HE WAS regarded as “the gentleman of local football”.
Yesterday two of Trinidad and Tobago’s most successful footballers Alvin Corneal and Everald “Gally” Cummings paid tribute to Pouchet and described him as one of the nicest persons they had ever known.
Both are also crediting their achievements on the field to Pouchet who died at his Diego Martin home on Thursday last.
Cummings, who took the Trinidad and Tobago “Strike Squad” to within a point of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy said he met Pouchet while they were at Fatima back in 1965.
“Pouchet was coach of the team which gave Fatima their first Intercol title and I can tell you I am eternally grateful to have met him because he was not only concerned about my football but also my total development as a person,” said Cummings yesterday.
Pouchet was coach of the first West Indies football team which toured England in 1959 and also coached North Zone club Notre Dame.
“Pouchet was more than just a coach. He was like a brother, teacher, friend and counsellor when you needed one.
“During a match I had gotten a cut on my head which needed stitches and Pouchet was the one who took me to the St Clair Medical Hospital, so I always remembered him for being there for me,” said Cummings.
“Gally” who is considered one of the country’s best footballers said he is deeply saddened by Pouchet’s death. “I want to send out my condolences to the family of this great man.”
Meanwhile Corneal described him as “a true gentleman” of the game of football who was also a really nice person.
“He was my first coach and I can easily say that I have benefitted from him during my football days,” said Corneal yesterday.
WI football coach dies
T&T Express reports.
Noel Gordon Pouchet, former coach of the only West Indies football team, died on Thursday and will be buried tomorrow at St Finbar's RC Church, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin.
Pouchet was a club coach with Notre Dame and one of the longest-serving Trinidad and Tobago national coaches, having been at the helm between 1958-63.
He was in charge of the West Indies team which toured England between August-November 1959 and played 17 matches there, winning six, losing nine and drawing two.
That team contained ten T&T players, among them being Alvin Corneal, Tyrone De La Bastide, Willie Rodriguez, Eddie Aleong, South keeper Cax Baptiste, goalie Pat Gomez (captain), Neil Daniel and locally-based Scotsman Ronnie Gray.
"He was coach of the West Indies football team which toured England. I and Tyronne De La Bastide were the youngest players on that team. I was 17 then and Tyronne was 19," Corneal recalled yesterday.
"I remember him as a coach who was very concerned about his players and passed on helpful information, such as better eating and sleeping habits."
More on Pouchet and the 1959 British West Indies Team. (There was in fact an All Caribbean team as well including non British islands back in 1952, but it was short lived also)
From the match programme vs Crystal Palace:
Noel C. Pouchet. Trainer/Coach. In private life Mr. Pouchet is in the Sales Department of one of the largest firms dealing in automobiles in Trinidad. On leaving college he played for one of the foremost Amateur Clubs in Trinidad—Notre Dame. He retired early from active participation and devoted himself to a comprehensive study of all aspects of the game. He became a member of the Port of Spain Football League Council, and also a member of the Council of the Trinidad Football Association two years ago.