LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Boys' Town's Andre Wheeler (left) lifts his foot high to play the ball in a challenge with Rivoli United's Omar Parker (centre), while George Vernal of Boys' Town looks on during the Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town, which was playing its first NPL home match at Collie Smith Drive for over a decade, won 1-0 courtesy of an 88th minute goal by Vernal. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
GEORGE VERNAL'S 88th minute goal against Rivoli United climaxed Boys' Town homecoming celebrations at Collie Smith Drive in Trench Town yesterday. For a decade the players, staff and residents of neighbouring communities have waited with the proverbial bated breath for Boys' Town to make their return to the National Premier League (NPL).
In September the club did just that but its supporters were only partially satisfied as the club had to play their home games away as their own park was not ready.
Yesterday as the Red Brigade left the locker room and entered the playing area, the emotion of the moment impregnated the air.
"This is an unbelievable experience," said Boys' Town stalwart Carl Brown. "It is a day we all looked forward to and one we really wanted to see happen. It wasn't about winning the game. It was about a community being reunited again."
Children were feted from midday with treats such as a bounce-a-bout and a merry-go-round. Women were seen expressively conversing as if they had not done so in years and the men were fixed to the action on the field with their favourite drink in hand. It was a celebration of sports, life and a community rejuvenated.
"In the last eight days it has been unbelievable to see the type of work people did to get this place prepared for today," Brown continued. "It was the community at work and fulfilling a dream for me
of uniting this community. We have about five factions in this community but they have something in common: Boys' Town and football."
A number of past Boys' Town members and NPL coaches shared in the festivities yesterday. Pat Anderson, former Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association president, kept goal for Boys' Town in the 1950s. Yesterday he looked on in admiration on the well-manicured lawn and floodlights which complement the complex.
DUST BOWL
"Back in my days we played on a dust bowl," he recalled. "I remember once I dived to save a penalty and I kicked up so much dust I got the nickname 'Dust' which has stuck with me even today."
He added: "It feels real good to see how far we have reached. We have grass and lights. And it's good to see all the children running around and playing. It was just like that back then."
Boys' Town was founded in 1940 by Father Hugh Sherlock. Situated in Trench Town and on the border of West Kingston and South St. Andrew, the club served as a refuge from poverty and political ills. Boys' Town Old Boys, who tell the story best, say Father Sherlock was keen on saving the youths from the effects of the harsh reality they lived.
"The most important thing is to develop these children you see running around," said Boys' Town president Junior Lincoln as a bare-footed boy whizzed past his knee. "We want to carry on what Father Sherlock started and keep these children's hope alive."
Midfielder Fabian Watkins is one of those youths who was touched by the Boys' Town credo. He grew up in the area but plied his trade for other clubs before returning home this season.
"I always said that whenever Boys' Town made it back to the premier league I wanted to play for them," said the veteran who last season played with Constant Spring. Being from the community, Watkins said he knew the importance of yesterday's game.
"This win is for the people. They just want some football back in the community," he stated. "And it is not just about football, as you can see the match is done and people are still here," he said as he pointed to the stands where people had gathered and were moving to the music.
Yesterday's game was also significant as it reunited old friends. Harbour View's Clyde Jureidini and Donovan Hayles reflected on the great rivalries of the 1970s and 80s with Boys' Town and Santos' Winston Chung-Fah shared jokes with colleagues.
As The Gleaner left Collie Smith Drive, the sound system operator vocally shared the sentiments of what clearly was the general consensus.
"A 10 years Boys' Town fi de ya so."
