Price vows to keep Bell/Ziadie at St George’s

St George’s College Manning Cup coach and former triple crown winner at the school, Andrew Price, has declared that the annual Bell/Ziadie football memorial, of which the 41st staging was launched yesterday at the Police Officers’ Club, will always be played at the North Street institution, as long as he is alive.

Event organiser, Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell, of Masters and Celebrities, highlighted the financial difficulties he has had in securing the venue over the years and, this year, the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) has stepped in to cover the cost of booking the event, but Campbell is still uncertain they can maintain hosting it at the school of the two former stalwarts, who passed away in 1986 while attending the World Cup in Mexico.

“So far, he (Alan Beckford - SDF general manager) is the only person who can say he has given us a donation towards the cost (of hosting the event). Two years ago, Lorna (Bell - Jackie’s widow) and myself used a credit card to pay for the use of the field,” he revealed.

He noted that, in the past, because of the cost, the event had to be moved to Sabina Park or Waterhouse.

However, Price, a St George’s stalwart, assured that the venue will always be available for this annual staging.

“The Bell /Ziadie will always be kept at St George’s College,” he stated. “It will always be kept at St George’s College because these are two St George’s old boys. There is nowhere else for it to be kept and, as long as I have breath in my body, it will be kept there. So I want all to come out on Heroes Day at St George’s College to honour these two legends.”

He added that the work Campbell has been doing over the years, honouring unsung heroes, deserves to be recognised on a national level.

“Campbell has continued, for the last 41 years, to ensure that their legacy is properly remembered. Several individuals have been honoured and some have not been honoured by the JFF, the country, government or sporting associations but Campbell and his Masters and Celebrities have honoured these individuals and what he is doing deserves national recognition.

“I say this openly so the powers that be can hear. What you (Campbell) are doing for basic schools is significant and should be heralded, “ he commented.

The event will be held on Heroes Day, Monday, October 19, at Winchester Park, starting at 2 30 p.m.

Four teams including Masters and Celebrities, Referees, Christian Ambassadors and St George’s Old Boys will match up against each other in a round robin format.

This year’s honourees are former national player Undel Williams, referee and coach Hansel Lee, assistant referee Garnett Paige, former national defender Durrant ‘Tatti’ Brown, and former Reggae Girls star Tashawna Vincent.

Although there will be no entry fee, patrons will be asked to make a donation at the gate. Donations will go towards the purchase of items to assist basic schools.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com