The late George Arlington Green and Earl O’ Neal have several things in common.
They were both national captains, both national coaches and both represented the Caribbean at football.
And while he did not say so, one gets the distinct impression that the late George Green was somewhat of a role model and inspiration to O’Neal.
What O’ Neal did say, however, was that the late former football stalwart was like a father to him and many others.
“It seems like only a few years ago when I first met George Arlington Green. The father of the most sons as he was known. The likes of Ken Gibbs, Cardo Williams, Alvin Brotherson, Maurice Enmore, Pat Britton, Ovid Henry and many more,” O’Neal, the former Thomas United defence stalwart recalled.
O’Neal remembers Green as being a versatile sportsman, like many an athlete in those days.
“`Georgie’ as we would call him, played cricket for Malteenoes and football for Sandbach Parker and British Guiana,” said O’Neal.
“He was also a member of the first Caribbean team in 1959,” he said adding that Green was also selected to participate in an International Football Federation (FIFA) sponsored three-month long training programme in Germany.
O’Neal remembers the late Green working as an accountant at the Guyana National Trading Corporation (GNTC). He was subsequently appointed Assistant Director of Sports and was in charge of the annual Coca Cola football tournament for schools, a tournament which produced the likes of players such as Collie Hercules, Jermaine Smartt and others who went on to represent Guyana with distinction.
It was while he was at the Department of Sport, working along with such stalwarts as Bertram Butters and Ivor O’ Brien, that Green put his stamp on the resuscitation of the Inter Guiana Games among Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. He was to play an integral role in the tri-nation tournament which featured the crème de la crème of the athletes of the Guianas in disciplines such as football, athletics, volleyball, basketball and table tennis.
Not surprisingly, his exploits on and off the field resulted in his recognition at the governmental level and he was the recipient of a national award, the Medal of Service, for his contribution to sports.
O’Neal, who played for the Caribbean side against English second division side Hull City, feels the recognition was fully deserved.
“Green, for as long as I can remember, was a cool and calm individual amidst the storms and tempests of life. “Indeed, I can think of no one in the football fraternity who can step forward to say that Green was ever known to lose his cool or speak an angry word as he was a nice person in every sense of the word, both on and off the field,” he added.
O’Neal said Green was also more than a competent coach.
“I was fortunate to be in the World Cup squad in Kimbia when Green was the coach and there was no more neat and tidy person than him. He was a great role model.
“It is a sad reality that people only hear of someone’s good qualities after they would have passed beyond this earthly existence.
“I am sure that because of Green’s love for his family and the many friends he made and nurtured in his humble and productive life in sport he was unable to hear the words that somehow time and circumstances may have conspired to prevent us from spreading while and when we could, to express our love and admiration.
“On behalf of the football fraternity, I offer words of comfort to his beloved family and all of his grieving friends.
Rest in eternal peace my friend George Arlington Green.”
Green will be laid to rest today. The funeral service will take place from 1pm at the Central Baptist Church, 66 Brickdam and Brummell Place.
