Listen to his journey to get Philadelphia Union to the MLS Cup & stories he has for each of the guest.
]]>Matheau Hall The Mentor
Since the beginning of the academic school year, Hall has decided to volunteer his time at elementary schools across Norfolk, for the simple task of being a positive influence in young kids' lives.
Hall spent time at the after-school (and sometimes before-school) programs at Bayview, Crossroads and Richard Bowling Elementary schools one month at a time, coming three times a week over a three-week span.
All of which he did on his own time while unpaid.
“There shouldn’t be a price for that. It shouldn’t be 'Pay me 100 dollars and I'll teach them,'" Halls said.
He hopes kids see him as more than just a soccer coach. He hopes kids see him as more of a mentor and positive influence than anything else.
MLS Champions NYC FC new draft pick Mehdi Youssoufi is the steal of the draft. Check out his journey from Morocco to Brooklhyn to MLS Champs here on Futbolr TV.
]]>Futbolr brand is proud to announce the anticipated collaboration with East Coast local Futbolr creative in this upcoming apparel look book release. Hailing from the 757 Chesapeake- Virginia Beach area, Alexander Brown, who goes by the alias ‘Alexander of X’ is collaborating with Futbolr brand’s latest Futbol X Art collection. Alexander’s artwork commemorates the systemic issues of today’s society drawing on his experiences in his local community and on the futbol field.
Futbolr brand is proud to announce the anticipated collaboration with East Coast local Futbolr creative in this upcoming apparel look book release. Hailing from the 757 Chesapeake- Virginia Beach area, Alexander Brown, who goes by the alias ‘Alexander of X’ is collaborating with Futbolr brand’s latest Futbol X Art collection. Alexander’s artwork commemorates the systemic issues of today’s society drawing on his experiences in his local community and on the futbol field.
Alexander X
The beautiful game that we cherish as futbolrs provides us with valuable lessons; sometimes, tragedies are also a part of this complex, beautiful game that we all share. And these tragedies in itself speak on a much greater narrative in regards to the way our societies and communities interact with one another. This past year we saw the movement of athletes empowering others to speak up and have a meaningful voice in social injustice, in communities, and in mental health. For the football community there is more work to be done, and the loss of Seid Visin only reinforces the amount of work that is needed to truly make this game an all-inclusive family. This week’s newsletter pays tribute to the loss of 20 year old adopted Ethiopian-Italian futbolr Seid Visin who struggled with the demons of mental illness. Taking his own life, the former Milan Primavera academy talent was a rising star in the ranks of Italian football before finally withdrawing from his dreams back in 2016-2017. Nevertheless, the young futbolr was a member of the local 5-a-side team Atletico Vitalica and continued to play the game up until his death. The Milan community and his hometown, Nocera Inferiore, were left visibly shook and distraught to the tragic loss of one of their own. The Milan Primavera academy expressed their condolences on Twitter stating that “There are no right words to say goodbye to a 20-year-old boy." While there was no suicide note left, one letter back in 2019 penned by Visin gives a glimpse of his struggles as a third cultured child living in Italy – someone who experiences and lives in multiple cultures based on one’s ethnic and national background. Visin expresses his concern in this intimate excerpt of his letter shown below at time when the European migration crisis drew massive divisions in Italian society:
“Before this great migratory flow, I remember with a little arrogance that everyone loved me. Wherever I was, wherever I went, wherever I was, everyone turned to me with greatness joy, respect and curiosity. Now, however, this atmosphere of idyllic peace seems so distant; it seems that everything has mystically turned upside down, it seems to my eyes that winter has fallen with extreme impetuosity and vehemence, without warning, during a clear spring day. Now, wherever I go, wherever I am, wherever I am feel on my shoulders, like a boulder, the weight of skeptical, prejudiced glances, disgusted and afraid of people.”
