Former national footballer upset at attacks on GFF president

Aug 08, 2008 Sports

Former national football and coach, Lennox Arthur, is disturbed at the current attacks being meted out to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Colin Klass.

Arthur, who played with the national team from 1967 to 73, also coached from 1971 to 87. He graced the field with some of the best footballers this country has produced, among them Bobby Fernandes, Winston Callender, Michael Hamden, Ken Gibbs, Geronimo Braithwaite, Lloyd King, Pat Britton, Clyde Brown and Michael Pierre.

Know to be outspoken, a visibly angry Arthur lashed out at what he calls a concerted effort by ‘clandestine forces’ out to seize power by any means necessary.
He said, “…this is not about Klass, this is about people wanting power.”

Referring to comments made in the media by Georgetown Football Association (GFA) official Marlon Cole, Arthur opined, “Someone who never kick a football in his life, just come and asking a president of 20 years to resign. Who is he to ask Klass to resign.”

Arthur informed that when George Rutherford vacated the position of GFF General Secretary, Cole was one of the first persons to apply for the job, which he noted was an indication of his ambitions.

The former player expressed disappointment at the utterances of GFA president Troy Mendonca. He noted that as a former player he can relate to Mendonca.

Arthur disclosed that in his mind based on Mendonca’s ability and the fact he would have the heart of a player, he sees him as a future GFF president.

He called on the GFA boss not to become caught up with ‘silly ramblings’, but if Klass is to be removed then there is the proper way to go about it, through the General Council, not ‘character assassination’ in the media.

Arthur went on, “Cole seems to be linked with forces with their own hidden agendas and they ought to be careful.”

One of the youngest coaches in his day at age 20, Arthur said he is supportive of Klass. He said this is not the time to remove Klass because Guyana’s football is now beginning to pick up regionally and internationally. He firmly stated that now money is in football, a lot of people would want to be president.

He asked, “Where were they when Klass was there with no money (FIFA grant) to spend? No one complained then.”

He noted that the current GFF boss should be allowed and propelled to work on more development programmes for the youths here.

Disclosing that peace and togetherness is needed in football, with all concerned working to ensure the players benefit.

Arthur said his only real disappointment with the GFF and Klass is that they don’t have their own ground as yet.

Despite this, he is of the opinion that Klass has done a lot and he cannot understand the current attacks, pointing out, “…many are worse than Klass and will not serve Guyana’s football well.”

Citing a recent example, he stated, “Conquerors won in Linden but lost by default because an official fielded two players who did not have the necessary transfers.

This shows when officials don’t really care and want to power struggle, the players suffer. Those guys played their hearts out and won only to lose because of someone else silly mistake.

“They should not suffer for people’s morbid mistakes,” the former Santos player and Pele FC coach said.