Sedley Joseph Thread

[Tallman]

Sedley Joseph has passed
T&T Guardian

Former national football captain Sedley Joseph passed away yesterday at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital after he was admitted on Wednesday. He was 80.

One of the all-time greats of T&T football fraternity and Sports Hall of Famer was undergoing dialysis treatment for some time now due to kidney failure.

Joseph, who attended St Mary’s College, was a standout for Maple club in the 1960s. It was the efforts and leadership of Joseph that assisted Maple to reach the great heights of football in T&T, leading them to 28 trophies in nine years and was named T&T’s captain of the century.

Joseph captained Maple to success between 1960 and 1963, a four-year sweep of the same league title. His first class career began in 1959 and the following year he was made captain of Maple. His leadership qualities were evident and he became captain of T&T.

For eight years, he manned T&T’s midfield, making tours to Haiti, Suriname, Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, Canada, Honduras and Costa Rica.

His first daughter Monique, told Guardian Media Sports yesterday: “We were preparing mentally because of how ill he was. We knew that this day would come. We knew that daddy was not going to make it and it was better he go and be at peace. It was a rough five years for the family. The family had a big birthday celebration for him in December and we are glad that we did that for him and with him.”

Joseph captained the national team from 1964 to 1968, and was also at the helm of the Port-of-Spain Football League for many years, during which time they won the title in competition with the other outstanding leagues.

In the ten years he captained Maple, the club won the league title seven times. Under his captaincy also, T&T won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Canada in 1967 and participated in the CONCACAF finals in Honduras the same year. Joseph was voted “Player of the Year” in T&T in 1967.

During his time as T&T captain, Joseph, who lived in Valsayn, this country made its first appearance in World Cup competition against Suriname in 1965.

The former T&T football manager earned the T&T Hummingbird Medal Gold for his service to sport in 2005 and was inducted into T&T’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

His best friend Alvin Corneal said that: “He was much more than a footballer, he was my best friend and we played our footballing lives together. He was manager of the T&T football team when I was coach. We travelled all across the United States. His passing is a big shock to me and my family. He was a very encouraging captain on the field. He was never annoyed with anyone, he was a leader of men.”

The T&T Football Association (TTFA) in a release yesterday extended its deepest condolences to the family of the former Sports Editor at CT Tempo 105 Sports and football commentator following his passing.

“He displayed solid leadership skills while captaining his country and club. Respect is earned and he earned it deservingly due to his skills, dedication and leadership qualities.

“In this respect, Mr Joseph was a fine example to his fans and the public at large while he was actively engaged in sports and after retirement during which he served as a football commentator,” said the release.

“There are many values that local sports personalities and fellow Trinbagonians can learn from this legend. He worked hard to get success and he was true to his beliefs and virtues. And most importantly, his character, both on and off the field of play was exemplary. He has simply left behind a legacy worth emulating.

“Thank You Sedley Joseph for your years of service and dedication to the sport and to our country. You will be missed. May your Soul Rest in Peace.”

Joseph also received the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004 and the Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport) in 2005.

He leaves to mourn two daughters. His wife died five years ago and his only son died in 2017.

Honours for Sedley Joseph

2005 - T&T Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport)

2004 - FIFA Centennial Order of Merit

1985 - Inducted into T&T’s Sports Hall of Fame

1967 - T&T’s Footballer of the Year

[Tallman]

Football fraternity mourns loss of former football captain Sedley Joseph
By Mark Pouchet (T&T Express)

Former national midfielder Sedley “Skipper” Joseph died yesterday at the age of 80. Joseph had a fruitful footballing career, culminating with his captaincy of the national team in a five-year span from 1964-1968.

A former St Mary’s College pupil, Joseph scored nine goals wearing national colours, with his greatest achievement being a part of the squad which earned a bronze medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.

A commanding midfielder, who was also named T&T’s Captain of the Last Century, Joseph was also at the helm of the T&T team that finished fourth in the round-robin 1967 CONCACAF Championship final. For his effort that year, Joseph was named T&T Footballer of the Year in 1967.

Considered one of the all-time greats of the local game, he captained top local club Maple for ten years in a period in which the historic club dominated the competition in the Port of Spain Football League, claiming the title seven times in that period.

In first class league competition, Sedley captained Maple to a four-year sweep between 1960 and 1963 of that league title after making his first class debut a year earlier in 1959.

