Professor Aubrey Bishop heads GFF 2010 list of honorees

Feb 10, 2011 Sports

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Professor Aubrey Bishop (right), receiving his plaque from GFF President Colin Klass.

Five recognised for exceptional service to football

Former President of the Guyana Football Association Professor Aubrey Bishop was one of five (5) persons who were honoured by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for exceptional service to football over the years.
The other honorees are Ivor O’Brien, Allison Peters, Lancelot Baptiste and John Yates. Today we feature Professor Aubrey Bishop and with the other honorees appearing in subsequent editions. The following information was compiled by GFF Competition’s Committee Coordinator, Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith.
Professor Aubrey Bishop – Born September 1931, this individual’s contribution to football is exemplary to say the least. He started out as a humble player representing the Red Hammers F.C as a left winger and also represented Queens College and the BGCC. He played for Guyana against the British Fleet Air XI (England Army) in 1955.
A Barrister of Law by profession, in 1964 Bishop took over the Presidency of the then Guyana Football Association (GFA) from Campbell Adams after serving as Vice President. His ascendency to this position was significant since it marked the commencement of the period of fundamental structural changes throughout the GFA. The Constitution was immediately revamped.
In those years Georgetown did not have a Sub Association, so he immediately instructed the seven (7) 1st division clubs to form a Sub Association and join the other five (5) Sub Associations. The Georgetown Football League was formed hence the bias which was distinctly in Georgetown’s favor was removed. The GFA’s monthly meetings were rotated around the Sub Associations.
During his tenure as President, Guyana entered its 1st World Cup with the team being encamped for approximately six (6) months which entailed long periods away from home. The working players were given time off with pay and everyone received an allowance. Mr. Kenneth King the then Minister of Economic Affairs sent out an order to all Corporations telling them that they must cooperate with the GFA. Ms. Shirley Field Ridley was the Minister of Sports.
The GFA had to borrow uniforms from clubs when the national team had matches and Bishop acquired the first set of uniforms when he attained the Presidency.
As preparation for the World Cup match against Suriname which was scheduled for GCC, a committee comprising Vice President Manny J. De Silva, Deryck Whitehead, Bonny Fernandes, Vice President Daniels of Linden, Ivor O’Brien and Secretary Fitz Johnson worked with the President to arrange friendly games for the team.
A series games were played against Bari FC of Brazil, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers of England, Trinidad & Tobago and French Guiana.
A noteworthy achievement during his tenure was when he invited Dr Joao Havelange, then President of FIFA to visit Guyana, however when he {Havelange}arrived in Guyana Bishop had to vacate the Presidency and Manny De Silva took over. The reason was that Bishop was sworn in as a Supreme High Court Judge the day before Havelange to Guyana and he {Bishop}thought it best in the interest of both portfolios to vacate the GFA Office.
Professor Aubrey Bishop, a Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary has been married to Dr. Carole Bishop for 46 years, this father of three (3) continued being a part of football through Refereeing. One of the most feared Referees in his time he achieved FIFA status becoming the 2nd person after Deryck Whitehead. As a Referee the protests were minimal, the abuse was nonexistent and the praises were abundant.
Professor Bishop also played cricket, hockey and table tennis. He was such a versatile administrator; he was approached to be the President of the Guyana Cricket Board before Major General Norman Mc Lean but did not accept.
He was also an excellent cricketer but his career probably prevented him from representing Guyana and the WI. He was Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the GCB.
Some of his football playmates were Stanley Moore (Snr.), Ronald Bacchus, Dr W. I. ‘Bud’ Lee, Desmond Marks and G. I. G. Delph.
Fitz Johnson and Col. Godwyn McPherson functioned as Secretaries during his tenure and he praised McPherson aka ‘Mac’ as an excellent administrator. Some of the persons who played in his time were Compton Julian, ‘Squeeky’ Hinds, Winston de Harte and Renny Caleb. George Green and Lewis ‘Waterboat’ Weathers were the coaches of the national team.
Professor Bishop was a Hockey Referee and was approached to referee Rugby but declined. He was also the first Secretary of the Veterans Football Association which was formed in the late 1960’s. He was President of the Guyana Football Referees Association and also functioned as Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association under the Presidency of Justice P. A. Cummings for a number of years.
A few years ago when the Guyana Football Referees Council were restructuring its constitution, Justice Bishop attended the meeting and made some valuable contributions.
On the recommendation of the GFF, Professor Bishop was accepted to serve a two (2) year term as one of the Arbiters on the Court of Arbitration in Sport in Zurich, Switzerland.
The GFF salute the versatile, innovative and worthy statesman, Professor Aubrey Bishop.

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