While media speculation suggests that Seid Visin died due to being
a victim of racism and therefore identifying the case as a hate crime, his adoptive father -- Walter Visin – has actively refuted these claims stating on his personal Facebook that “the reason for his tragic gesture remains incomprehensible to us too, that's why we ask for a reservation in such a difficult time.” His father recalled Seid being a loving member of his community where he was constantly surrounded by caring friends and family. This perception of Seid Visin only raised more eyebrows as to how such a promising lovable young man made an extremely overwhelming life-taking decision. While his father has refuted claims of a direct racial incident, the mourning man did make admission to his lost son’s advocacy for combatting discrimination on and off the pitch. Visin’s loss ignited a conversation in Italy with professional players like ex-Juve midfield maestro Claudio Marchisio and Former Speaker of the Italian Chamber Laura Boldrini expressing their condolences to the Visin family while also bringing awareness to the discrimination that is at hand across Italy, across Europe – across the entire world.
US World Cup legends Damarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu and co-owner of Futbolr Clothing Mabricio Wilson sits down with US Soccer pioneer Lincoln Phillips. As head coach at Howard University he led his team to two NCAA Championships and won Coach of the Year honors in 1971 and 1974. His contribution to the development of goalkeeping is a matter of record having represented the USSF senior and Youth teams as the goalkeeping coach in many local and international competitions. Considered by peers as an advocate for the development of goalkeeping in the US, Lincoln has worked alongside several of the top US goalkeeper coaches to development and improve the goalkeeping education environment through the USSF coaching Schools and NSCAA as a Convention Presenter.
Check out link below to purchase his book:
]]>Click to read exclusive interview
]]>This interview was conducted by Dr. Basil Wilson at Essex House in May, 1978. The interview was previously published in the June/July 1978 issue of Everybody’s Magazine.
WILSON: What is the reason why you have not given a concert in North America for a long time?
MARLEY: Well, the reason really based on physical reasons. Well, I am unfit. If you don’t fit, you don’t work. And during the time they set up the tour, my toe got hurt. I really couldn’t work with the toe injured.
Q. After the attempt on your life, you had left Jamaica and did not return until recently. How did it feel to return to Jamaica?
A. It’s nice to return to Jamaica because Jamaica is the greatest place. Jamaica is one of the best places on earth. So it was great to feel that light breeze blowing without any pollution and that nice fragrance of sweet herbs burning in the yard. It was beautiful.
Q. Do you think your return to Jamaica will contribute to the peace in Western Kingston?
A. The way I see peace for a long while black people scatter. It reach so far that them tear down Ethiopia. Seen. But I neither go right nor left. I go straight ahead. I neither can unite P.N.P. nor J.L.P. The two organizations set up to fight against one another. This is why it is called politics. But we don’t business with politics. We the black people have a root. We are not talking about JLP or PNP. We are talking about our real heritage. We are talking about Rasta.
Q. Do you think that your music has been affected the mere fact that you were away from Jamaica for such a long time?
A. You see me, you see this house that me into right now, if I am in Jamaica, I am into a house that stay the same way. You understand what I have to say? When I am in a Jamaica, I sit down in a house and I don’t go out in the street. When I am in America and I sit down, I don’t go out in the street. Nothing not going on but what is going on in my head. I wonder if you understand what I am saying?
Q. But a lot of your lyrics deal with the situation in Jamaica.
A. Let me tell you something now. You see because I come from Jamaica and carry that Jamaican root I don’t deny Jamaica, or be a traitor to Jamaica. I make the world see is Jamaica this music come from but if I was a traitor I would just sing and go on like the music didn’t come from Jamaica.
Q. Yes, but your music is inspired by what is happening in Jamaica.
A. To me Jamaica is a school. Seen. Everything that is happening in Jamaica is happening everywhere else. Look at Ethiopia. The Russians have given the Ethiopians and Somalians guns to fight each other. In Jamaica is the same runnings (situation). Just that, one big whig give the people guns to fight each other.
