An accolade to Compton Julian – “The Weaver Of Dreams”

Mar 15, 2015 Sports

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By Mike Baptiste
Had we frozen Compton Julian in a camera frame while he was at the top of his skills,

the secrets of his success as a footballer would have been there for posterity. Suffice it to say that it was his skill, guile, ball-control, immense determination and a talent for spotting weaknesses in the opposing defence that made this man perhaps the most outstanding footballer in British Guiana (Guyana) during 1954-63.
“The Weaver Of Dreams” died on the 26th of February, 2015; his death went unnoticed even to most of his friends.
His last official address was the Salvation Army’s Water Street, Kingston location.
There were reports that he had spent his last days at the Independence Park (Parade Ground) in the city.
Other greats attacked the ball and passed their opponents like an avalanche, but, at inside left “The Weaver Of Dreams” as he was known, was a ‘nightmare’ to many an opposing defence with his grace, rhythm and extraordinary ball control, which he used like a master swordsman – he was poetry in motion.
Born 22 November 1931, “The Weaver Of Dreams” began his apprenticeship in Kingston, an area that in those days, produced an embarrassing wealth of footballers, and at one time had nine players in the national line-up.
According to Julian, it was this factor that drew him to the game. He started playing street football with his friends, and from there, graduated to Kings Ground – (now occupied by Pegasus Hotel).
After a while at this level, his extraordinary talent took him into the Malvern Club as a junior. However, he only represented this club in two matches before it folded and forced him to take a place on Smith’s Church team, which at the time included Glendon Gibbs, (who later excelled at cricket), and Pye Jeffrey.
After a couple of seasons with his church team, Julian by this time had developed into an average player, and on leaving school went to the YMCA, Thomas Lands, playing at the intermediate level.
That he was destined to don the national jersey quickly became obvious. From his first appearance for the YMCA, he was always in the spotlight as the forward most feared by the opposition, and made tremendous contributions to their victories with his outstanding dribbling and accurate passing.
Come 1954, Julian deservedly made his debut for British Guiana. But he had a major hurdle to clear before earning that coveted BG jersey.
His club, the YMCA had to win the intermediate championship that year and be promoted to the First Division before he could be considered for a national slot.
Fired by an enthusiasm, matched only by his quest for national colours, Julian took to the task of ensuring his team’s promotion with a passion made easier by his immense talent.
Playing alongside such legends as George Ferguson, “Squeaky” Hinds, John Hamilton and Sydney Campbell in the YMCA forward lineup, playing the then 5-3-2 system and famous for their attacking Brazilian style, the club achieved its goal.
From then onwards, ‘The Weaver Of Dreams’ was in the ascendency.
His was a dream debut. At the BGCC ground (later known at GSC) against a British Army team based in British Guiana (Guyana) at the time and after a close and exciting 60 minutes of classy football, BG won by a 1-0 margin – that scorer being George Ferguson.
From thereon, Julian was a regular member of the national team, appearing against Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Barbados, and as his immense talent demanded, was always a key figure in the national offence.
But perhaps the pinnacle of his achievement came in April 1959, when not surprisingly he was selected along with three other Guyanese for the historic three-month tour of England by a West Indies team. The others were George Green, Monty Hope and Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite.
That was after the four played so outstandingly in Trinidad at an international Quadrangular tournament involving the hosts, Jamaica, Barbados and British Guiana.
On that memorable tour, despite the West Indies suffering several crushing defeats, Julian was outstanding and caught the eyes of several knowledgeable sportswriters.
Julian, still carrying his trade-mark smile, and bright brown eyes aglow with fond memories said, “For me the tour of England was the highest point of my career, although I felt at the time we played too much football during the three months.”
He went on, “I also recall after the W.I. had lost to an English Under-23 side 17-4, the words of John Arlott, the renowned cricket commentator, were, “Compton you played well and so did your teammates, don’t worry, the West Indies cricketers do the same to us.”
After this tour, Julian continued to perform outstandingly for his team – now Thomas United, which was made up mainly of the same players that represented the YMCA, and the Softshoe team Continental, both of which he was a founder member.
Asked about the best forward line he played in, Julian, without hesitation said, “It must be Louis ‘Water Boat’ Weithers, George Ferguson, Newton Mingo and ‘Buller’ Moses”.
Commenting on the game as it is today, the former national pointed out, “The system today makes it much harder to score goals. In my time we played the 5-3-2 and perhaps it would have been easier to score.”
Julian’s last game in national colours was November 1963 against Rio Negro team from Brazil, and was among the top scorers.
Finally, Julian mirrored his thoughts, “If I had to live my life again, and get involved in any sport, it certainly would be football.”

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