Football Association Announce 2022 Legends
The Bermuda Football Association [BFA] has announced the 2022 BFA Legends for the Legends Scholarship Programme.
A spokesperson said, “The five Legends honored this year are as follows:
“Clyde “Tango” Burgess began his goalkeeper career at the young age of 12 in 1957 at West End School. Burgess joined Sandy’s Secondary B Team and later became the goalkeeper for Somerset Colts second team in 1960. Burgess’ first senior football came at the age of 17 with West End Rovers. After a successful run, Burgess joined the Bermuda Police Force and played for two seasons.
“During this time, they ended YMSC’s three-year undefeated run. In 1966, Burgess joined Somerset Cricket Club [SCC] and in 1967 won the Triple Crown. That same year, Burgess made his first international cap for Bermuda against the USA which ended in a draw. Burgess continues enjoy the sport today and is an avid West Ham fan.
“Larry Smith has had a good football career both as a player and a coach. Smith played and coached Devonshire Colts FC for 15 years until a leg break in May of ’76 in a friendly international match between Bermuda and Burnley FC. Smith played at the international level up until this point.
“Smith successfully coached the North Village Community Club to the Triple Crown in the 77/78 season. He also coached Somerset Cricket Club to a double cup winning season in 86/87 [League and Martonmere Cup]. Smith coached at Greater Osceola United FC in Orlando Fl, from 2006-2012 and successfully led the Osceola U17s to a Championship Final. Smith was in the coaching staff in the 70s for the U14 Bermuda Team.
“He is currently the Vice President of the Bermuda Football Coaches Association and also Coaching Director of Football at SCC.
“Nicole Jones started her football career at Young Men’s Social Club [YMSC] age of 12 and moved to BAA at the age of 14. She played in the Women’s League for Telcom in 1988 in which she won the 1st MVP award. She then played for the Bermuda Police Department and went on to win to FA Cup. From 1997 to 1999, Jones played at St. Thomas University in Miami Florida.
“During that time, she won Defensive Player of the Year three years straight. She also won the Coaches Player Award. She was the captain on the Bermuda Women’s National Team in 2000. From 2000 to 2003 Jones played semi-professional football for Miami Gliders and then Tampa Bay Extreme.
“From an early age, Pamela “Bootsie” Pace was drawn to toward athleticism and competition. She would go around the neighborhood usually carrying a football and would always find herself playing football. She was occasionally asked to suit up for St. David’s CC PeeWee team when she was 8.
“While at Whitney Institute she was the only girl who would play football with the boys. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for Pace to play in high school. She joined the Boys Junior League on the American Naval Base and participated in seven-a-side matches at the Youth Centre. Bootsie was considered a pioneer in the Eastern Soccer League when she – as a 13- year-old female – debuted for HHC’s all-male junior soccer team.
“During the early 1980s, staff at local hotels had put together all-female soccer teams and would put on Thursday night games at the BAA field under the lights. Bootsie was recruited to play for Holiday Inn Hotel. After a short period, those hotel staff games faded out, and Bootsie was invited to play for HHC’s senior soccer team.
“Once the Women’s League in Bermuda started again, Bootsie, and her sister Damita [Pace] Evans as the goalkeeper, played for Herbie’s Angels, a team named after its coach Herbie Bascome from St. David’s. In the team’s first Friday night outing against Cedar Park, Bootsie netted five goals in the 6-1 victory. Bootsie is very honored to have been a trail-blazer – however short-lived – due to A hit-and-run accident left her with life-altering injuries.
“Marcus Douglas’ football career started at Howard Academy in high school. He started league football in the early 60s when he played junior and then senior football for Hamilton Parish Workmen’s Club [HPWC] in the First Division. Douglas was asked to join Devonshire Colts in 1967 and replied that he would upon their promotion. Colts were promoted and Douglas joined the side and played his favorite position [centre half] for them as he was a striker for HPWC.
“Douglas moved to Delaware, USA and would play for Delaware Wings for two seasons in the early 70s. He returned to Delaware to coach for three seasons. Douglas played international football for Bermuda and was part of the famous team that won a Silver medal of the Pan Am Games in 1967. Before he retired in 1983, Douglas coached both HPWC then Devonshire Colts, each for two seasons.
“The BFA will be accepting Legends Scholarship applications until the application window closes on June 30, 2022. All applications must be emailed to bfa@bermudafootball.com. For more information on the 2022 Legends and application documents, visit bermudafa.com/legends.”