Q. But can you develop that emotional identification with the people when you are living outside of Jamaica?
A. Well, is the people in Jamaica really make me what I am. Is them say, ‘go Bob’. All when I shame how I sing, the people applaud. Them (Jamaican) people down there is the greatest people in the world. Is them build I and I.
Q. Are you definitely touring the states this year?
A. Yes, we are going to do a tour. Physically I am alright but there is some little bullshit that going on that I don’t like. The business that I am in, I must know everything and if I don’t know everything, I don’t work. See.
Q. Is that the problem with the North American tour?
A. Here what happen now. What happen to them is that they do not want to run this thing like how I want to run it. Them want to run me on a star trip but I am not on any star trip. I want that any time I tour Europe and I look at myself and realize that my structure (health) run down, I must rest. But they are not concerned with my structure. They run and plan a North American tour. You must remember when I was in Europe, you don’t even drink water. You have to purposely drink water and when you finish that tour, they set up another tour. I watch Muhammad Ali and Alan Cole and I see how these athletes take care of their structure. But the people who set up the tour do not work. They just collect money and when night come, you find them in bed with two girls while you ‘bus’ your r…e.. and a work hard all the time. When my toe was injured, they didn’t even know. My toe nail had just come out and when the boy them still set up a North American tour.
Q. Are you saying that last year the North American tour was set up without consulting you?
A. Yes. Because I tell them don’t set up no tour until I tell you. But them don’t want to live by that. What them say is “Bob, it is always good to tour six weeks after your record has been released”. That is fine but suppose my structure don’t run in that type of rhythm. I am not going to let them come f….. me up. Is the same reason why I f….. up my toe. If I was in Jamaica and my toe was hurt, I wouldn’t work.
Q. How did the toe get injured in the first place?
A. I used to buck, buck the toe from long time. And in Paris I was playing soccer and a man gave a r…. tackle in the rain. The foot started paining me and I wonder now why it kept burning for so long. You know when you playing soccer and you get hurt, it pain a little and then stop but this pain kept burning. Boy, I just scored a goal and just hop off the field. When I took off my shoes, the toenail was completely out. But I continued to perform anyhow. And hear this, hear what they had planned to do – they had planned to cut off my toe just so I could make the North American tour. I say the b….. c….. boy them plan to cut off my toe to do the tour. You understand what I say. I am in London and I consult a doctor. The record company phone the doctor and ask him how long will the toe take to heal. The doctor told them six months. Then they queried the doctor and asked the doctor how long it would take if the toe was cut off? The doctor told them that should take about a month. So them would cut off my toe just so I could work. Exodus was a bubble and if I make the tour Exodus would sell over a million. His Majesty said to me in London, “Is what sin you do to agree to cut off your toe?” I just say to them f…. off and go away. So I just decide and take a rest. And when you make a check, man collect money from all about and I don’t know. Is in a Jamaica I am and a Jamaican tell me “Bob, I know this business and you and I can do a little thing”. And I say, well let’s go. And him is the same one who turn round and going on with some little things.
Q. Is Don Taylor still your personal manager?
A. Don Taylor is still a bretheren and I personally don’t like certain little things but we still work together.
Q. What is your new album Kaya about?
A. You have to play it and get your own inspiration. For every song have a different meaning to a man. Sometimes I sing a song and when people explain it to me I am astonished by their interpretation.
Q. If you compare Exodus & Kaya to your earlier L.P’s, you don’t have as much protest lyrics.
A. How long must I protest for the same thing? I sing, ‘Get up,Stand Up” and up to now the people still don’t get up. So must I still sing ‘Get Up, Stand Up’? When I say, ‘Get up, Stand up’ I mean we must get up and stand up. I am not going to sing the same song again. The thing is I do not want to be a prisoner. I don’t want to hustle off suffering. I don’t want to see people suffer and sing as if I am glad to see people suffer and to make money off of that. I want people to live big and have enough. I am not glad to see people suffer to sing about it all the time. It means if nobody is suffering, you can’t sing a good tune.
