Did you know?

Nov 16, 2014 Sports 0

This week Statistician Charwayne asks, ‘Did you know that British Guiana Footballers had to travel by boat to Trinidad then fly to Barbados in 1963?’
Did you know that because of a countrywide strike that shut down the Airport in 1963, British Guiana Football Team had to travel by M.V Sunshine to Trinidad where they took a flight to Barbados for an International Three Test Series in 1963?
Due to the situation in the colony at that time; two members of the original squad, who were serving members of the Police Force – Ingram Layne and Lionel Gill, had to withdraw. They were replaced by Thomas United – George (Amigo) Dyal and Sandbach Parker’s – Ovid Henry. The 1963 squad which was led by Victoria’s Maurice Moore and lost the series to Barbados three – Nil.
The hosts won the opening clash by two goals to one, playing at the Kensington Oval in front of (5000) fans. Barbados scored in the second minute; the goal scorer was Hartcourt Hinds. The hosts scored again in the fifth minute, this time the hit man was Steve Marshall. British Guiana pulled one back ten minutes from full time; the British Guiana marksman was Edmond (Screw) Richmond.
In the deciding game of the series, the hosts behind a double from Victor (Gas) Clarke, humbled the visitors three – Nil. The other Bajan goal scorer was Mark Norville.
In the final game, backed by another double from Victor (Gas) Clarke, the hosts drubbed British Guiana two – Nil. The British Guiana Football team returned to Georgetown via M.V Ripon, the journey lasted 54 hours.
The British Guiana Team that left by sea and returned by sea was:
Maurice Moore (deceased) – Captain Victoria
Monty Hope (deceased) – Sandbach Parker
George Niles (deceased) – Thomas United
Patsy Pieters (deceased) – St. Barnabas
Winston Dehaart (deceased) – Thomas United
Birdette Marshall – Northern Rangers
George Greene – Sandbach Parker
Edmond Richmond (deceased) – McKenzie
Patrick Britton – Thomas United
George Dyal – Thomas United
Gordon Harry – Thomas United
Ovid Henry – Sandbach Parker
Carl Peroune – St. Barnabas
Alvin Braithwaite – Sandbach Parker
Claude McGowan – Sandbach Parker
C. Parker