Delapenha

Ink was still wet on the Leadership column when Little D called. "Archbishop," he began with my UWI nickname, "is foolishness you writing! You know I was the best domino player!"

"Yes, you were always a legend in your own mind. But you have forgotten losing the title to Autry and me!!"

"That was bogus. Autry called it the World Championships but I didn't even have my regular partner. But, more important, you write about Leadership but give only yourself as the example? Talk about self-importance."

"And you suggest?"

"Anybody but you."

"But who?"

"Try indisputable heroes whose careers have ended. I'm a footballer, so my choice would be Lindy Delapenha."

I conceded immediately. I have rarely seen Jamaica as united as it was in 1998 when the Reggae Boyz qualified for France. A superficial analysis of that campaign would disclose Jamaica's obligation to our players from the British leagues. A deeper analysis reveals that the 1998 success would have been impossible had not one Lloyd Lindbergh 'Lindy' Delapenha kicked down the door to those leagues in 1945 for Deon Burton and company's easy access decades later.

Congenitally mischievous

Lindy Delapenha, born May 25, 1927, on the corner of North and Church streets, Kingston, was congenitally mischievous and averse to academics. He was eventually sent to boarding school by a mother desperately seeking discipline. There, still no scholar, he became the best all-round sportsman ever to attend Munro. He represented the school in football, cricket, track (participating in 16 events at one Boys Champs), tennis, hockey, boxing and gymnastics.

Still, his mother despaired that Lindy would amount to nothing. Eventually, Englishman Ken Dunlevy, his sportsmaster at Munro, promised to try to get him into the English leagues. Ken felt that the British army's Physical Training Corps would be a good stepping stone, so off went Lindy to join the army. But, despite his PTC request, he was assigned to the Royal Fusiliers and stationed in Egypt. Undaunted, he persevered playing for the Army until an English scout spotted him and he joined Portsmouth in April 1948, becoming the first Jamaican to play professional football in England. Although several publications claim that he was the first non-white player to appear in the English First Division, he was actually predated by others, including Arthur Wharton, who played a First Division match for Sheffield United in 1894-95. But he was the first Jamaican through that door and he oiled it properly for future users.

Unparalleled leadership

Alone in a hostile land, Lindy exhibited unparalleled leadership by sterling example:

Portsmouth (1948), he won a league championship medal.

Middlesbrough (1950 transfer fee £12,000) - Boro's leading scorer (1951-52, 1953-54 and 1955-56).

93 league/FA Cup goals in 270 appearances [including unbroken records for a winger of 22 goals (1952) and 25 goals (1954) in a single season].

Kept out of the England side only by the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews who, like Lindy, was a winger.

AVOID INJURY

At his peak, the breathtaking transfer sum of £26,000 was offered for him by Manchester City. He refused, preferring not to dislocate his wife-to-be who lived in Middlesborough. Although Manchester City won the FA Cup the next year, Lindy came out best in that exchange as Joan, a brilliant and committed educator, had an indelible effect not only on Lindy the husband (upon whom she doted for over 50 years) but on Lindy the broadcaster, helping him to his unequalled on-air command of the language.

Lindy played five more years in England and won the Southern League Cup with Burton Albion scoring the winning goal in the final. Back in Jamaica and nearing 40, he took Boys' Town from Division III to Division I and ended his playing career at Real Mona where I saw him, in his 40s, kick a ball so hard that the 'keeper stepped aside to avoid injury.

This leader has set the highest standards against the most adverse odds for over 60 years and the most modest tone by asking nothing in return. Do we care? He has received National Honours, yes, but has he been honoured? Will leaders like Lindy just wither away, dependent on family or well-wishers? Will our governments persist in seeking partisan favour by prematurely honouring the fleeting stars of today? When will they care for those founding fathers and mothers upon whose broad backs today's temporary heroes have been carried to glory?

How many more will have to suffer? How many more will have to die?

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send your comments to columns@gleanerjm.com

Robinson