Following the conclusion of his career, Joseph was inducted into the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, before being bestowed the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004. He was also awarded the Trinidad and Tobago Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport) in 2005. He also spent the majority of his post-playing years as a popular radio and TV sports commentator.

TTFA communications manager Shaun Fuentes stated on his Facebook page: “May perpetual light shine upon you #SedleyJoseph... an absolute privilege and pleasure to have been able to interact with you...RIP Sincerest condolences to his family and ex-teammates from his era”, Fuentes stated.

In a tribute to Joseph, Veteran Footballer Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFOTT) president Selby Browne extended his condolences to Joseph’s daughters Monique and Nichola and the rest of the Joseph family, on behalf of his organisation.

“It is with sadness that we mourn the passing for our long standing former national football captain Sedley Joseph who succumbed to his health challenges this afternoon at the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he had been warded for the past few days,” Browne stated.

He said sympathies are also extended to the members of the Maple Sports Club and the entire football community of T&T.

“Sedley was an outstanding leader who discharged his responsibilities as captain diligently, with discipline and always extended an encouraging word to his teammates to get the best out of them,” stated Browne.

Browne said Joseph’s contribution to the nation was outstanding in his professional capacity as a T&T Customs Officer for several decades and after retirement served at a sports broadcaster for the Redifusion Group.

“In 2001, Sedley led the large regional sports broadcast team for my company CSTN to Zimbabwe for a two-month period for the first West Indies cricket tour to Zimbabwe in a triangular series that included India.”

Joseph also served as a member of the T&T Sports Foundation for several years and “his contribution to Sport in T&T demonstrated commitment at all times to club, league and nation with steadfast dedication, integrity and selflessness, always demonstrating his vested faith and devotion to God.

“As we bid farewell, we all joined in the prayer that Sedley’s soul would find warmth in the arms of God with eternal Rest In Peace,” Browne concluded.

[Tallman]

Ex-TT footballer remembered as...The best captain ever
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)

FORMER national football captain Sedley Joseph, 80, has died. Joseph was remembered as one of this country’s best leaders on the football field, a father figure and a cool customer.

The TT Sports Hall of Famer and former midfielder and defender died on Monday. Joseph, who was a football commentator after his playing days, represented the national team in the 1960s among the likes of Alvin Corneal and Gally Cummings.

Joseph, a former St Mary’s College student, earned the Hummingbird Medal Gold for his service to sport in 2005 and was inducted into TT’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

Apart from sharing the field, Corneal said he and Joseph, who grew up on Observatory Street, Port of Spain, shared a close relationship and Joseph was his best man at his wedding.

Corneal said Joseph’s health had fallen over the last few years. Corneal said, “Sedley has been much more than just a former player or a former captain. We were friends from the time we were in our teens. He was going to St Mary’s (College), I was going to Fatima (College).”

They were also teammates at Maple Football club. As captain of Maple, Joseph led the team to a successful run between 1960 and 1963 with a four-year sweep of the First Class League title.

He led Maple to the Port of Spain League title on seven occasions during his ten-year tenure as captain.

“During that period of that time over the years, it had become more than just fellow players of a club. We always took an interest in each other in things that happened in our lives all the time.”

Joseph, a former customs officer and pan enthusiast, was the TT Footballer of the Year in 1967. “He always acted, not only as a captain by giving orders, but a captain persuading people to do things that were right,” Corneal said of his leadership qualities.

“That type of leadership does not come about very often and I say without any degree of doubt that Sedley was the best leader, football captain, that this country has ever seen. There is no doubt about it and I am sure his memories from everybody it will remain in that sort of category as a leader, a friend and a tremendous footballer.” Corneal said Joseph was one of the best passers in football and a calm person.

Former national captain Clayton Morris said Joseph was always willing to guide him. “He would call me aside and give me little pointers...I had the privilege to play under him as manager of the national senior football team, that was 1991.

“I would always remember him for his honesty in how he would sum up a game and anybody performance individually.” Morris, who shared the love of pan with Joseph, said, “I want to thank him and his family too for giving him to TT (and) for what he was able to do both on and off the field because even when he finished playing, he did commentary and he was always there in the Secondary Schools (League) and making his contribution from that level.”

Former TT midfielder Angus Eve described Joseph as “one of our great captains.”

