Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
St. Catherine Football Association president, Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland (right) shares a moment with his vice-president and heir apparent Peter Reid after the announcement of his retirement from office at the F.A.'s awards ceremony at the Arian's Restaurant in Spanish Town on Thursday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
A standing ovation awaited Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland after he announced his retirement from the presidency of the St. Catherine Football Association at their awards ceremony on Thursday.
Bathed in the parish's native colours of blue and yellow, an elegant dining room at the Arian's Restaurant burst at its seems with football dignitaries and players, all there to see Sutherland for the last time as president.
While the convening of bodies was really about awarding the achievements of teams and individuals for the football season just concluded, and that the St. Catherine F.A. did do, the main target of interest was Sutherland's last hurrah.
In a heartfelt speech about the achievements of the St. Catherine F.A., Sutherland, a man known for his witty repertoire, sometimes failed in his bid to get the crowd laughing, as most spent the duration of his speech hoping that he would change his mind.
President of the Manchester Football Association and chairman of the South Central Confederation, Dale Spencer, voiced the concerns of the audience for the first time in the night when he brought greetings to the meeting from Mandeville.
"There was a tinge of sadness when I heard last week. It wouldn't be out of reach to say that through his 40-odd years of service he has built football to what it is today. We are all grateful for that and I am tempted as chairman of the confederation to ask him to stay one more term," said Spencer.
The accolades from football's dignitaries, which included Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson, Kingston and St. Andrew Football Associa-tion president Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, his vice-president Carlton 'Spanner' Dennis and went as high up as FIFA vice-president Austin 'Jack' Warner, who sent a letter offering up his congratulations to Sutherland for his years of service and devotion to the sport.
