When conversations come up about Guyanese footballers that have had the distinct honor of representing the Caribbean – the West Indies football team, the names often mentioned are Hubert (Senor) Braithwaite, George Greene deceased, Compton Julian deceased and Monty Hope deceased.
The above had the privilege of touring the United Kingdom in August, 1959 with the Patrick Gomez-led West Indies football team.
Rewind to February, 1952, when the Caribbean Football Association was formed and the first Caribbean All-Stars football theme was selected to tour Jamaica for four matches against the hosts at the world famous Sabina Park.
The players that represented the Land of Many Waters on that historic tour, led by Trinidadian goalkeeper, Joey Gonsalves, were Charlton Football Club left back, Emmanuel De Souza and Victoria forward, Maurice Moore.
The Caribbean Football Association broke the tension when they released the names of the 16 players to tour Jamaica in February 1952 under the management of Eric James, secretary of the newly formed body.
The side disembarked at Kingston, Jamaica on February 17, 1952 and played a series of games including four matches against the Jamaica national side and a one off match against the Combined Colleges.
The team’s first ever selection comprised four players from Trinidad, four from Haiti, three from Aruba, two from Guadeloupe, two from British Guiana and one from Puerto Rico.
The 1952 Caribbean All Stars team vs Jamaica was:- Joey Gonsalves, Trinidad, (Captain/Goalkeeper), Mateo Reyes, Aruba, (Goalkeeper) Gerry Parson, Trinidad, (Fullback) Andrey Dieudonne, Haiti,(Fullback), Emmanuel De Souza, British Guiana, (Fullback), Delbert Charleau, Trinidad, (Halfback), Allan Joseph, Trinidad, (Halfback), Yevon Dorceans, Haiti, (Halfback), Rafael Baez Guillen, Puerto Rico, (Halfback), Andrey Vieux, Haiti (Forward), Jacquex Banguillot, Guadeloupe(Forward), Adrian Brokke, Aruba(Forward) Charles Banguillot, Guadeloupe(Forward), Paul Desrosiers, Haiti(Forward) Juan Briezen, Aruba, (Forward), Morris Moore, British Guiana, (Forward).
This series was arranged to provide relief funds to cover the damage to Jamaica in 1951 by hurricane.
All matches were played at Sabina Park.
In the first match played February 23, 1952 the Caribbean All Stars won 5- 1. Michael Kruin of Suriname, who was drafted in the squad, scored four goals while Lindy Dela Penha scored Jamaica’s goal.
The second match on February 25, 1952, Jamaica won 2-1 with goal scorers Allicock and Heron while Suriname’s Michael Kruin was the Caribbean All Stars goal scorer.
The third match on February 27, was won by the Caribbean All Stars 1-0 with Kruin again the goal scorer while the fourth match on March 1st was won 1-0 by Jamaica with Freddie Greene netting the game winner.
Suriname players Michel Kruin, Andre Kamperveen and Humphrey Mynals replaced the Haitian players who were selected in the original squad.
When the next Caribbean All Stars team was selected in December 1952 for matches against Suriname in Paramaribo, British Guiana was represented by Emmanuel De Souza and Lewis `Waterboat’ Weithers.
The 1952 Caribbean All Stars team against Suriname in Paramaribo comprised Trinidadians, Joey Gonsalves, captain, Patrick Gomes, Allan Joseph, Conrad Braithwaite,
Gerry Parson, Michael Nunes, Shay Simon, Trinidad, Robert Hamel Smith, Carlton Lewis, Doyle Griffith, Carlton Hinds and Delibert Charleau. The other members were
Dudley Smith, Vivian Bayliss and Morris Williams of Jamaica, Felix Ceijo of Puerto Rico and Weithers and De Souza of British Guiana
Trinidad’s Eric James was the Manager.
