Photos/Videos: Nelson Bascome Football Game

Some of the island’s politicians joined a few of the best football players from years past on the field for today’s [Sept 15] Nelson Bascome Jr. Focus charity football match, with the Maroon Team earning a 3-0 victory.

Charlie Marshall served as referee for the game, which was held at the Devonshire Recreation Club Field as a fundraiser for Focus Counseling Service. The charity was a favorite of the late Minister Nelson Bascome.

UBP MP Kim Swan in goal, penalty taken by Devrae Noel Simmons:

With Governor George Fergusson and Premier Paula Cox in attendance, several of the island’s politicians took the field playing for both the Maroon and Blue Teams.

The Blue Team included Health Minister Zane Desilva, Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert, Public Works Minister Michael Weeks, Youth & Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney and UBP Leader Kim Swan, while the Maroon team included OBA MP Mark Pettingill and OBA candidate Andrew Simons.

Some of the best footballers from years past also took the field including Shaun Goater, Kyle Lightbourne, Walter Musson, Shawn Smith, Kenneth Dill and more.

The Blue Team’s goalkeeper Kim Swan was called upon to make several saves through the game, diving to his left to deny the Maroon Team early on in the first half. However a few minutes later, Kenneth Dill managed to find the back of the net, giving the Maroon Team a 1-0 advantage at the half time break.

Speaking during the half time break about being down 1-0, the Blue Team’s Minister DeSilva said they had a few surprises for the Maroon Team in the second half, while Minister Furbert insisted they had a “secret weapon” coming out later in the game.

Kim Swan noted it had been a long time since he had played football but said it was for a good cause, while Minister Weeks said he had come off during the first half as they were “saving him” for the second half where he would be trying to score the equalizer.

The teams came back on the field for the second half with the Blue Team trailing 1-0. However the Maroon Team produced former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater in the second half, and soon earned two more goals giving them a 3 – 0 victory over the Blue Team.

Governor George Fergusson and referee Charlie Marshall:

The game appeared to take its toll on some of the players with the pace slowing as time went on, however enthusiasm remained high with plenty of laughter both on and off the field.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy, with the Blue Team’s Kim Swan and the Maroon Team’s Devrae Noel Simmons both making some key saves. The two keepers came face to face at one point, with Noel Simmons called on to take a penalty for the Maroon team, however he sent it wide.

OBA MP Mark Pettingill shaking hands with Jay Donawa:

After the game, Minister Zane DeSilva said: “It was tons of fun, was a pleasure and honour to play in Nelson’s first tournament and to support Focus – his most treasured Charity.

“If Nelson was looking down on us today, I’m sure he had a good laugh at the old boys trying to turn back the hands of time! Congrats to the entire Focus team.”

Also speaking after the game, Mr Swan said: “Today was great day to remember the life and contribution of Nelson Bascome – he loved served the community through Focus Counseling and he enjoyed football.

MP Kim Swan dives for the ball while Shaun Goater looks on:

“In another life in the early 70′s I was a goalkeeper [Berkeley, Warwick Secondary & Somerset Eagles] before I devoted my life to becoming a professional golfer.

“I love football,” continued Mr Swan. “Chelsea FC is my team and Peter Bonetti was the Chelsea Goalkeeper that I dreamed of replacing – ironically I ended up as a Professional Athlete on the PGA European Tour.

“Today was great and the players on both team worked hard and you saw some quality plays albeit in slow motion because our ages.”

Click to enlarge photos:

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