Eve, a member of the 1991 Under-20 Fifa World Youth Championship national team, said he remembers when Joseph was invited by their coach Bertille St Clair to give some words of encouragement.

“He gave us a couple motivational talks at that time...because coach Bertille had that type of respect for the man...it was very inspirational for us and he played a major part in us going to that World Cup with his words and motivation.” Eve said he was a gentleman and man of integrity.

The TT Football Association (TTFA) also mourned the death of Joseph.

“The TTFA extends deepest condolences to the family of Sedley Joseph following his passing earlier today (Monday) at the age of 80.”

The TTFA remembered Joseph as “captaining the national team during a successful era in which time the country secured a bronze medal at the 1967 Pan American Games.”

“Thank you Sedley Joseph for your years of service and dedication to the sport and to our country. You will be missed. May your soul rest in peace,” the TTFA release said.

The TTFA release said Joseph lived a life that people could admire. “There are many values that local sports personalities and fellow Trinbagonians can learn from this legend. He worked hard to get success and he was true to his beliefs and virtues. And most importantly, his character, both on and off the field of play was exemplary. He has simply left behind a legacy worth emulating.”

[Tallman]

How Sedley Joseph helped Tobago football
T&T Express

In the 1960s, the late Alfred Geyette, Hubert Mcfarlane and myself laid a new foundation for whatever has become known as football in Tobago today. I did so as a member of the Tobago Football Association, secretary of the Tobago Referees’ Association, and founder of the Slammers Club in Tobago.

Having spent the last half of the 1950s in Trinidad, I had the opportunity of enjoying and studying football there, so that when the Slammers Club was founded in Tobago in the early 1960s, I was clear about modelling its football after what I saw in Trinidad, and with this, Tobago’s football.

Topping the list of available models for me were Malvern, Maple, Shamrock, Colts, and the football of South Trinidad in general with its Doyle Griffith, Noel Daniel, Jim Lowe and so forth.

I chose Maple as my model. This was based on their style of play. Sedley Joseph was the captain of Maple at the time, and he was quite instrumental in what Maple-style football was, along with what football of that period in Trinidad was and aspired to be, which incidentally paid off by 1986.

So, for those in Tobago who have recognised and acknowledged that Slammers football changed the style of played on the island, you have Sedley Joseph to thank for much of this.

Condolences to his family and associates, but Sedley Joseph lives on through his legacy, with Tobago’s football a part of this.

Mervyn O’Neil

via e-mail

[Flex]

Hadad: Sedley certainly was a pioneer.
T&T Newsday Reports.

TRIBUTES continue to pour in for Former National Football Team captain Sedley Joseph following his passing on Monday at age 80.

In a press release, chairman of the TTFA’s FIFA normalisation committee Robert Hadad expressed sincerest condolences, describing Joseph as a pioneer in local football

“A large extent of the local community understood that Sedley Joseph was a great footballer and his importance extended well beyond football even after he retired from playing the game,” Hadad stated.

“He certainly was a pioneer of the game and can be considered as one of the great players this country produced who never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup, a stage I am sure we all believe he was worthy of being on.

“Sedley helped put T&T football on the map by leading our national team to bronze medal at the 1967 Pan American Games, a feat never again to be achieved by a national team.

“In a recent interview you recalled your time playing for Maple at the Queen’s Park Savannah where so many would remember watching you display true leadership qualities and fascinating skill and composure in the middle of the field,” Hadad added.

“The Savannah in those days held a special atmosphere during the football season, with a barely-contained frenzy that you and your team-mates created weekend after weekend. Your greatest days on the field will remembered by many with affection.

“A legacy is etched into the minds of many and the stories they share about you. And you Sedley certainly left many speaking about you then and this will continue way past your time on this earth. You will be missed but your memory will live on for many years and your name is certainly recorded in the history of our beloved country.”

[Flex]

FIFA's Infantino pays tribute to ex-T&T captain.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed condolences on the passing of former national player and captain Sedley Joseph.

In a statement issued by the world governing body and signed by Infantino on Wednesday, the FIFA boss was moved to sadness on Joseph’s sudden passing on Monday.

The 80-year-old succumbed to health challenges, on Monday, at the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he had been warded for the past few days.

“On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the TT Football Association, and to Sedley’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you. We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace in this difficult time,” the statement read.

