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To many of his close friends and teammates on the national senior football squad, he is called “Bleeder.”


Densill Theobald, got the sobriquet “Bleeder” in the “ghetto” on Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, where he lives.

Like his pal and national colleague Kerwyn Jemmott, who hails from the same area and is better know as “Hardest,” Theobald has blossomed into one of the country’s leading midfield players.

Although he had been making waves in the T&T Professional Football League for his club Caledonia AIA/Fire, “Bleeder” has now moved a step higher and has had fans calling for him to be a starter on the national side after coming off the bench against the United States a fortnight ago in the country’s opening match in the World Cup qualifying series at Queen’s Park Oval.

Those who knew nothing of him before the Ash Wednesday were asking more about the 22-year-old player after he added some spark to the T&T attack, when introduced for 19 minutes.

“Bleeder” eventually laid-off the ball which led to the goal by Angus Eve, which gave the home team supporters and players some hope in a fiery closing to an exciting encounter.

“I knew I had to go out there and make an impact. I didn’t get into the starting team and I couldn’t just let the chance to play in a big match like this just go away.

“I have worked hard in training and I want to do something to help the team once I am on the field.

“A lot of people have been calling for me to start now, but I won’t rush into things, because maybe if I had started the last game, I may not have done too much. I’ll take it one step at a time for now.”

How he got the unusual name “Bleeder” is a question by itself?

“I got that name about 10 years ago. I had my first encounter with a girl and got so ‘tiz-zick’ that I ran home with a speed. On my way, I passed one of my best friends like a flash. He saw me ‘bleeding’ and from there on everyone called me ‘Bleeder’.

Born June 27, 1982, Densill is the son of Jasmine and Delano Theobald.

In addition to battling with all that goes on around him in the ghetto — the drugs, the crime, the killings, the kidnappings and the breakdown of family life — “Bleeder” has had to put up with the death of his mother four years ago.

At the time of her sudden death, he was playing semi-professionally for Toronto Olympians in Canada.

He came home for the funeral on February 15, 2001, and did not return to Canada.

“When she died, I was shocked. It was painful for me. She was so close to me and meant so much to me that I felt like giving up the game,” he noted.

“After taking a real hard look, I realised that I was the only one to make a difference in the family,” he added.

“While I wanted to spend more time with my dad and three brothers, my focus was also bent on playing for the national team.”

One of his brothers, Earnell is very close to him. “I call him my manager. He makes sure that my football clothes are clean and makes sure I eat on time and I get my night rest.”

Densill, who got his primary education at Nelson Street Boys’ RC before moving to Malick Senior Comprehensive where he acquired GCE passes in English and Principles of Accounts, played for Malick from Under-14 right up to the Championship Division.

“Bleeder” insisted that it hasn’t been easy for him living on Nelson Street where the ringing out of gun shots, whether day or night, has become a norm.

“Growing up in the ghetto environment as a boy was a struggle. We played football on the streets and sometimes between the plannings (buildings) with anything you could kick.

“I must say that I admire my parents. They were always strict and disciplined. We (my brothers and I) had to be inside by a certain hour and must read a book before going to sleep. They made us say our prayers before going to bed and we had to go to church on Sundays.

“I was never exposed to drugs and crime, although it was happening all around me. I was one who never wanted to live that type of life.

“From day one, I also knew what I wanted to do and be in this world.

As a 20-year-old, Densill captained Caledonia AIA in his first season, which he claimed was a “learning experience”.

The following year he left for the club of FIFA first vice-prsident Jack Warner, Joe Public but spent only one season there before rejoining Caledonia.

Asked why he did not stay at Joe Public, he said it was for “personal reasons”.

His coach at Caledonia AIA/Fire, Jamal Shabazz, believes that “Bleeder” has a bright future.

“Because of his skill and vision, I always felt that he was Pro League material and that one day he would become a player like Russell Latapy,” said Shabazz.

“I have seen him improve tremendously, especially his work-rate. He is using the ball more effectively and is becoming more mature.

“Bleeder” is being sought by clubs in the MLS (Major Soccer League) in the United States and there are a couple of people in England interested in him.

“An official of the MSL (Major Soccer League) and also people in England have been asking about him.

“I believe he now has to focus on cementing his place on the national team before he thinks about going abroad.

“Obtaining a career internationally depends on national team caps. That’s the first step and everything will fall in place,” Shabazz stated.

Theobald, who has represented both the national Under-17 and Under-23 teams, claimed that current national coach Bertille St Clair has been instrumental in getting him to work harder.

He said: “I believe that coach St Clair is the main reason for my improvement because he always pushes me to do better and work harder and maintain a consistent performance.”

“I try my best to be influencial in both attack and defence — something I don’t see many local players doing.

“I always try to fit into my schedule some individual training apart from that with Caledonia and the national team. That, I know, will make me better and help we to achieve my goals.

“I keep fit because of the extra training I do on my own, eating properly and sleeping regular.

“I will like to see myself playing professionally in England or Spain.

“But my main focus now is working hard and letting God take care of the other things in life.”

At the moment, “Bleeder” survives on the salary he gets from Caledonia AIA/Fire, sponsored by Neal and Massy Limited.