Dear Editor,
‘Screw’ Richmond was a celebrated household name in the Linden community (Mackenzie) during his reign in the ’60s and ’70s – an outstanding, flamboyant and inspirational sports personality.
Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond was born in Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice on May 1, 1942. Like several persons during that period he came to Mackenzie at a very young age – seven – and lived on the eastern half of Bulletwood Street during his childhood years. He attended the Mackenzie Primary School, and as a young man participated in cricket, football, table tennis, billiards and many other sports that young men played. ‘Screw’ was always exceptional at any game he participated in, and because he was much better than the other guys his age, the older boys would select him as a member of their team whatever the sport.
He was a member of the very first soft-shoe football team , ‘White Star,’ that was formed in Mackenzie, and which comprised a bunch of the most talented young players at that time – Mickie Jordan, Roger Hinds, Show Bennet, Utal Wilson, Archie Melville, Gunner Melville, Bill Robinson, Percy Canterberry and Reds Benjamin, among others.
After completing primary school ‘Screw’ became an employee with the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba) the main source of employment in Mackenzie, and naturally became a member of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), the Mecca of sports in Mackenzie/Linden where his versatility and dexterity began to bloom. He took part in almost every sport that was played in the club, where his dominance was often overwhelming, and he represented MSC in many disciplines.
But his reputation was not confined to the mining community; the word spread and soon reached Georgetown and beyond, so much so that St Barnabas Football Club in Georgetown invited him to become a member, which he gladly accepted merely for the fun of the game. But fulfilling this commitment proved to be an inconvenience, since the games had to be played during his work week in Georgetown some 65 miles from Mackenzie, where he had to travel by boat.
By this time ‘Screw’ had become a star in the community and attracted the attention of many high profile personalities and officials, including Dr Charles Rosa, who was also President of the MSC. Dr Rosa made arrangements for him to leave work early on the day of his game in Georgetown, take a speedboat from Mackenzie to Atkinson Field, then go by car to the city.
Almost immediately on his arrival ‘Screw’ became one of the best forwards in Guyana and represented this country for several years. During those years his powerful and accurate shots with both feet were the hardest and most awesome in the major leagues, and he became the top goal scorer in the country. The man had craft in his feet.
But even though soccer was his first love, he was just as good in other games, as was mentioned above. As a cricketer he had the highest score in Linden at the MSC ground – one hundred and seventy-five. He also shared the highest opening partnership with Jimmy Hamilton – two hundred and thirty-five. He was also a member of the MSC team that won the White Cup in 1962 under the captaincy of Richard Thompson.
In that very year he won the table-tennis championship at Mackenzie and was awarded Sportsman of the Year, the first time that award was ever given in the bauxite town. In the game of billiards he made it difficult for many of his opponents, and even though he did not practise as much as other competitors, he was runner-up in the billiards competition that year also.
As a Lindener Edward Richmond was one of the most loved, respected, and well- known personalities. He raised the bar for Linden in every major sport that was played during those years. As an opponent I ‘hated’ him, and that was because he was always winning, but as a team-mate I ‘loved’ him to death. May 10, 2005, was one of the saddest days of my life when I received the news that he had died He was the best sportsman I ever knew, not only because he was my friend, but because I competed with him I became better in sports. He was Linden’s superstar and paved the way for several of Guyana’s best footballers – Nevil ‘Zipper’ Johnson, ‘Oiler’ Anthony, Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, ‘Collie’ Hercules, Aubrey Hutson, just to name a few outstanding players, all of whom should pay obeisance to him.
I am indeed lucky and honoured that I came to know him; lucky and honoured that he was my friend; that we played in the same team, and were indeed proud of his accomplishments; that we were born, that we shared precious space and time together. For all these things and more I am indeed happy that in the world of sport he stood tall, a giant among others, who has left a rich legacy to the sporting arena and more particularly to this mining town.
He brought glory and many proud moments through his unmatched performances and sportsmanship. The ‘Caramba,’ as he was sometimes fondly called, was the very first person from this bauxite mining community to lift the flag of Mackenzie/Linden by representing Guyana (British Guiana) at a major sport.
The hallmark of a truly remarkably athlete.
Yours faithfully,
Campton ‘Chatta’ London