During his career, Joseph captained the national team from 1964 to 1968, including for the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup qualifier match in February 1965 against Suriname, as well as on the occasion of the Pan American Games in Canada in 1967, winning the bronze medal.

At club level, he will be remembered for his career at Maple club, where he led the team to numerous trophies over the years.

Considered as one of the country’s iconic players, Footballer of the Year in 1967, inducted in the Hall of Fame for sport in 1987, holder of the Hummingbird Medal Gold in 2005, and awarded with the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004, Joseph’s legacy and achievements, and in particular his personality, his skills and his leadership will not be forgotten.

Meanwhile, president of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of TT (VFFOTT) Selby Browne also paid special tribute to the long-standing ex-national.

In a release issued on Monday, Browne said, “Sedley was an outstanding leader who discharged his responsibilities as captain diligently, with discipline and always extended an encouraging word to his team-mates to get the best out of them.”

Joseph was the former captain of the outstanding Maple Sports Club of the Port of Spain Football League that won the division in from 1960-63. He followed in the footsteps of his elder brother, Allan, who as captain, also led the club to the league victory in 1950-53.

As national team captain, Browne was also integral in T&T’s defeat of Argentina at the Pan American Games 1967, held in Canada.

He was also a TT customs officer for several decades and after retirement served as a sports broadcaster for the Rediffusion Group. In 2001, Joseph led the large regional sports broadcast team CSTN to Zimbabwe for two months for the first West Indies cricket tour to Zimbabwe in a triangular series that included India.

“Sedley Joseph served as a member of the TT Sports Foundation for several years and his contribution to sport in T&T demonstrated commitment at all times to club, league and nation with steadfast, dedication, integrity and selflessness, always demonstrating his vested faith and devotion to God. As we bid farewell, we all joined in the prayer that Sedley’s soul would find warmth in the arms of God with eternal Rest in Peace,” the release stated.

[Tallman]

WATCH: A service of thanksgiving to celebrate the life of Sedley Thurstan Joseph - Monday, June 15th at 9am

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xVM9tuSEUu8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xVM9tuSEUu8</a>

[Deeks]

Anyone look at Sedley's service this morning? I was not able to do it. Is there a video of it ? Blessings!

[Tallman]

Ex-TT captain was a ‘true role model’
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday)

FAMILY and friends of Sedley Joseph remembered the former national football captain as a role model at his funeral service, on Monday, at Fatima RC Church, Curepe.

Joseph, who died on June 8, leaves to mourn daughters Monique and Nichola. He was 80.

In the eulogy, Monique said she was thankful that her father did not have to suffer for a long time and happy the family was able to celebrate his 80th birthday last year. She said he was “a wonderful father and husband.”

Monique also read a statement from former national goalkeeper and team-mate Lincoln Phillips: “On behalf of my family please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your dearly beloved Dad, our dear skipper, a fantastic player, leader, role model, friend, humanitarian and husband Sedley. The skipper as we fondly addressed him both on and off the field impacted our lives in the most meaningful and positive way.”

Joseph was a TT Sports Hall of Famer and football commentator after his playing days. He represented the national team in the 1960s among the likes of Phillips and Alvin Corneal.

Joseph, a former St Mary’s College student, earned the Hummingbird Medal Gold for his service to sport in 2005 and was inducted into TT’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

As captain of Maple Football Club, Joseph led the team to a successful run between 1960 and 1963 with a four-year sweep of the First Class League title.

He led Maple to the Port of Spain League title on seven occasions during his ten-year tenure as captain.

Dr Terry Ali, chairman of the First Citizens Sports Foundation and vice-president of the TT Olympic Committee also reflected on the life of Joseph.

Ali said, “We have been blessed to have had Sedley in our sports foundation.

“He has been there with us for so long...Sedley served on the foundation for over 40 years.”

Ali said Joseph was part of the foundation since inception when it was called the Witco Sports Foundation and continued working for the foundation from 2004 to 2016 when it was renamed the First Citizens Sports Foundation.

Joseph was a former chairman of the foundation.

“Many will remember Sedley as an exceptional footballer, a reader of the game equipped with special skills.

“Many will remember him for his calm and positive leadership as a captain of both Maple and the national football team. Many will remember him for his wisdom and non-confrontational attitude as a sports administrator.

“He was a true role model to all around him.”

Ali thanked Joseph’s family for sharing him with them.