Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles former Guyana Int. 1975 – 1978

Nov 25, 2012 Sports

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Caribbean team selectee 1978

Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his series of features on Guyana’s World Cup players; today we are pleased to feature Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles, former Guyana International 1975 – 1978 and a Caribbean selectee in 1978.
Only a few Guyanese sons could boast of emulating their father at the senior International level. Pele Football Club player Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles joined such illustrious company in 1975 when he was named in Guyana’s first World Cup Squad.
Wiler emulated his late father George Niles who wore the National jersey with pride during the 50s early 60s. Keith Niles started is apprenticeship under the watchful eyes of the legendary Lennox Arthur for Pele FC at the Under-14 and 16 levels.
He graduated to the National Under-18 team in 1973 to play against Suriname but the heroes of that historical triumph that won the Forbes Burnaham trophy were Nile’ teammates Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Vibert ‘Durdy’ Butts, Terrence Nicholls, Wendell Sandiford, Aubrey Warner, Owen King and Clive Perry.
‘Wiler’ Niles featured in Inter Guiana Games again in 1974 in Paramaribo and 1975 when the games returned to Georgetown; so it was no surprise when the name Keith Niles was included in Guyana’s First World Cup Squad in October 1975.
His first outing in senior colours was against Bare of Brazil at Camp Ayanganna. He played with more confidence in the next International series Guyana dominated against Texaco of Trinidad at the same venue.
Niles’ first senior tour was to Brazil with the World Cup Squad in January 1976. According to him {Niles}, the series that made him stronger was the four matches Guyana contested against the Mighty Cubans in May of 1976.
Although the National team lost the series 3-0, Niles had the Cuban custodian under tremendous pressure throughout the series. His 13th and 14th Internationals were against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Scottish division-one team, St. Mirren and as Niles explained, he played an integral role in the series finale Guyana won 2-0 that ended Sir Ferguson and St. Mirren’s unbeaten Caribbean run.
His 15th international is the game that he says is always talked about; July 4, 1976, Guyana’s first World Cup Qualifier against Suriname at the GCC Ground, Bourda.
As Wiler recalled, the atmosphere was electric flying with a Carnival like tempo although clubmate Vibert Butts scored the opening goal. The moment that brought the biggest celebration was when Niles eluded two Suriname defenders and sent a bullet shot past the Dutchmen’s custodian for a 2-0 Guyana victory.
Niles explained that his 16th game is the saddest of his career because Guyana lost the return fixture and was sent packing from the 1976 World Cup Qualifying campaign. The following year, 1977, Niles’s International programme started for Pele at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground against Voowarts of Suriname, Pele won 2-0 and the goal scorers were Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles and Clyde ‘Oiler’ Watson.
Pele lost the return fixture 0-3 in Paramaribo and were knocked out of the 1977 CONCACAF Club Championship. Niles then featured in three Internationals against Trinidad and Tobago; the national team won the opener 2-1 at Mackenzie Sports Club Ground and drew the second match 2-2 at GCC while losing the series finale 2-0 at GCC.
The ‘Soca Warriors’ won the series on goal difference>
Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles celebrated for the first time as a senior national player when Guyana defeated Barbados 1-0 in a three match series.
In October 1977, the Earl O’Neal led side won the first match 2-0 at Mackenzie and drew the other two 0-0 at GCC, Bourda.
Niles’ International campaign in 1977 concluded with four matches against Cuba’s Under-23 team.
The Pele’s F.C star striker’s International campaign in 1978 started with two matches for the National Under-23 against Suriname’s Under-23s; Guyana led by Trevor ‘Labba’ Barton lost both matches at GFC and Mackenzie Sports Club.
Niles then toured Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago with the Earl O’Neal led side. Nile’s next assignment was for his beloved Pele FC against Racing Club of Curacao. Pele won both matches home and in Aruba and in the process became the first Guyanese Club to pass the first round of the CONCACAF Club Championship.
Niles and Pele celebrations were short lived because Suriname’s Voowarts sent them packing in the next round. After the CONCACAF Championship, Niles featured for Guyana in two Nations Cup matches, Guyana lost to Suriname in Linden and in Paramaribo.
His 28th International was 5-0 thrashing by Chinese Provincial team Kwangtung. His next cap was for the Caribbean team that engaged Kwangtung Province at GCC. George Niles’ son 30th and final International for Guyana was a 5-0 thrashing Guyana suffered against the touring Russian Textile team, December 1978.
International tours.
1974    Suriname Inter Guiana game series
1975    Brazil with World Cup Squad
1976    Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1977    Suriname CONCACAF Club Championship
1978    Barbados and Trinidad with Senior National Team
1979    Suriname Nations Cup
1978    Aruba CONCACAF Club Championship
1978    Suriname CONCACAF Club Championship

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