English was a star from Waterhouse before me – Fraser-Pryce

Former Waterhouse Football Club captain, Irvino English, who was laid to rest at the Meadowrest, following a thanksgiving service at Penwood Seventh-day Adventist in Waterhouse, yesterday, was remembered for his passion and strong desire to win.

Anthony Hylton, member of parliament, announced they will start a scholarship fund in the player's name to keep his memory and contribution to the community alive.

But tribute for the player, affectionately known as 'Dada', poured in from all sectors of the community and the local football fraternity.

Sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who lived on the same street (Ashoka Road), acknowledged English as the first national super star from their road and saw him as a humble human being and a passionate footballer

"If anybody knew 'Eder, he is always smiling. I lived in front of him. But one thing I am grateful for is before the world knew Shelly- Ann Fraser-Pryce, they knew a star from Ashoka Road, and that was Irvino English. Being a star footballer who represented the national team at the junior and senior level, that was a big thing" She told the gathering.

Counsellor Byron Clarke said losing wasn't something English accepted and that the whole community would know when Waterhouse lost. "His passion was enormous. When he lost, the whole community knew and that speaks to the passion he had for the game," Clarke said.

Lover of the game

Arnett Gardens chairman, Mark Golding, also remembered the former player as being very positive and very passionate if things were not going right.

"He was a passionate person and a lover of the game. He's normally happy, jovial and positive but when he was upset, he was passionately upset. But he was a great guy," he said.

Waterhouse coach and former youth football teammate, Marcel Gayle, said English was always a great source of motivation and confidence as his desire to win knew no bounds.

"He would go the distant to get success. He would never hide his opinion and be afraid to show his true feelings for the right things. So I remember him being very passionate. Whenever we had a tough opponent, once Irvino was there we knew we had a chance because his determination, tenacity and bravery always carried over to the players," he said.

Irvino's father, Donovan English, said he was destined for great things from early but admitted he had a hard time accepting losing. "Allan 'Skill' Cole one day asked if he was my son and, 'Cherry' (Cole) said he approach football so clean. But I tried to tell him sometimes he has to lose, because others are training just as hard to win and God will make them win sometime. But he wasn't on that. No matter what he was playing, it was never a joke thing," he stated.

Hylton said there are lessons to learn from English's passion and commitment to the game. And in an effort to keep the player's memory and his contribution to the community alive, the scholarship would recognise young talent from the community and assist them through high school.

"You must have commitment and you must be passionate about that which you are gifted and hone that talent. We recognised the passion and talent he had for the game. The community wishes the positive things he has done and represent lives in the memory of the people of Waterhouse.

"So, beginning September, we will recognise a youngster from Waterhouse, girl or boy, who carries the Waterhouse symbol into high school football. We will offer a scholarship to that person. And we will ensure that once that person goes on to high school that $100,000 is available each year," he said.

English is survived by his two sons, Rivaldo and Jevaughn.