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'Corntail' remembered as talented, caring individual
PAUL A REID, Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, February 01, 2008
Pall bearers, including former national coach Wendell Downswell (left), escort the casket of former national representative, Caple 'Corntail' Donaldson, from the Footprints SDA church in Savanna-la-Mar on Sunday. Among the pall bearers were former teammates Donald Hewitt, Linval 'Palla' Wilson, Mark 'Hagler' Wilson and Clive Richards. (Photo: Paul Reid)
SAV-LA-MAR, Westmoreland - President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, has said that former national representatives must be taken care of if they fall on hard times.
Captain Burrell said those in any sport who have represented their country and need help later in life should be extended a special hand from the authorities.
The JFF boss made the call during Sunday's funeral service for former Reno FC and national striker, Caple 'Corntail' Donaldson, at the Footprints Seventh-day Adventist Church in Savanna-la-Mar.
The church was packed with mourners paying final tributes to the player who was described by former national coach Wendell Downswell as "ambitious, noble, very confident and dedicated".
Donaldson, who played for several championship teams, including the all-conquering Rusea's High outfit that won four titles in 1985, as well as Reno's first Premier League championship team in 1990, died on January 11 as a result of gun shot wounds he received last December.
He represented Jamaica from 1986-1992 and was instrumental in the Caribbean Cup victory in 1991.
Donaldson, who was 41 and is survived by two daughters, was shot by policemen during a fracas in Savanna-la-Mar. He suffered from a mental illness and had been living on the streets for a number of years.
"I do believe that in the course of life, if they (former national representatives) face any kind of misfortune, that in the same way they made the community and the country happy and proud... those in authority should reach out a little more to assist," said Burrell.
"Maybe if a special hand was extended to 'Corntail', he would not be lying here in front of us today. But who are we to question the Lord's design? Let us accept it, but... be there for those who were icons; for those who have done so much to make an entire community happy."
JFF's first vice-president, Dale Spencer, represented the Federation, while ICC Elite panel umpire, Steve Bucknor; former Reno coach, Boysie Nicholson; former national players Aaron Lawrence and Linval 'Palla' Wilson, as well as present and former members of the Reno team, were also present.
A number of speakers described Donaldson as an ambitious, positive, talented and caring person. Donald Gordon, who represented the Westmoreland FA, said the striker was "a true soldier... with the heart of a lion who would put fear into the heart of defenders and goalkeepers".
Anthony Richards, who read the eulogy, spoke of the man who achieved success not only at home, but in various United States leagues where he also coached youth football.
PAUL A REID, Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, February 01, 2008
Pall bearers, including former national coach Wendell Downswell (left), escort the casket of former national representative, Caple 'Corntail' Donaldson, from the Footprints SDA church in Savanna-la-Mar on Sunday. Among the pall bearers were former teammates Donald Hewitt, Linval 'Palla' Wilson, Mark 'Hagler' Wilson and Clive Richards. (Photo: Paul Reid)SAV-LA-MAR, Westmoreland - President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, has said that former national representatives must be taken care of if they fall on hard times.
Captain Burrell said those in any sport who have represented their country and need help later in life should be extended a special hand from the authorities.
The JFF boss made the call during Sunday's funeral service for former Reno FC and national striker, Caple 'Corntail' Donaldson, at the Footprints Seventh-day Adventist Church in Savanna-la-Mar.
The church was packed with mourners paying final tributes to the player who was described by former national coach Wendell Downswell as "ambitious, noble, very confident and dedicated".
Donaldson, who played for several championship teams, including the all-conquering Rusea's High outfit that won four titles in 1985, as well as Reno's first Premier League championship team in 1990, died on January 11 as a result of gun shot wounds he received last December.
He represented Jamaica from 1986-1992 and was instrumental in the Caribbean Cup victory in 1991.
Donaldson, who was 41 and is survived by two daughters, was shot by policemen during a fracas in Savanna-la-Mar. He suffered from a mental illness and had been living on the streets for a number of years.
"I do believe that in the course of life, if they (former national representatives) face any kind of misfortune, that in the same way they made the community and the country happy and proud... those in authority should reach out a little more to assist," said Burrell.
"Maybe if a special hand was extended to 'Corntail', he would not be lying here in front of us today. But who are we to question the Lord's design? Let us accept it, but... be there for those who were icons; for those who have done so much to make an entire community happy."
JFF's first vice-president, Dale Spencer, represented the Federation, while ICC Elite panel umpire, Steve Bucknor; former Reno coach, Boysie Nicholson; former national players Aaron Lawrence and Linval 'Palla' Wilson, as well as present and former members of the Reno team, were also present.
A number of speakers described Donaldson as an ambitious, positive, talented and caring person. Donald Gordon, who represented the Westmoreland FA, said the striker was "a true soldier... with the heart of a lion who would put fear into the heart of defenders and goalkeepers".
Anthony Richards, who read the eulogy, spoke of the man who achieved success not only at home, but in various United States leagues where he also coached youth football.
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