BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRESIDENT of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA), Anthony Johnson has paid tribute to the late Horace Burrell, former President of the Jamaica Football Federation and former Vice President of CONCACAF.
The 67-year-old Burrell died early last week and tributes have been pouring in from across the Caribbean Football Union, sub-region and the wider Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF).
Johnson, according to a release, sent condolences to the family of Burrell, whom he described as instrumental in creating the powerhouse of regional football - the Reggae Boyz.
He noted that Burrell was “an outstanding leader of the Jamaica Football Federation and a very important player in Caribbean CONCACAF football. He will be missed”.
In his message to the JFF, Johnson said: “I extend on behalf of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association our deepest condolences to the immediate family and the entire football fraternity of Jamaica, and indeed, of the entire Caribbean and CONCACAF region, on the passing of the late Captain Horace Burrell.”
Speaking to his personal knowledge of the Captain, President Johnson indicated that he was “someone whom I considered to be a very good friend, and someone I looked up to as one of the outstanding leaders in Caribbean football. He provided guidance throughout his time, and in my time over the last eight years as President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association”.
Burrell died while being treated for cancer at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Treatment Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Asked about what could be Burrell’s most lasting legacy, Johnson stated, “One can look at Jamaica making it to the World Cup Finals in 1998 and the Reggae Boyz making a huge name for themselves. I believe that is a lasting legacy of the leadership that was displayed by Captain Burrell during that period.”
He leaves to mourn his wife Lourea Simpson and three children, Tiphani, Romario and Jaeden Burrell.
Johnson said the contributions that Burrell had given to regional football would be sadly missed.
