Recognising the sterling contribution to football made by several past players and administrators, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) made over over 50 tickets available to past players and administrators for last Tuesday’s match against New Zealand at Hasely Crawford Stadium, through the Veteran Footballers Foundation Of Trinidad and Tobago, (VFFOTT).
Vets president Gwenwyn Cust lauded the gesture and said they had been advocating for this for a long time, and was happy the TTFA is making positive steps in the right direction.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association must be heartily congratulated for finally recognising the sterling contribution to football made by several past players and administrators,” Cust said in a release. “Hats off to the due consideration given by (TTFA president) Mr Raymond Tim Kee and (general secretary) Mr Sheldon Phillips as they communicate with VFFOTT.”
After discussions with Tim Kee and Phillips, Cust was given the task of selecting deserving recipients for the complimentary tickets. Cust consulted with Steve David, Lyle Jeffrey, Selris Figaro and Tansley Thompson, all members of VFFOTT’s executive.
Recipients included Shay Seymour and Carlton “Squeakie” Hinds, two of three surviving members of the first National Team to tour England in 1953, the other being Doyle Griffith, who resides abroad.
Squeakie, also dubbed “The Prince of Forwards”, was most present and was in the company of Kenny Akal, another stalwart of the past, who is now wheelchair bound. Other invitees included Gerry Browne, Clayton Morris, Brian Williams, Henry Quanvie, Eddie Hart, Osmond Downer and Lennox Sirjuesingh the latter two being outstanding former FIFA referees.