JFF honours legends of local football
Published:Tuesday | January 9, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica football legend Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, former national player and coach Geoffrey Maxwell and former local football administrators Everton ‘Bob West’ McLeary and Leander Marshall have become the first group of stalwarts to be officially honoured for their contribution to Jamaica’s football.
The quartet was recognised at a ceremony at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) office yesterday.
Cole, Jamaica’s most prominent player and the biggest crowd puller during the the late 1960s and 1970s, said he appreciated the fact that the federation took the time to honour him and the others while they are still live and not after they have passed away.
“First, I want to thank the federation for honouring us. Not just myself but the other honourees,” Cole told the gathering.
“I myself cherish these things because I remember the early days when we were playing football we got no form of honour.
“We see schoolboys these days getting citations, plaques, all these things when they score goals and their team wins. But we didn’t get these things.
“As a schoolboy I was the leading scorer in the then Division One football, I do not know if they expected me to do it but it was something that just passed by.
“In school when you were the leading scorer, they didn’t even mention it. Now they give you all kinds of recognition and it is good for the sport.
“So Mr President, I want to thank you and your organisation for this moment. It is something I will always remember and I really appreciate it,” he commented.
Former national coach Maxwell, who led Waterhouse to their first Premier League title and Excelsior to Manning Cup glory, has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years, and his son Christopher who represented him expressed similar sentiments to Cole.
“My dad is very proud for being recognised for the hard work that he has done over the years to develop the game in Jamaica.
“Many players have contacted me to tell me how much his influence has helped them to reach where they are today. So the family is very proud and happy to know that the JFF is recognising him at this time,” he stated while noting that his father was in good health despite his limited memory.
“He is not remembering a lot. But physically he’s fine,” he added.
Leg amputated
Leander Marshall, the no-nonsense disciplinarian who headed the Portmore Football League for over three decades, had his leg amputated in October after experiencing poor circulation, and he was represented by his wife Florence.
“He is proud to be receiving an award from the federation because some get it when they are gone. He is alive now and he is very thankful. He is doing much better than the other day. He wishes the federation the best, and he hopes there will be other honourees next year,” she commented.
McLeary, popularly know as ‘Bob West’, was a legendary administrator in the Corporate Area during the 1980s and early 1990s. He had a competition in his name that unearthed countless talented players back then.
However, in 1994 he was involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered severe head injuries and he is still being affected by his injuries.
JFF president Michael Ricketts revealed that apart from honouring McLeary they intend to assist him with medical treatment through their medical personnel, as well as other honourees with their personal struggles.
He also disclosed that a Hall of Fame for the nation’s most impactful contributors to the sport will be established at the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.
“Having grown up around great footballers in Clarendon, I understand the importance of showing some appreciation for the work they have done, and some would have entertained us growing up.
“People like Allan Cole, Herbert ‘Dago’ Gordon and Lenworth Hyde all played in Clarendon.
“The JFF wants to ensure we have a relationship with the past players and those who have contributed as referees, administrators, in whatever capacity.
“We will set up a Hall of Fame for these players and this is just a start of the process.
“Things are looking up for the JFF. So this year should be better from a fiscal perspective, and we hope that we will be in a position to give them far more support, so their social well-being will be taken care of,” he said.