Another one of Trinidad and Tobago’s outstanding ex-footballers has died.
Shay Seymour, an outstanding forward of the 1950s died yesterday morning at the Port of Spain General Hospital after a short illness. He was 87.
Seymour who played for the Colts team popularly known as the “Belmont Battalion” was a pioneer. He was part of the first Trinidad and Tobago team to play outside the Caribbean, on the 1953 tour of England.
In a squad that included a host of standout players of the era like strikers Carlton “Squeaky” Hinds, Matthew Nunes, goalkeeper Pat Gomez, and defenders Doyle Griffith and Delbert Charleau, captained by Joseph Gonsalves, Seymour scored five goals, including in victories over Torquay United (4-0), and Cornwall FA (4-2). Seymour also found the net in the 2-2 and 1-1 draws against the FA Amateur XI and Cornwall FA and the 2-1 defeat against Barnstaple Town.
Described as an outstanding dribbler and reader of the game, Seymour was also the second player from T&T to play professionally in England. And in 2008, was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.
Vice-president of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT) Selby Browne said the organisation received the news of Seymour’s with sadness and “extend our condolences to his wife and family, the past footballers and all members of the football fraternity.”