Sherlock - file

"For when the great scorer comes to write your name

He will record not how many runs you've made

but how you played the game."

Ten years have now passed since the death of Father Hugh Sherlock, founder of Boys' Town in 1940. Father to hundreds of youth in his lifetime, was always a paragon of virtue as he sought to instil sound values and attitudes. A Methodist minister and man of many letters, including an honorary doctorate, he walked with kings but didn't lose the common touch.

A co-author of the Jamaica National Anthem, Father Sherlock was active in the national movement for independence. He was the first Third World representative of the World Methodist Council to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland. His legacy at Boys' Town is formidable as hundreds of graduates continue to make contributions in various fields of endeavour.

Instilled discipline

'Father' loved cricket and sports in general and it is well known that he used sports at Boys' Town as the medium to instil discipline and motivate the boys into citizens. Collie Smith, who died in 1959, was a proud product of the institution and remains to this day an outstanding role model.

Father loved cricket. In later years, he embraced football as it speedily overtook the interest of the boys and community. A footballer was added to the club's crest, during the '80s, as only a cricketer, a book and the cross were present. He was around during the triumphant period of the soccer team. Apart from Boys' Town, which most people identify with Father Sherlock, there is no true honour with his name that befits the man and his contribution.

There is Collie Smith Drive, where Boys' Town is situated, so the authorities could probably name the nearby West Road or another educational body as the Hugh Sherlock All-Age, which was across from Boys' Town All-Age. Probably, Trench Town Comprehensive could be named after the great man.