ST GEORGE’S, March 25, 2012 – After an absence of more than two decades, organized community football
competition has returned to Old Trafford Playing Field in Tanteen, St.
George’s.
A tournament for players age 40 and over was launched Sunday, March 25,
with a March Pass of teams and three friendly matches.
Sunday’s matches, which were witnessed by a wide cross-section of
spectators of various age groups, including community stalwarts such as Walter
St. John, Bruce Bain, Lincoln “Bella” Thomas and Lennox “Laylay” James,
featured a number of former junior and senior national footballers. Among them
were Jude “Bolahead” Julien, Christopher “Tiggis” Bernard, Lincoln “Toro”
Depradine, Dexter “Piey” Mitchell, and Kenton “Fry” Roberts.
Competitive games in the tournament, which is sponsored by United
Insurance, will be played on weekends, starting on Saturday afternoon, March
31.
The organising committee, chaired by Michael St. John, has said that
among the tournament’s objectives are reestablishing strong bonds of friendship
and showcasing the skills of the retired soccer players.
It’s also to rekindle community “pride and unity;’’ “to provide a forum
for recreation and entertainment;’’ as well as to “remember and recognise
outstanding St. George’s footballers of the past’’ that are considered football
heroes and community role models.
Old Trafford had lost its original attraction as premier sporting venue,
particularly after the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Following the
hurricane, classrooms were set up on the field for use by students of T.A.
Marryshow Community College.
For many years, motorists also used Old Trafford as a parking lot.
However, the playing field was rehabilitated and upgraded last year
through a joint collaboration involving the Ministry of Sports, the Carenage
Organisation for Recreation and Entertainment, and MP for the Town of St.
George, Peter David.
David, who is also Tourism Minister and General Secretary of the
National Democratic Congress, said he was disappointed that he was unable to
participate in Sunday’s football tournament opening. He was attending a General
Council of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Carriacou.
“I’m delighted, however, that Old Trafford – where I spent many
afternoons in the 1970s watching good football from teams like Phoenix, NJM
United, Tanteen Scrunters and Halifax City – is once again the site of
competitive and exciting football,’’ David said.
“I offer my best wishes to the teams and the organizers,’’ he added. “I
assure them that I will be attending games and will provide whatever support is
needed to make the competition a success.’’
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