jones and Peter Prosper, the bunch which won team of the year four or five times in seven seasons.

Cyrus remembers being starstruck, nervous and probably wondering if he was good enough to play with these guys.

“Larry would have put his hand on my shoulder and said ‘youth man, dem fellas is human being just like me and you. Yuh come here to play football, doh worry yuhself nah,’” Cyrus recalled. “And (that act) just take away all that tension. Just relax me. After that everything was good.”

Joseph was the person no one could say anything bad about noted both Cyrus and Williams. From a teenager, Joseph was a well-mannered Christian youth with a sense of humour. Joseph grew up in La Brea and after excelling with Point Fortin College’s ‘81 team, he was drafted into a Presentation College team after out-playing them in a match against his church team.

He excelled as the Presentation College team which once whipped a star-studded Signal Hill 5-0. Joseph was also prominent in the T&T senior national team, but unfortunately he vied for the same position as Russell Latapy, who went onto to ply with European teams such as Porto and Glasgow Rangers.

“The second best player I would have played with locally after Russell Latapy in terms of skill, would have been Larry Joseph,” noted Anthony Clarke, the former Presentation College and T&T national youth team goalkeeper. “I think the era of him being prominent on the national team wasn’t there because Russell was there.”

Although Joseph stood out as a midfield general in the mould of former Porto midfielder Latapy, he made a greater mark off the field as a mentor, administrator and family man and friend.

“Larry Joseph the man was even more phenomenal than Larry Joseph the player,” Clarke stated. “He was a real kicks man. Plenty people only saw Larry as this church boy, but Larry used to talk a lot of rubbish and make people laugh. He was a man of faith. he was a man of his community.”



Offline Tallman

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #895 on: February 26, 2022, 01:58:33 PM »
We had a chance to visit Larry's family one year on from his passing. My wife is a first cousin of his. His daughter runs a pizza joint in front of the residence in La Brea.



Nice one E-man. Larry was ah cool brother.
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Offline Deeks

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #896 on: February 26, 2022, 10:46:28 PM »
Nice one Tallman. Blessings.

Offline Tallman

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #897 on: April 07, 2022, 05:00:54 PM »
Former footballer Akeem Benjamin among 2 shot dead by police
By Jensen La Vende (T&T Newsday)


A FORMER T&T Pro League football player was among two men who were shot dead by police after a shootout at the abandoned Flavorite ice-cream factory off Boundary Road in El Socorro on Wednesday.

The men may have been on the compound to steal scrap iron, police said.

Police reported that at about 12.20 pm, North Eastern Division Task Force officers on patrol, got information that men were seen lurking on the compound of the abandoned factory.

Officers went to the scene and saw a man jumping a fence and running off.

They then saw two men running into a room in the abandoned building. Police said the cornered men fired on the officers who returned gunfire. The wounded men were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where they were pronounced dead on arrival. A revolver and a pistol were seized from the men.

One of the men was later identified as Akeem “Battery” Benjamin, 32, of Burke Trace, Barataria while the other man remained unidentified up to press time on Wednesday.

Benjamin was said to be a former T&T Pro League footballer who played as a defender and who also played for several pro-league football clubs including San Juan Jabloteh, W. Connection and Central FC.

The other dead man was unidentified up to press time on Wednesday. A third man from John John, Port of Spain was arrested and is being questioned by police.

This is the third man killed by police in the El Socorro area this year.

In February, Denille Robinson died at hospital after he was shot following a robbery spree. Robinson, 24, and a gang of ten robbed Samaroo's, Reliable Appliances, Carpet World and AEC Scaffolding at a warehouse complex off Boundary Road, El Socorro.
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Offline Deeks

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #898 on: April 08, 2022, 07:27:35 AM »
 >:( >:( >:(

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Re: The In Memory Of Thread
« Reply #899 on: November 30, 2022, 04:54:09 AM »
Andres Balanta
January 18, 2000 - November 29, 2022

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#5 clásico. Playing against Vinicius Jr. as a JNT player.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2022, 08:14:59 AM by asylumseeker »

 

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