Bernard wants more recognition for local football stalwarts

Harbour View head coach Ludlow Bernard says that he hopes more former players who have made significant contributions to football in Jamaica will be appropriately honoured, in the wake of late national striker Luton Shelton receiving the Keys to the City of Kingston.

Shelton received the award posthumously on Monday during halftime of Harbour View's 4-0 win over Montego Bay United for his sterling contributions to local and international football. Luton's wife, Bobbette, received it on his behalf.

Shelton, who is Jamaica's all-time leading men's goalscorer, died on January 2021 after a three-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bernard was appreciative that his former charge was recognised in this way and he hopes that other greats of the local game will be able to receive the same treatment in the future.

"One of the things that I am advocating for is that a lot of the stalwarts in football need to be recognised more. I just think that too many of us are dying and not enough recognition is being meted out to them. But doing this for the footballer, I think is very good," Bernard told STAR Sports.

Shelton came through the Harbour View youth system with Bernard playing a role in his development before making his professional debut with the team in 2003. He would enjoy a playing career which lasted more than a decade, playing in Norway, Sweden, England, Turkey and Russia.

Bernard said that it was important that those who have made major contributions to local football, whether retired or deceased are celebrated, honoured and remembered to keep their legacy alive.

"I don't know if something was done in the city of Montego Bay for Winston 'Twinny'' Anglin or Stephen 'Shorty' Malcolm. But I think this (Shelton's award) is a very good gesture. And I think (players should be honoured) not only when the players die," Bernard said. "There are past players who would have been playing and are in retirement. We should have something like an annual event where we recognise these players. If it is even two or three annually, and of course the administrators and coaches."

In receiving the award, Bobbette was grateful in seeing her husband's contribution appreciated in this way.

"Thank you to everyone who was instrumental in facilitating this award and recognising his talent, his hard work and dedication to football," Bobbette said.

- D.W.