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Allan Fitzpatrick Joseph

Allan Joseph NicknameCaracas
PositionMidfielder
Height
Date of Birth July 21st, 1917 , died November 20th, 2008 (aged 91)
Place of Birth Trinidad & Tobago
Debut
Caps/Goals2    ( 0 goals)
Last ClubMaple (1948-1955)
Previous ClubsCentro Atlético (1946-1948), Maple (1937-1946), Everton-1936)
SchoolsNelson Street R.C.


This versatile sportsman represented Nelson Street R.C. School at both cricket and football but it was at football that he was first and last heard. He played for Everton in the Senior League as an inside forward and gained acclaim as the club's leading goal scorer, representing T.A.S.L. in inter-league matches. He left that famous club after 1936. He joined Maple S.C. in 1937, made the inner right position his own and stayed with the club until 1946, when he accepted an invitation to play professional football in Caracas. In 1940 he played a great part in helping the team to win the F.A. Trophy. Four years later when the triangular tournament was staged in Trinidad he played for his club against Barbados and was one of the goal scorers in a 3-2 victory. That year he played mainly at centre forward and scored two goals for T.A.F.A. v. N.A.F.L.

When he left for Caracas, together with "Nattie" Sealy, to take up his appointment with Centro Atletico, he was a brilliant header, a clever dribbler, trapped the ball with comparative ease and had a powerful shot. Two years later when he returned, he had improved on these skills with purposeful results as he converted to centre-half and patrolled the mid field with a calm resolve. Selected in his newfound position in an inter-leaguer, he settled into the scheme of things to become the pivot man of the Family XI and until he retired in 1954, his position was never challenged. He brought new dimensions into trapping, whether using his head, chest or thigh after which the cry "Caracas" would go up from the spectators. He was captain of Maple from 1948/55 inclusive during which period the club won all the major trophies in football and were league champions for four consecutive years, 1950/53.

At the end of that wonderful run his club presented him with the Maple Leaf of gold for his contribution to the sport. Meanwhile, he had been visiting places like Haiti (1949), Guadeloupe (1951), British Guiana (1951) and Puerto Rico (1952). He also represented the Caribbean Football Federation, the equivalent of the West Indies Cricket team, in Jamaica, 1952. As was the case with most of his colleagues, the tour of the United Kingdom was his crowning glory and he played in 9 of the 12 matches undertaken on the tour. Before retirement he decided to put something back into the sport. He was honorary football coach to St. Mary's College from 1948/54. After retirement he served in the same capacity with Fatima College in 1955 and 1956 and the Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict from 1957-1964. He was then living in the East and held an executive position in the Eastern arm of the Athletic Association.

Allan had a short career as a teacher and played cricket for Victoria, a club that attracted several members of that fraternity. He went to Barbados in 1939 as a member of Clifford Roach's team. He played for Maple as a middle order bats man and fancied the front foot shots. He was invited to cricket trials on at least two occasions. He represented his club in other branches of sport too, like lawn and table tennis and billiards. Known as "Slim" in his playing days he has maintained his trimness. The man, who found time to dabble in the various sporting disciplines usually with success, even turned his hand to politics once.
(T&T Sports Hall of Fame bio)



Honors for Allan
  • Trinidad & Tobago's Sports Hall of Fame in 1985

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Allan Joseph to be laid to rest todayNov 26th, 2008