Former outstanding national footballer, Dennis “Bellies” Turton, was laid to rest today Tuesday 21st May at the St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, La Romain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Dennis died a week ago last Wednesday after ailing for sometime.
He was a former student of Presentation College and founder of the legendary Juniors Club of San Fernando, that ruled the Southern Football Association.
In fact the Juniors Club was formed at the Turton family home and all three brothers Edmund, Dennis and Val, were outstanding footballers who contributed with distinction in placing Trinidad and Tobago's football on a proud global pedestal, during the build up to Trinidad and Tobago's 1-0 defeat of Argentina in the Pan American Games of 1967, to place 3rd in the competition.
Trinidad and Tobago therefore had the distinction of attaining the third place in football of all countries throughout the Caribbean, North, Central and South America.
Mr. Selby Browne, Vice President, VFFOTT, confirmed, several members of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago turned out in their numbers to bid farewell to this former national footballer of the Turton family football dynasty of San Fernando.
His Excellency President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona made it his duty to attend the funeral today. A decision which VFFOTT members viewed as a fitting tribute to the invaluable contribution of Dennis Turton to his College, City and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
VFFOTT members and all past footballers who had the opportunity to be teammates of Dennis and those of us who played against him remember his fierce competitive winning spirit, his love for the game, after match camaraderie, and advice to younger players which will always be remembered, said Mr. Browne.
On behalf of President Gwenwyn Cust and all members of VFFOTT we extend condolences to his entire family. We are truly saddened.