Q. This album seems to indicate that your music is moving in a new direction.
A. You see you have to try to please you own people and you have to try to please people here (Americans) and you have to compete with the music here.
Q. How would you reply to the criticism that your music is now too diluted?
A. They can’t judge me.
Q. How do you see the peace movement in Jamaica?
A. I have to support it. We know unity is the best thing that ever happen in Jamaica. I am a man who has been shot at. Two top ranking Tony Welch and Jack Massop came to London and I see to it that them live like bretheren. We spent a good time together. Now we are defending black people rather than killing each other.
Q. Do you think the coming together will lead to greater black consciousness?
A. The political leaders never told them to make peace. Is the spirit come and tell them to make peace. That spirit is the spirit of God.
Q. Do you think this black consciousness will eventually become political?
A. Let me tell you something once and for all. You see me, if my freedom depend on politics, then I wouldn’t tell you I would not go into politics. But I do not deal with politics. The Prince (son of Haile Selassie) tell me that he is higher than politics.
Q. Are you saying that the emphasis should be on religion?
A. It must come through religion. Is not the people make the war, is other send them to fight it. Why when Ethiopia was starving, America and Russia never sent food but now they give Ethiopia billions of dollars worth of sophisticated weapons. In Jamaica, when the youth go down into the ghetto and kill off each other, who feel it? The same people in the ghetto. Why didn’t the politicians say they wanted peace?
Q. There was a rumour that started after the attempt on your life that you were a supporter of the ruling party (PNP).
A. Propaganda is a wicked thing. One day everybody must know the truth. I beat down politics. I am a Rasta man. I will chat with Michael Manley or Eddie Seaga. People must move free and talk to whom they want. When white people have political elections all they will throw is a salad. Down in Jamaica, we fire gun, I can talk for gun fire off of me and is only Rastafari save me. So I have proof.
Q. What is the reason why there was an attempt on your life?
A. I am a man who grow up in Darling Street, Trench Town. When I left Ghost Town I went to live in Bull Bay and then I left Bull Bay to go and live at Hope Road. You see when Michael Manley and Eddie Seaga leave downtown they call each other and say, “What a nice one you throw down on me today. I have to buy you a drink for that”. Here downtown any differences a man want to fire his gun. Well, the peace in Western Kingston reveal that the youth sight that now and understand the runnings better.
Q. Do you wish to speak of the attempt on your life?
A. When they came for me, they came for blood. I am in a corner and right away the gunshots came blazing through the door. In the meantime another assassin coming around the other side. The gunshots that were meant for me caught Don Taylor. Is four gun shot penetrate Don Taylor and all of those were made for me. Is a whole heap of gunshot was a fire that night.
Q. Did Don Taylor jump in front of you?
A. Not really. When Don Taylor hear the gunshot he was startled. They fire in the corner where I was and when I do so and move, I hear gunshot like dirt against the wall and when I move again I hear more gunshot pass me.
Q. So unquestionably, they came to kill you?
A. You better believe it. They came to kill me.
Before Corona-19 shutdown we had the opportunity to work with Crown Media Group and collab on this dope video with Trinidad & Tobago International Liana Hinds. A Futbolr can do it all and Liana is an example of a talent who lives her life on & off the field with Love & Respect. Futbolr Nation!
]]>Mabricio Wilson of Futbolr Clothing sat down with Tayvon Gray and his twin brother Kayvon. Tayvon, a homegrown of NYC FC, just signed his first professional contract at age 17. Fresh off of the U17 World Cup in Brazil, we discuss his journey and what this day means to him and his family.
