Tivoli Gardens FC mourn the death of founder Edward Seaga

by

May 29, 2019

Photo

Howie Chin (second right), chairman of Locker Room Sports, presents a Tivoli Gardens match jersey to Edward Seaga (second left), president Tivoli Gardens Football Club in 2012.

The Most Hon Edward Seaga at a Red Stripe Premier League encounter with his team Tivoli Gardens and Portmore United at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Tivoli Gardens FC in a training session at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in the western Kingston community.

Waterhouse FC’s Andre Leslie (centre) dribbling past Tivoli Gardens defenders Andre Moulton (left) and Tevin Garnett during their Red Stripe Premier League football match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

Former manager of the Tivoli Gardens Football Club Brian Rose says the club and the community will miss the leadership skills and passion of former Prime Minister and founder of the Western Kingston-based football club, Edward Seaga, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89.

Rose, who was Seaga's right-hand man at the club for 17 years as team manager, revealed that what was supposed to be a day of celebration in the community ended up being a day of mourning as they were preparing to celebrate the community founder birthday. However, when news of the legendary former MP's death surfaced, it plunged the community into anguish and Rose believes Seaga's leadership is what the club and community will miss.

"Today was his birthday and they (the community) were planning something for him. Unfortunately, they won't be able to share that moment, instead it will be a moment of grieving," he said.

Great Loss

"It a great loss for the community, myself and a lot of individuals, but we just have to take it a step at a time and look forward from now but it is real difficult to accept. He was the chairman of the football club for years, basically since it's inception and I learned a lot from him, believed in him and accepted what he had to offer, but it is his leadership that will be missed by the club," he commented.

"He stood up for what he believed in. He was very passionate about football and about winning and it's a pity a lot of the clubs don't have that type of leadership. He left an impact on everybody no matter how small. The community and club will have to sit and see where they go from here. They really miss him but what he has left behind we can cherish and build on it," he added.

Former player and Premier League winning coach with the club, Lenworth Hyde, also believes it will be very hard for anyone to follow in the footsteps of the great man but says someone has to take up the task.

"I don't know how that is going to happen now. Even for the football, I don't see any move being made as yet. I don't see anybody now to go in and take up that mantle. There cannot be another Edward George Seaga. I don't know who is going to take up the mantle but life goes on. He left a legacy there and, hopefully, somebody can come in and take it forward," he said.

Seaga passed away in the United States, where he had been receiving treatment for cancer at approximately 1 p.m. yesterday.