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Considered probably the greatest footballer ever to have graced a football field in the red, white and black of T&T, midfielder Leroy De Leon played his last match on earth Tuesday, sending the entire local football fraternity in mourning.
He would have turned 77 years old on February 7.
Upon his passing, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley immediately took to his Facebook page to issue a comment, saying, “One of the best who ever graced a football field wearing the national colours. He excelled at the beautiful game and left us with some enduring memories. We hope that Mahaica and Pt Fortin will treasure his legacy and continue to produce more sons like Leroy. Today the nation mourns with you. May he rest in peace.”
It was one of many adoring messages to have been blurted out, following an era that lifted the sport at home and abroad.
Former national coach and teammate Everlad “Gally’ Cummings said, “He was exceptional, he had a way he did things and it was completely different to other people and you know sometimes people might see you do something and they can’t do it or have a problem. This wasn’t him, he did some amazing things on the football field, he was such a nice player, I mean he was such a nice player and skilful player. Sometimes, when you see him play, you couldn’t believe it.”
The T&T Football Association, in a release, said, “De Leon was not only a footballer of extraordinary skill and vision but also an ambassador for the sport, inspiring generations of players with his talent, determination, and love for the game. As one of the most gifted players of his era, he brought pride to our nation, representing T&T with grace and excellence on the international stage.
“Beyond his contributions on the field, Leroy De Leon will be remembered for his role in elevating the profile of football in T&T and the Caribbean. He was a trailblazer whose passion ignited dreams in young athletes and left an indelible mark on the sport’s development in the region,” the release stated further.
De Leon graduated from St Benedict’s College where he was part of a famous team that included players such as Warren Archibald, Steve David, Wilfred Cave and Jan Steadman in the Colleges League, now the Secondary Schools Football League, that won trophies in abundance including titles for the National CFL championship/National Intercol double in 1967, along with five, consecutive South Zone Intercol titles from 1964 to 1968.
Expectedly, he was named the greatest SSFL player from the first 50 years in 2016. De Leon was later inducted into the T&T’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and was also named to the North American Soccer League’s First Team in 1970.
In 1967, De Leon signed with the New York Generals of the National Professional Soccer League. In 1968, the NPSL merged with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League (NASL). In 1969, De Leon moved to the Washington Darts, then to the American Soccer League. He was a 1970 First Team All-Star in the NASL.
Following the 1971 season, the Darts moved to Miami, Florida, and became the Miami Gatos. De Leon did not play in the NASL in 1972. In May 1974, Miami (now renamed the Toros) traded De Leon to the Washington Diplomats for cash and the Diplomats 1974 first round draft choice. In April 1977, the Diplomats traded De Leon to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Mark Liveric.
He finished his NASL career in 1979 with the Seattle Sounders. In the fall of 1979, De Leon moved to the Detroit Lightning of the Major Indoor Soccer League. The Lightning traded him to the Phoenix Inferno where he retired after three seasons.
He also played at the international level for Trinidad and Tobago.
De Leon, who made his national team debut at the age of 16, is reported to have 17 official caps for T&T at senior level.
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