Brought to you by Futbolr Clothing https://www.futbolr.com/
Subscribe to our channel for Soccer Lifestyle Content:
]]>Futbolr Radio host Mabricio Wilson sits down with USA and MLS Futbolr Edson Buddle. Great conversation on Edson’s journey to becoming a Futbolr, falling in love with the game and first time meeting Damarcus Beasley, Kyle Martino & Landon Donovan. After 16 years as a pro and scoring 120 goals (no penalties) we discuss in this clip also mental illness, yoga and eating habits. Let me know in the comments and subscribe for more exclusives.
Find Futbolr Radio on iTunes, Spotify, & Soundcloud
https://www.Facebook.com/Futbolrpage
]]>Find Futbolr Radio on iTunes, Shopify, & Soundcloud
www.futbolr.com
]]>Futbolr Radio host Mabricio Wilson sits down with USA and Schalke FC Futbolr Weston Mckennie. Great conversation on Weston’s journey to the Bundesliga, falling in love with the game and first time meeting Christian Pulisc. Is he the future Captain America? Let me know in the comments and subscribe for part 2.
Find Futbolr Radio on iTunes, Shopify, & Soundcloud
www.futbolr.com
Facebook.com/Futbolrpage
Twitter.com/Futbolr
Instagram.com/Futbolr_Clothing
]]>The United States men’s national soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. They had qualified for seven consecutive World Cups before failing to qualify in 2018. Their new coach, Gregg Berhalter, knows that the U.S men’s national soccer team must qualify for the World Cup in Qatar for 2022.
]]>
The United States Women’s Soccer World Cup Team went to France in the summer of 2019 and once again demonstrated their hegemony in women’s soccer. They returned from France triumphantly and were given a ticker tape parade in New York City. They had captured the hearts of America.
The United States men’s national soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. They had qualified for seven consecutive World Cups before failing to qualify in 2018. Their new coach, Gregg Berhalter, knows that the U.S men’s national soccer team must qualify for the World Cup in Qatar for 2022.
The United States Football Federation has made gallant efforts to make the United States a competitive force in international football. There are academies established throughout the country where talents are identified at a young age and those talents are honed under professional guidance.
From the 1960s, the United States has struggled to establish and sustain a men’s professional league. Major League Soccer (MLS) is now quite established and in some franchises attracts loyal enthusiastic fans. Although the MLS has made great progress, it still has a long way to go to be considered in the same league as the top European leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy and the Bundesliga in Germany.
World Soccer has become an international sport. Like the world economy, the top leagues and clubs reflect the internationalization of the sport. National teams in order to be competitive must have their best players competing in the top leagues of the world. National teams like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, Ghana, etcetera, have their top players competing in the best leagues and playing for the premier clubs.
American soccer went through a drought from 1950 to 1990 when the United States failed to qualify for a World Cup spot. The drought ended in 1990. Although not regarded yet as one of the top teams in the World, the presence of a competitive American World Cup team has become an integral part of the soccer landscape competing for the coveted World Cup trophy.
The United States soccer has reached a point of take-off and the burgeoning talent is not staying at home playing in the MLS, but American players are being recruited by some of the dominant European clubs. What is ironical is that there has emerged the peculiar German connection. An aggregation of American talent is now displaying their soccer prowess in the Bundesliga in Germany. National coach Berhalter has already identified these players and will build his 2022 World Cup team around players applying their profession in Europe and many of these players will feature in the game against Mexico on Friday, September 6, 2019.
America’s outcome in the 2022 qualifiers in CONCACAF will pivot around players like Christian Pulisic, formerly of Borussia Dortmund in Germany and now with Chelsea in the Premier League and Weston McKennie who now plays for Schalke in the Bundesliga.
Some of the yesteryear established players like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey have retired from the game and for an interim their departure left a void that is now being filled by the Tyler Adams, the Pulisics and the McKennies, representing a new generation of talent capable of competing on the world stage.
As Donovan demonstrated during his career playing for the United States, impact players make a difference particularly in big tournaments. Weston McKennie, the midfielder, has the talent to be an impact player for the United States men’s team.
