Outstanding former national player Leroy “Dilly” De Leon remains warded at the San Fernando General hospital, and the body representing past players is calling on the wider community to offer prayers for his recovery.
De Leon, 76, a former midfield star for both the St Benedict’s College team of the late 1960s and Trinidad and Tobago, suffered a stroke on December 28 and was rushed to the Pt Fortin Hospital.
He was speechless and motionless. He was hospitalised at Pt Fortin, received treatment and was discharged on Monday December 30 to a senior citizens home in Cap De Ville, Pt Fortin.
On Tuesday morning he suffered a second stroke and was rushed back to the Pt Fortin Hospital.
There he received treatment and was moved to the San Fernando Hospital.
Contacted yesterday, president of the Veterans Football Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT), Selby Browne reported that De Leon’s right side is “severely affected” and he remains unable to speak.
Since falling ill, De Leon has been visited by VFFOTT vice-president and ex-St Benedict’s player Keith Renaud, while former players, Dr Richard Noel and retired physician Dr Alvin Henderson have also been monitoring his situation.
And while visitors to the San Fernando facility are restricted at this time, Browne is calling on the country to keep De Leon in its thoughts.
“We have called on all our members to join in prayer for Leroy…We continue in ardent prayer for his return to fullest health in the shortest possible time,” said Browne, adding, “I call on the wider sporting community as I have with the Anglican diocese to keep Leon in their prayers.”
Some of De Leon’s family members are expected in the country from the United States soon.
Part of the St Benedict’s College teams that established the school’s football legacy under principal Dom Basil Matthews in the 1966/67 period, De Leon was described by Browne as “one of the most outstanding, creative players in the midfield. For the youngsters, he is in the same mould as Russell Latapy.”
De Leon was also one of the pioneers from Trinidad and Tobago along with players like Steve David and Everald “Gally” Cummings who contributed to the development of the North American Soccer League in the United States in the 1970s.
Up to the time of falling ill, De Leon was assisting with the development of youth players at T&T Premier League Tier One club Pt Fortin Civic, run by David.
SOURCE: T&T Express