By Ron Fanfair
For the first time
since the award was
conceived three years ago,
an active player in the
Toronto
and
Caribbean
Soccer League has been
honored with the Award of
Merit.
Receiving the other Award of
Merit this years is Share’s
Publisher and President
Arnold A. Auguste. Normally
this honor is reserved for
West Indians who have
contributed significantly to
community.
At least that’s what Roy John,
current coordinator of the
TCSL had in mind when the
award was introduced. But
last Saturday at the League’s
15th annual presentation of
awards, an exception was
made when the venerable
Aldwyn McGill, captain of this
year’s league champions,
Spoilers, was aptly rewarded
for his sustained efforts on
and off the field.
“I was surprised to know I am
held in such high esteem”
McGill, who at 17 was
included in the Trinidad and
Tobago World Cup squad
that was preparing for the
1974 tournament in Germany
“This award means a lot to
me and I would like to share it
with my wife, mother, and
friends - Desmond Marcial,
Anthony Loney, and Ronald
Austin - who assisted me
during my career.”
McGill left Trinidad two weeks
after he was selected as a
member of the national team
Page 11
He has clinched the MVP award twice and
emerged as the leading goal-scorer six
times including this past season when he
scored 12 goals.
Auguste, the other Award of Merit recipient,
reiterated his and the newspaper’s
commitment to the league, and promised
continued
sponsorship.
Share
has
sponsored the league’s (Share) knockout
tournament for the past four years
He headed for Canada where he
has surmounted every challenge
which he has faced
It is only fitting that McGill was
conferred with the honor. Had it
not been for his cogency and
noted ability to lead by example,
the TCSL may have folded in the
early 80s.
The versatile McGill virtually took
the league under his wings and
assisted in guiding it to the stage
where, he said, this is one of the
best, in terms of the high
standard of soccer exhibited by
the 10 teams.
He also played a major part in the
name change of the league from
Street
Guys
to
Toronto
Caribbean. The Bell Canada
Technician and father of three
has been a winner ever since he
entered the league in the
mid-seventies.
Aldwyn “Midget” McGill with mom Iona better known as Sister “Mugs”