McKennie is an incredible versatile player who for his first professional season with Schalke played in many different positions but he is at his best when playing in midfield. What is ironic is that McKennie lived with his parents in Germany in his embryonic years and started playing the game on German soil. When he returned to the United States, he spent most of those developmental years at F.C. Dallas. He was a central figure on youth national teams and his work rate and versatility caught the eye of football scouts at Schalke. He has been quite impressive as a Schalke player and has been rewarded this summer with a new five year contract.
Weston McKennie is living his American dream playing for Schalke in Germany and contributing to a United States Men’s National team comprised of players performing in the big leagues in Europe.
The United States cannot just aspire to qualify for 2022 but need to be successful in the round robin and be a force in the knockout stage. With players like McKennie reaching their zenith in the third decade of the twenty-first century, the United States Men’s National team might not be able to emulate the Women’s National Team but they will ensure that the world recognizes America’s national team as an international competitive force. It is not farfetched for the new Berhalter squad to dream of winning the coveted World Cup that will take place in in the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly in 2026.
]]>
The 12th annual Steve Nash Showdown in Chinatown at Sara. D. Roosevelt Park in New York City. Kicking off in front of thousands of roaring fans, Showdown featured professional soccer players and NBA stars in a soccer exhibition to benefit the Steve Nash Foundation’s programs for underserved children. The twelve edition of NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash’s popular charity soccer match attended by Futbolr’s Charlie Davies (USA), Stu Holden (Scotland), Giuseppe Rossi (Italy), Steve Nash, Jack Harrison (Leeds United), Gio Reyna (Dortmund), Christian Fuchs (Leicester City), Anthony Borgess (Parkland), Mehdi Ballouchy (NYC FC) and Jeff Mateo (Seton Hall) NBA players Luol Deng, TJ McConnell, Iman Shumpert, Joel Embid, Tobias Harris, Ron “ Metta World Peace” Artest, Emmanuel Mudiay, Larry Nance Jr & RJ Barrett were also in attendance for a great cause.
]]>https://www.youtube.com/user/FutbolrTV
-Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/futbolr
-Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futbolr_clothing/
-Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futbolrpage
]]>Everything Haji has learned about life has been with a ball at his feet. From the moment he and his family left Kenya as refugees during the Somalian Civil War, to when they arrived in America, futbol has given him the opportunity to achieve his own american dream. It has come with a price, as there have been numerous obstacles between him and the beautiful game. Whether it was learning a new language by watching Clifford the Big Red Dog, to getting rides to tournaments because his father was not able to drive on the highway, as well as his academic struggles, Haji never gave up. He is a shining example of how persistence, ambition, and love for the game can overcome adversity. Now, at the age of 19, Haji has been selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. His professional soccer career will begin with the San Jose Earthquakes. Haji is the an authentic Futbolr ready to pursue his dream playing the beautiful game.
www.futbolr.com
Directed & Produced by: Mabricio Wilson Edited: Trevor Banks
]]>Jamaica has produced great athletes who have had a profound impact on the world of sports. In recent years in track and field, Usain Bolt, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake are athletes larger than life. In yesteryear in the world of track there was Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint, George Rhoden, Lennox Miller, Donald Quarrie and Merlene Ottey. In the world of cricket Jamaica produced George Headley, Collie Smith, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh and Chris Gayle.
]]>Jamaica has produced great athletes who have had a profound impact on the world of sports. In recent years in track and field, Usain Bolt, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake are athletes larger than life. In yesteryear in the world of track there was Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint, George Rhoden, Lennox Miller, Donald Quarrie and Merlene Ottey. In the world of cricket Jamaica produced George Headley, Collie Smith, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh and Chris Gayle.
In the world of soccer, it has been Lindy Delapenha, Sydney Bartlett, Alan Cole, Art Welsh, Henry Largie and Delroy Scott. In the compartment of coaching the country has not produced any indigenous soccer coach that is larger than life with the exception of Winston Chung-Fah.
