The good always die young but the great always leave their mark. Gone is a great player, a good friend, the football fraternity has lost a flower who was yet to bloom.
Those were some of the sentiments expressed yesterday when national goalkeeper Colin Edwards who died following a motor cycle accident last week was laid to rest.
“We the Fruta Conquerors family are very saddened at the passing of Colin Edwards and express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved immediate family and by extension the football fraternity,” stated Wayne Forde, president of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club.
At a simple viewing hosted at the Tucville Ground, attended by large mass inclusive of the respective teams, players, fans and coaches, the palpably affected president said that he hopes this dreadful and sudden loss would serve as an example to all footballers who own motorcycles.
“We are very distraught by the tragic loss of a great friend and irreplaceable player. Colin grew up and developed in Fruta Conquerors and our prayers and thoughts go out to the family. The hope is that his passing would be a catalyst for the promotion of better riding habits amongst players who are currently owners of motorcycles through the implementation and use of proper equipment when riding.
“Our intention is to name a trophy after Colin preferably the Fruta Conquerors tournament best custodian award and to also organize a charity match in his honour, with the proceeds going to a worthy cause,” Forde added.
Coach Sampson Gilbert of the Fruta Conquerors also reflected on his interactions with Edwards proclaiming that he was a determined individual and that his commitment and application to progress was second to none.
“Colin was a resolute player from the inception of his career who greatly believed in development of not only the individual but the team and club. His work ethic, vision for the collective prosperity of the team was unfathomable and I hope that my players can emulate his ideology and commitment. Our condolences go out to the family and the football institution as a whole in Guyana for the loss of such a great player and friend,” said Gilbert.
Family member and Alpha United coach Wayne Dover also shared sentiments in regards to the deep grief currently enveloping the family stating that the country has lost a very promising player and individual.
“The sudden passing of Colin has clearly affected the whole family and football in its entirety. Only now beginning his life and so full of promise and potential, it’s just hard to express in words the sorrow that is currently being experienced. Always disciplined and willing to learn, his hunger for development and openness to correction was always duly noted and he will be greatly missed,” said Dover.
