History almost repeated itself on Sunday night. The Stars of the East came from behind to level the score 2-2 with the Stars of the West in the Wray and Nephew Premier League match- up at Compound.There was string of expletives emanating from the vicinty of the JJ possee when BT extended their lead to 2-0 shortly after the second half started. As it was in ’85 & ’86 ,a team was once again sitting on a 2 goal cushion and with not much time to spare is pure kiss teeth as the fans of the trailing team started exiting the venue like at Caymanas Park. In contrast, pandemonium broke loose in the Roxy Williams stand as colour red fans erupted in celebration. Michael Jureidini reached for his bible and started to read two psalms. Ossie D and Stevie G started cussing the referee. Presie Masters looked up to the skies for rain; Allah was no where to be found and the mantra “press ahead Harbour View ,press ahead” subsided. Juicy Bell rushed over to Daddy and told him to take heart “It’s not over till the fat lady sings”.
Sunday was a day of reminiscence.21 years have passed. It was high five and bear hugs.It was a reunion of many who had played or spectated in the ’85 &86 epics. At half time DV presented Carl Brown with a memorabilia DVD of the two historic episodes. Other survivors present include Peter Prendegast (returned as President of JFRA on Saturday) and Andrew Pryce this time in the capacity as coach of BT.Lest we forget Hugh Bailey was represented by his son Jermaine Bailey who played for BT that night. Others on the BT match card carried similar surnames bearing uncanny progeny such as Morgan, Lewis ,Francis& Brown. There was no time to check the bloodline Peanut Bunny sang the National Anthem-Clyde Jureidini (coach HVFC ’86)winces as a note is broken.
It was 30 minutes remaining and the right annex of Harbour View supporters’ stand was by now almost empty. A further 10 minutes passed and the irate fans were demanding the scalp of the HVFC coachig staff. Suddenly the belligerence subsided as the word Goal!!!! erupted and many rushed back to the gate.Harbour View had scored and trailed 2-1 Another five minutes passed and is pure kiss teeth again as the trying Blackburn kicked wide of the upright.. One fan shouted from under the plum tree outside” unoo ah idiot-cum back outside; Harbour View caan win!!!!”.The word was hardly out of his mouth when then was again shout of Goal!!! Like the man in Wild Gilbert he rushed back into Compound ,lifted DV shoulder high” a fi me national coach this”. Harbour View leveled the score 2-2.A statistical dead-heat There was tears of joy and both sides shook hands.
HV line up:
- Ryan Thompson, Ronny Amaguana, Jermaine Taylor, William Richards, Ricardo Smith,
- Marcelino Blackburn, Loxley Thomas, Lovel Palmer, Donald Stewart, Richard West,
- Luton Shelton, Leighton Murray, Oneil Smith, Gregory Simpson, Nicholas Dodd, Kevin King,
- Leon Strickland, Kemar Peterkin.
- Donovan Hayle (coach); Vin Blaine (manager).
BT line up:
- Kirk Porter, Fabian Watkins, Xavean Virgo, Wavel Williams, Jermaine Bailey, Oneil Thompson,
- Marvin Morgan, Garfield Gillespie, Andre Wheeler, Fitzroy Anglin, Michael Campbell,
- Philmore Crumbie, Peter Keys, Richard Brown, Colin Oldham, Rollin Francis, Dwight Lewis,
- Troy Dawes.
- Andrew Pryce-coach:Francis Tavares-Manager.
KSAFA is number 1
Basil Waite
EPIC BATTLES OF JAMAICAN FOOTBALL !
HARBOUR VIEW versus BOY’S TOWN; THE RIVALRY CONTINUES
Of all the epic battles that have graced the history of Jamaican football, none is more emotionally charged than the rivalry developed between Harbour View football club and Boys Town FC. This Sunday at the Harbour View Mini Stadium, affectionately called The Compound?, the time honoured tradition continues as both teams meet for the first time in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Premier League.
Confidence is high in both camps, and a fierce battle of attrition is expected at the Compound. Harbour View, the reigning Caribbean Club champions, are 11 points in front of their nearest rival in the Wray & Nephew Premier League, and so the race for the title is all over bar the shouting. Boys town is also on a crescendo having just gained promotion to the Premier League after a 12 years absence, and only days ago clinically knocking-off the defending League champions, Portmore United 2-1 at Collie Smith Drive.