The Jamaican soccer world made great leaps forward under the guidance of the Brazilian coach, Jorge Penna, in the 1960s. Members of that team in large part were exported to the United States and played in America’s first professional soccer league in the middle of the 1960s.
From his initial foray into local soccer, Winston Chung-Fah envisioned a club outside of the conventional box. A former Y.M.C.A. goal-keeper, Chung founded Doncaster Rovers and then the formidable Santos Football Club. Like Boys Town and Cavaliers, Santos was outside the traditional mainstream of Jamaican football.
When “Chungie” started Santos, there was an abundance of talent, a dearth of funds and non-existent facilities. Santos, despite a nomadic existence, emerged as the top soccer club in the Kingston and St. Andrew Division 1 or Premier League.
Much of the talent was drawn from Rae Town, Dunkirk, Southside, Franklin Town, Bridgeview and Allman Town. To make Santos work and achieve greatness, it required a coach with an infinite amount of energy and bountiful imagination. In the early days, Santos Football Club was comprised of fantastic talent but to make it work, it needed a personality like “Chungie”.
“Chungie” effectively molded a disparate crew into a disciplined team that played outstanding football. “Chungie” was more than an astute student of the game. He was a leader and understood the critical psychological aspects of competitive sport and that is why when a team coached by “Nava” Chung went into the dressing room, when they returned to the pitch, they invariably raised their game to another level.
Chung was not just interested in the lads as footballers. He was interested in their development as men, as human beings. That is why throughout his coaching career whether in Jamaica, the United States or the Cayman Islands, he stressed education. In the 1960s, he started the trek of sending “sufferer” youths domiciled in the inner city to rural havens like Vere Technical initially and Clarendon College.
Vere Technical under the tutelage of Derick Tomkinson and subsequently Chung produced some of the great DaCosta Cup teams of all time. After Tomkinson succumbed to an illness, Chung was invited by Principal Ben Francis to continue the tradition of greatness.
Vere Technical honed the skills of footballers who not only brought visibility to the school but went on to represent their country and to make lasting contributions to Jamaican football at home and abroad. Even though they played for Vere in different years, the era 1965-1969, players of the caliber of Alan Cole, Winston Earle, Orville Edwards, Lloyd Walker, Les Brown, Corcel Blair, Miguel Blair, Las Shaw, E.B. Barrett, “Trini” Douglas, et al, will always be remembered as golden years. They were instrumental in bringing soccer greatness to a parish known for the export of sugarcane. Chung coached the victorious 1969 DaCosta Cup champions that included Corcel Blair, Bob Campbell, Las Shaw, Lloyd Walker, etc.
Chungie replicated his legendary career as a coach when in 1977 he moved to Clarendon College and won the DaCosta Cup/Oliver Shield. Some pundits argue that the 1977 Clarendon College team has to be recognized as one of the great schoolboy teams of all times. That Chung-Fah coached team included Lenny Hyde, “Den Den”Hutchinson, Eric Curry, Michael Davies, O’neil Russell, Desmond Smith, Donovan Halsall, Glen Nembhard, Donovan Wray, Dave Gerrard and Roy Duncan.
After a sojourn abroad, Winston Chung-Fah returned to Jamaica and served as the Technical Director from 1991 -1993. It was a brief stint as the legendary soccer coach and the Jamaica Football Federation were not on the same page. “Chungie’s” vision was to build from the younger age group and set the foundation to the extent that Jamaica could compete at the international level in the not too distant future. The Jamaica Football Federation sought instant success and their decision was very much guided by the revenues generated by the senior team. Those differences which were not necessarily irreconcilable but unfortunately led to a parting of ways. “Chungie” left shortly thereafter to make his mark in the world of Cayman soccer.
