Carlton Ethelbert Franco
|
Nickname | The General |
| Position | Forward | |
| Height | 6′ 0″ (1.83 m) | |
| Date of Birth | November 23rd, 1936 (age 87) | |
| Place of Birth | St. James, Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Debut | ||
| Caps/Goals | 8 ( 2 goals) | |
| Last Club | Columbus Carlings (1964) | |
| Previous Clubs | Malvern (1957-1963) | |
| Schools | Progressive Educational Institute, St. Crispin's E.C. |
In a football team that paraded several high quality players and personalities, Carlton 'General' Franco stood tall in every way during his short but brilliant career in Trinidad and Tobago.
A product of the Progressive Educational Institute Programme of the 1950's, Franco graduated from St. Crispin's Primary School, Woodbrook, to Progressive in 1952 and at once displayed football skills above the ordinary.
The 16 year old was in the Progressive second division team in his first year with the school and moved into the first eleven the following year. So impressive were his performances as a goal scoring forward, his career, even at that stage, was followed with great interest by football fans of the Northern Amateur Football Association (NAFL). Football authorities in the league were aware of his class and at 18 he represented NAFL in the Hayward Shield Competition in 1954. Franco was soon playing for North in the annual Red Cross Cup classic and became a fixture in the side each season. He also made his debut for Trinidad after joining the famous Malvern side in 1957.
It was a great surprise to the football fraternity when Franco was not included in the Caribbean team that visited England in 1959 but he put all that behind him and became captain of Malvern in 1960. It was an inspired appointment by the club as Franco led them to the FA Trophy championship in 1960 and 1961 and the BDV Cup championship in 1960 and 1962. Leaving Trinidad for Canada in 1963, Franco joined the professional league in that country and continued to play pro football for several years. A big man with a powerful shot in both feet, Franco perfected the backward centre-forward position for Malvern and always led from in front. He had superb skills and was a cool, relaxed striker feared by every opposing defence. He has returned to Trinidad and Tobago on many occasions, at first to play a bit of football and in recent times to rekindle the time he has had with his football colleagues and friends through the football fraternity.
(T&T Sports Hall of Fame bio)
A product of the Progressive Educational Institute Programme of the 1950's, Franco graduated from St. Crispin's Primary School, Woodbrook, to Progressive in 1952 and at once displayed football skills above the ordinary.
The 16 year old was in the Progressive second division team in his first year with the school and moved into the first eleven the following year. So impressive were his performances as a goal scoring forward, his career, even at that stage, was followed with great interest by football fans of the Northern Amateur Football Association (NAFL). Football authorities in the league were aware of his class and at 18 he represented NAFL in the Hayward Shield Competition in 1954. Franco was soon playing for North in the annual Red Cross Cup classic and became a fixture in the side each season. He also made his debut for Trinidad after joining the famous Malvern side in 1957.
It was a great surprise to the football fraternity when Franco was not included in the Caribbean team that visited England in 1959 but he put all that behind him and became captain of Malvern in 1960. It was an inspired appointment by the club as Franco led them to the FA Trophy championship in 1960 and 1961 and the BDV Cup championship in 1960 and 1962. Leaving Trinidad for Canada in 1963, Franco joined the professional league in that country and continued to play pro football for several years. A big man with a powerful shot in both feet, Franco perfected the backward centre-forward position for Malvern and always led from in front. He had superb skills and was a cool, relaxed striker feared by every opposing defence. He has returned to Trinidad and Tobago on many occasions, at first to play a bit of football and in recent times to rekindle the time he has had with his football colleagues and friends through the football fraternity.
(T&T Sports Hall of Fame bio)
| Honors for Carlton |
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