Ironically, in the 1994/95 JFF Federation Cup Quarter-finals, the last time the teams met, both were under contrasting circumstances. Boys Town had just finished last in the 1994/95 JFF Premier League, and were demoted to the KSAFA Major League, and Harbour View were the winners of the 1994/95 KSAFA Major League, and were promoted to the 1995/96 JFF Premier League. Harbour View won the game 3-1 on goals from Richard Coke (59′ and 61′), and Owen “Busta” Kirkland, respectively, while Andrew Price scored the consolation for BT.
Of all the encounters between the “Stars from the East”? and “The Best from the West”, none is spoken of more passionately by Boy’s Town and Harbour View fans, players, and administrators than the epic struggle of the 1984/85 KSAFA Major League final at the National Stadium before an emotionally charged jam-packed crowd. The standing room only Stadium was lost in a sea of “Colour Red” and Yellow, and Blue. Many consider that clash to be one of the most exciting local club game played at the “office”.
What made the 1984/85 KSAFA Major League final so memorable for many is the fact that boy’s Town and Harbour View had met in the two previous Major League finals, 1982/83, and 1983/84, and in both games the scores were tied after extra time and decided on penalties. “The Red Brigade” won on both occasions. Also, in the 1983/84 edition Harbour View led 2-0 with fumes of full time remaining, and with the Boy’s Town supporters well on their way down Authur Wint Drive, “Colour Red” miraculously equalized sending the game into extra time and to penalties. Boy’s Town fans that were passing the Little Theatre heard the thunderous roar of their brave soldiers and knew that something had gone happily right and hurried back to “The Office” to witness a remarkable comeback from the brink. Harbour View fans, on the other hand, reportedly left early to prepare for championship celebrations in the East.
Andrew “Bowa” Hines, the sweeper for Harbour View in the 84/85 Final, remembered that even though they were 3-1 down with about 3 minutes of regular time remaining, he was very optimistic that they would win that game, and communicated that energy to Peter Cargill and the other players. Harbour View equalized with three unanswered goals by Noel Brissett, Richard Coke, who scored on his first touch, and Mark Salmon, respectively, giving “The Stars from the East” a 4-3 aggregate win and the title.
Commenting on his memory of that game, Carl Brown said, “that was a most memorable game, but I believe the referee played a little bit too long causing bickering among our players. As a result, the team lost its concentration. We lost to a very good Harbour View team that was going well at the time”.
The Harbour champion team of 1984/85 has proven to be ill fated, as 6 of the players and officials are deceased. They are Peter Cargill, Linval McKenzie, Wainwright Davis, Noel Brissett, David Reid, and Roxy Williams. The Coach of the team, Clyde Juredini is now the General Manager of Harbour View FC, and Manager, Carvel Stewart, is the current Chairman of Harbour View. The referee was Winston “Dirks” Campbell. 1984/85 Major League Final Teams:
Harbour View:
- Linval McKenzie (Captain),
- Donovan”DV” Hayles
- Barrington “Cobra” Gaynor
- Richard “Duck” Green
- Andrew “Bowa” Hines
- Everald “Raldo” Easington
- Howard “MagicHead” Kerr
- Howard “Juicy” Cain
- Peter “Jair” Cargill
- Noel “Poohie” Brissett
- Mark “Rugu Rugu” Salmon
- Wainwright “Waynie” Davis
- David Reid
- Richard Coke
- Micheal “Fateye” Thompson
- Micheal Clarke
- Micheal Lee
- Roger Lyn
- Carvel “Daddy” Stewart(Manager)
- Ronald “Piggy’ Chung
- Glen “SmileOrange” Morrison
- Roxy Williams
- Keith “Scudjoe” Lemoniuous, (Asst. Manager),
- Clyde Jureidini (Coach).
Boys Town:
- Karl “Brutus” Brown (Player/Coach),
- Clive Dixon,
- Trevor “Horsey” Francis,
- Delroy “Zaidie” Lewis,
- Donald “SammyDavis” Davidson,
- Donovan Panton,
- Hugh “Huhu” Bailey,
- Lenworth “Teacher” Hyde,
- Donovan “Joe” Downer,
- Oral Hyre,
- Devon “Sticky” Hardware,
- Barrington “Gull” Edwards,
- Thomas McLean,
- Garfield Morgan,
- Allie McNab,
- Harold Richardson (Manager).
NEXT: EPIC BATTLES OF JAMAICAN FOOTBALL II