Leonard ‘Dentist’ Williams, Western Utd first national player

Oct 07, 2012 Sports

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Former Guyana International 1979 to 1985

 

Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his series on former footballers who represented Guyana at the World Cup and International levels.  Today we feature Leonard ‘Dentist’ Williams who played for Guyana between 1979 and 1985.
The first player from Western United to don National colours was Leonard ‘Dentist’ Williams.  The fearsome defender was one of Lennox Arthur’s defence men when the Clive Perry led National under-18 team lost the Forbes Burnham trophy to Suriname in October 1974 in Paramaribo.
Feared by many because of is robust and rough neck defending, ‘Dentist’ next outing in National Colours was 1978 for the National under-23 team against the touring Kwang Tung provisional team from China.  The following year 1979 after some outstanding work at the back for the young and hungry Western United in the Demico League tournament, the defence bad boy was included in the Earl O’ Neal led National 20 man Squad for the CFU Senior Championship, but the fearsome defender had to wait for is Senior International Debut because Guyana withdrew from the 1979 CFU Campaign.  His wait was short lived, the next year 1980, Guyana engaged Grenada in an World Cup Qualifier at the world famous GCC Bourda and was two Nil down early in the contest but the introduction of the ‘Dentist’ energized Skipper O’Neal and the late Clive ‘Breeser’ Nedd, the trio shut down the Grenadian strikers that led to a 5-2 Guyana Victory which is still the biggest win by Guyana in a World Cup Qualifier.
The ‘Dentist’ first Senior International Overseas was the returned World Cup fixture in St. George’s Grenada where Guyana eliminated the host by three goals to two.  His next World Cup Qualifier ended in a one Nil loss to Suriname at GCC Bourda September 1980.  The return fixture in Paramaribo where Earl O’ Neal men lost 4 Nil is one of ‘Dentist’ Williams worst International matches as a Senior National Player.
The Defence Stalwart next international assignment in 1980 was two International Friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.  His International Programme in 1980 concluded with losses to Cuba in Havana one Nil and 3 Nil in the return fixture at Mackenzie Sports Club, those results brought an end to Guyana 1980 World Cup Campaign.
Guyana played no internationals in 1981-1982 so the ‘Dentist’ had to settle for club duties and inter-corporation activities for the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation.  Guyana returned to international action in 1983 and the ‘Dentist’ first operation was in Bridgetown the Barbados Capital where he Aubrey Hudson, Marlon De Souza and ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite shutdown the Bajan Strikers as ‘Pug’ Wilson’s men drew the CFU eliminator one All.
Inspired by the Bridgetown performance the ‘Dentist’ and company showed no mercy in the returned fixture at GCC Bourda where Guyana eliminated the Boys from ‘Bimshire’ two Nil.  After helping Guyana to eliminate Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda was the ‘Dentist’ next International opponents.   Outstanding work in Defence by ‘Dentist’ Williams, Aubrey Hudson, Marlon De Souza and ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite Guyana held Antigua to an Nil All draw at GCC Bourda, but ‘Pug’ Wilson omitted the ‘Dentist’ and Marlon De Souza for indiscipline for the return fixture in St. John’s the Antigua Capitol and the results were devastating. Everton Gonsalves the Antiguan striker scored a helmet-trick (4) of goals.  Although Guyana were eliminated from the 1983 CFU Championship, Coach Wilson was willing to lose men rather than his battleship.  Although the ‘Dentist’ and DeSouza were integral components in ‘Pug’ Wilson’s defence they paid the ultimate price for failing to commit to team concept; the ‘Dentist’ was recalled, when the ‘Pug’ Wilson coached team toured the twin Island Republic and contested two friendlies against the host as they prepared for the 1983 CFU finals in Cayenne.
The following year 1984, Lennox Arthur was the man calling plays for the National team but ‘Dentist’ and company failed to control things against Trinidad and Tobago at GCC Bourda.  Guyana lost that International Friendly 2-Nil.  His next outing under Arthur’s guidance was to Trinidad where Guyana also loss 3-1 in the return clash.
In his next international the ‘Dentist’ was brutal, he show no mercy to the boys from New Delhi as Guyana won that encounter three Nil. Western had six members on that National team; Captain Gordon Braithwaite, Rupert Gordon, Trevor Maxwell, Leonard Williams, Gerald Williams and Julian Moe.
After the India triumph ‘Dentist’ next international was a One Nil World Cup Qualifier loss to Suriname in Paramaribo.  He was ruthless in the return fixture which they drew one all at GCC Bourda.  His International campaign in 1984 concluded with two one all draws against Suriname at GCC.
The following year 1985, ‘Dentist’ roughed up Castro’s men.  His work alongside Skipper Brathwaite, Aubrey Hudson and Marlon De Souza played an integral rote in enabling Guyana to beat Cuba for the first time in an international series.  Cuba had earlier won series in 1976, 1977, 1980.  Bouyed by his success against the Mighty Cubans the ‘Dentist’ next mission was Cayenne and again his roughness was too much for the Frenchmen, Guyana triumph One Nil in the CFU eliminator.  His next international, a one Nil loss to Suriname at Camp Ayanganna, sent Guyana packing from the CFU Championship.  Strange enough this is the ‘Dentist’ last match in Senior National Colours.  The last lime he played internationally was for Western Tigers the next year 1986 against Transvaal of Suriname.  Leonard ‘Dentist’ Williams is the father of former Guyana under-15 Cricket Captain Shaquille Williams.
International tours:
1974     : Suriname Inter Guiana Game Series
1980    : Grenada World Cup Qualifier
1980    : Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1980    : Trinidad International Friendly
1983    : Barbados C.F.U Championship
1983    : Trinidad Goodwill Tour
1984    : Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1984    : Trinidad International Friendly
1985    : French Guiana C.F.U Championship

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