Latest update December 19th, 2024 3:22 AM
No place for disabled, destitute former national footballers
-Norville laments neglect, dishonourable treatment
By Edison Jefford
Guyana’s inventory of prominent sportsmen, who have been nationally neglected, has become a 
burgeoning document with Godfrey Norville adding his name to the list with an account that was nothing short of dishonourable for someone of national acclaim.
Former national footballer, Norville, who described himself as being disabled because of his loss of sight, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that he and fellow ex-national player, Compton Julian, are among two of the players with special needs that Guyana has neglected.
Julian is a regular occupant of the pavilion that was erected on Burnham Basketball Court; he has been homeless for some time. Norville is of the view that there should have been more assistance for them. He said there are no systems to accommodate their special needs.
“Come down on these people to assist us, we blind and disabled people, we can still be used. All the money they make in football they don’t even give us a pass, not even a bench is put there for us as disabled people. Is there anybody who will ask ‘what about them?’ Norville bemoaned.
“Burdette Marshall played for Guyana, saved (goal-keep) for Guyana, and now he is also blind. I am blind. Julian played for the Caribbean team in England. I am getting to the point that we did serve this country with distinction and look at us now,” he continued.
Norville credited the late Maurice Moore with being the author of his career. He took a brief trip down memory lane, and recalled that he played in the era of George Greene, and Aubrey Bishop, who is still his friend to this day. The 65 year old Norville indicated that he loves football, and devoted his life to serving Guyana on a football field. He recalled his initiation in the sport at 12 years old for Albouystown YMCA to his zenith of representing Guyana against Jamaica.
“I am here to speak my mind because I want to know if we have soccer now or we have suckers.
The people who are coming into football now are suckers. They are not giving nothing to no one. I remember I went to a football match some time ago and was told at the gate that I cannot go in because I didn’t have a pass. Where is the respect for people like me,” Norville asked.
He said one time that he asked a popular football official to support him in acquiring eye-drops after the official enquired about his wellbeing. He stated that it is now three years since he made the request and is yet to receive the eye-drops that he was promised.
“What I am trying to show the young generation now is that these people are not for soccer, they are for themselves. They don’t care about anybody. When I walk people acknowledge me as one of the best footballers in my time, but at the top I don’t get that treatment,” he observed.
Norville related that he is one of only four players to ever play every position on a football field for Guyana except goalkeeping. He informed that the other three players included Moore, Patsy Pieters and Dion Barnwell. The former national footballer said he is waiting on the day that those in authority will ensure that they get the attention he believes they deserve.
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