Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite – WC Player, Capt. & Coach

Aug 02, 2012 Sports

– former Guyana International 1977 – 1985

Gordon Ultimate Warrior Braithwaite is probably the only individual in the Caribbean who has the distinct honour of participating at the World Cup level as a player (1980) Captain (1984) and Coach (1992).
The Queen’s College standout made his World Cup debut in March 1980 against Grenada at the world famous GCC Ground, Bourda and scored to inspire Guyana to an emphatic come from behind 5-2 victory after Grenada were leading 2-0.

Gordon Braithwaite

His next World Cup game was the return fixture in St. Georges, Grenada and again, his performance was outstanding culminating in a 3-2 victory that eliminated the host.
His 1980 World Cup campaign ended on a disappointing note because Guyana suffered home and away losses to Suriname and Cuba.
The Ultimate Warrior’s next World Cup engagement was July 1984 against Suriname but unlike 1980, this time he was wearing the captaincy armband. Guyana lost 1-0 in Paramaribo and drew the return fixture 1-1 at GCC, Bourda.
The last time he participated at the World Cup level was back in 1992 and this time it was as Coach of the Guyana team that drew the return fixture 1-1 against Suriname at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium, Paramaribo.
Braithwaite’s first outing in National colours was (1975) against Suriname in the Inter Guiana Games series. In 1976 he played an integral role when Pele won the Demico League for the first time. His first Senior National call ended disappointingly in October, 1976.
After being named in an 18-man squad to face Curacao in two friendly Internationals, Braithwaite was surprised when a new squad was handed to then National Coach George Green, minus his name and several of his Pele club mates.
So, young Braithwaite had to wait until the following year, 1977 for his senior International debut. The opponents were Regional power house Trinidad and Tobago who was guest of the Guyana Football Federation for their 75th anniversary celebrations.
The Soca Warriors won the three match series on goal difference after losing the first match 2-1 at Mackenzie Sports Club; drew the second 2-2 at the GCC Ground, Bourda and won the series finale 2-0 at the same venue.
At the conclusion of the series, the debutant Braithwaite was named Guyana’s MVP. In 1977, his International campaign continued with friendly Internationals against Barbados and Cuba’s Under-23.
He also featured in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship for Pele FC, so it was no surprise when the ‘Ultimate Warrior’ was named Footballer-of-the-Year, 1977.
He was also Runner-up Sportsman-of-that-Year to Colin Croft and Lennox Blackmoore. It is important to note that the Queen’s College graduate was only 19 years old.
His 1978 International programme started with two friendly Internationals for Guyana’s National Under-23 team against Suriname’s Under-23 at the Georgetown Football Club and Mackenzie Sports Club Grounds.
Guyana lost both matches 1-0 and 4-3 respectively. Braithwaite then toured Barbados and Trinidad with the Senior National team. He also toured Aruba with Pele FC for the CFU Club Championship.
His next International assignment was against Suriname in the Caribbean Nations Cup which Guyana lost in Paramaribo, 2-1, Braithwaite scored his first senior International goal in that match.
Chinese provisional team Kwang Tung was the Ultimate Warrior’s next International opponents, October 1978.
The following year, 1979 he accepted a football scholarship to Clemson University in the United States of America.
After being named Footballer-of-the-Year again in 1983, he replaced Terrence Archer as National Captain in 1984. In 1985, he became the first and to date still the only National Captain to defeat the Mighty Cubans in an International Series.
The Braithwaite led National squad humbled Castro’s men in a two match series in January 1985 at GCC Ground, Bourda.
The ‘Ultimate Warrior’ is also the first National Coach to lead Guyana to a Caribbean Championship finals, 1991 in Kingston, Jamaica where Guyana placed fourth at the Shell Cup Finals.
International Tours
1977   Suriname with Pele – CFU Club Championship
1978   Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname with Senior National Team
1978   Aruba with Pele CFU – Club Championship
1980   Grenada World Cup Qualifier
1980   Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1980   Trinidad & Tobago International friendly
1980   Cuba World Cup Qualifier
1983   Barbados – CFU Championship
1983   Antigua & Barbados – CFU Championship
1983   Trinidad & Tobago – Goodwill Tour
1984   Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1984   Trinidad & Tobago – International Friendly
1985   French Guiana – CFU Championship
1991   Jamaica – Shell Cup Finals
1992   Suriname – Shell Cup Preliminaries
1992   Suriname – World Cup Qualifier
2010   Suriname Olympic Qualifier
His first Senior National Team tour came in April 1978 to Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.