Keith London former Guyana international 1987 to 1994

Oct 14, 2012 Sports

---

 

– World Cup player 1988 and 1992

 

The series featuring footballers who represented Guyana at the World Cup qualification level by Statistician Charwayne Walker continues and this week with highlight Keith London.
When St. Joseph’s Graduate Keith London made his Senior International Debut for Guyana 1987 September against Trinidad and Tobago at Camp Ayanganna, Pele FC Terrence Archer was the National Captain and ironically when the Thomas United utility stalwart played his last match in National Colours 1994 April against Suriname at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo, Suriname, Anson Austin, another academic was London’s Skipper and it seems like Austin and Archer’s influence played a massive role in London’s career on and off the field.
London emulated his skipper by Graduating from University with degrees in economics and sports administration.  Although he never wore the Captaincy Armband he represented Guyana with gusto at a time when the National Team was recovering from the Exodus of 14 members in 1987 and just like his mentor Archer, his four words to young aspiring footballers is sacrifice, perseverance, dedication and discipline.
London first outing in National Colours was 1986 June to Toronto, Canada with the Maurice Enmore coached National under-19 team for the Robbies International tournament.  After the Robbies, London was retained for the CFU eliminator against Suriname.  Guyana loss 3 Nil in Paramaribo and drew the return fixture one All at Camp Ayanganna.  That result send Maurice Enmore Boys packing from the CFU under-19 championship.
The following year 1987 after some impressive work for the then Demico League Champs, Thomas United, London was included in the National under-23 team that humbled Grenada Senior National Team one Nil at GCC Bourda.  After the Grenada series, Lennox Arthur gave London his first Senior National Cap against Trinidad and Tobago at Camp Ayanganna.  Guyana lost that friendly encounter 2-1.  His next International Assignment was to Guatemala City where Guyana lost two Olympic Qualifiers to the host 6 Nil and 3 Nil.
He, Royston Hetemiah, Phillip Carrington and Mark Pollard were omitted for the Los Angeles clash against Mexico.  After the Los Angeles Debacle, London returned to the National Team for a World Cup Qualifier which Guyana lost 4 Nil to Trinidad & Tobago at Camp Ayanganna.   He gave his heart and soul in the return fixture, Guyana lost one Nil in the Twin Island Republic.
London had no International action in 1989 so the utility Maestro had to settle for Demico League and Inter Guiana games duties.  The National Team returned to the International scene the following year 1990, London playing under the Captaincy of the late Godfrey Gibbons, suffered an ignominious 5 Nil thrashing to Suriname in Paramaribo.  Embarrassed by the beating in Paramaribo, Guyana sacked coach Fussy Madramootoo his replacement was Desmond Alfred.  Under Alfred, London and the boys fared better, they drew one All against the Netherlands Antilles and drew Nil All against Grenada, both games were contested at the world famous GCC Bourda and those encounters brought an end to Guyana 1990 Shell Cup Campaign.
The following year Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite took over as National Coach from Alfred and London and company started Guyana Shell Cup campaign with a 4 nil thrashing of Aruba at GCC Bourda.
He played the biggest game of his International Career in the next match when Guyana eliminated Suriname from the Shell Cup Finals.  London was the man assigned to key Suriname strikers and the Chemistry between him Skipper McKinnon, Michael Messiah and the late Orin Accra gave goalkeeper Phillip Carrington tremendous confidence.  Although the game ended one All Guyana advanced to the finals for the first time.
At the Shell Cup Finals in Kingston, Jamaica, London and company failed to replicate the performance against Suriname.  McKinnon’s men loss 6 Nil to host Jamaica, 4 – One to St. Lucia and three – One to Trinidad; they however won 2 Nil against the Cayman Islands.
Keith London International career continued the following year 1992 against Barbados in January under lights at GFC where Guyana succumbed 2 Nil in both encounters.  His next international match was a four Nil thrashing by the Mexico National under-23 team at GCC Bourda February 1992.  In May 1992 London featured in a 2-One World Cup Qualifier loss to Suriname at GCC Bourda.  He was superb in the return fixture which drew one All at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo.
In 1992, London also played an integral role in Shell Cup action against Suriname, Guyana lost 4 Nil, while versus French Guiana they drew one All and against Aruba, Guyana won three Nil; all these matches were contested at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo.
The following year 1993, London and company started Guyana’s Shell Cup Campaign off with a 3-One victory over the Cayman Islands at GFC, but surrendered to Puerto Rico 2 Nil in their next encounter at GCC Bourda.  Pug Wilson boys also lost 3 Nil to Barbados at the same venue and failed to reached the 1993 Shell Cup Finals.  After the 1993 Shell Cup, London was contracted by GT Cobras, Guyana first Semi Professional Team. His last outing in 1993 for Guyana was to Trinidad for a Goodwill Series.
Keith London also played professionally in Antigua.  Keith London is the ideal role model for young footballers with skill on the ball field and the educational background to go with it.
International tours:
1986    Toronto Canada Robbies
1986    Suriname C.F.U under 19 Eliminator
1987    Guatemala Olympic Qualifiers
1988    Trinidad; World Cup Qualifier
1990    Suriname: Shell Cup
1991    Jamaica:  Shell Cup Finals
1992    Suriname:  Shell Cup
1992    Suriname:  World Cup Qualifier
1993    Trinidad:  G.T Cobras
1993    St. Vincent: G.T Cobras
1993    St. Lucia:  G.T Cobras
1993    Trinidad: National Team
1994    Suriname: Shell Cup

---

---