Often athletes do not represent the best role models. Great sportsmen can easily become solipsistic and preoccupied with themselves. For his entire existence, Winston Chung-Fah’s life has been characterized by a sense of selflessness. It was never about “Chungie”, it was always about the team, the higher cause, the achievement of excellence. This selflessness is what guided his life sometimes putting the pressing needs of his family on the backburner.
In the twilight of his career, the many people who have been inspired by Chung-Fah, have come together to show their appreciation. It is befitting that the Jamaican government has recognized his contributions to football and to development of inner city youths in Jamaica. It is also gratifying to see educational institutions like Vere Technical and Clarendon College recognizing his worth.
I will close on a personal note. In the 1970s when Winston Chung-Fah was the coach of the Jamaican under 19 World Cup Team that was preparing to travel to Puerto Rico for the qualifying round, I was visiting Jamaica. Chung-Fah was also coaching Clarendon College and we both left the National Stadium to pick up his remuneration from Clarendon College. When we returned to the National Stadium the practice was coming to a close and there was a long line of players telling “Chungie” about their state of penuriousness. The selfless “Nava” Chung heard the tales of woe and distributed the funds that he had just collected from Clarendon College. When he left the stadium, Chung-Fah had a mere twenty dollars left in his pocket.
That act of generosity was not a rarity but repeated anywhere poor people gathered and he was in a position to ease some form of misery. That is how he has lived his life. His achievement as a soccer coach places him among the Hall of Fame of Jamaican footballers and coaches. But what has made him truly special is not just the legendary coaching career, but his generosity of spirit, a sense of humanity, and a devotion to social justice.
]]>Futbolr Clothing presents Futbolr Nation Mixtape by DJ Safari64 w/ sounds from Tarrus Riley, Playboi Carti, Mura Masa, Kendrick Lamar, Achitect and many more www.futbolr.com
https://www.mixcloud.com/FutbolrDJ/futbolr-nation-mixtape-by-dj-safari/
]]>Mabricio Wilson of Futbolr Clothing sat down w/ Carlo Ritaccio, a defender for BW Gottschee and the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team, who recently committed to Akron for the class of 2018.. The New York product is the No. 38 ranked player in the 2018 Boys IMG Academy top 150. A member of the U.S. U17 Residency program, Ritaccio earned a call-up to the roster in Spring 17. Take a look at the Italian heritage, long island raised center back rise to be one of the nations best defenders. Will Carlo follow the long line of Akron Futbolr’s to turn pro?
Brought to you by Futbolr Clothing
https://www.futbolr.com/
Subscribe to our channel for Soccer Lifestyle Content: https://www.youtube.com/user/FutbolrTV
-Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/futbolr
-Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futbolr_clo…
-Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futbolrpage
]]>Mabricio Wilson of Futbolr Clothing sat down w/ Sanoussi Sangary, one of the top Futbolr’s coming out of NYC. Mabricio met Sanoussi at one of his weekly workouts at Plus One Training in Tribeca. There he works on his strength and conditioning preparing for first season as a Division 1 Futbolr. We took the 40 min journey to South Bronx to get to know about the 2 time NYC PSAL Champion w/ MLK HS and a 2 time NPL Champion with Manhattan Soccer Club - Villa. Take a look at the Liberian born South Bronx raised Futbolr’s journey to earning a full scholarship to St. Johns University. Can Sanoussi bring a Championship to a University who has not won the NCAA championship since 1996?
]]>Mabricio Wilson of Futbolr Clothing sat down w/ Freshman of the Year Joao Moutinho from Akron University and Francis Atuahene Ghanaian winger from Univ of Michigan at MLS Combine. Both have earned 2018 Generation Adidas. Watch as they discuss there journey to USA and path to becoming Pro.
]]>]]>
Life of Futbolr with Damarcus Beasley talks US Soccer U17 Residency Program from Futbolr Clothing on Vimeo.
]]>Life of Futbolr with Damarcus Beasley talks US Soccer U17 Residency Program from Futbolr Clothing on Vimeo.
]]>