The local football fraternity has gone into a state of mourning following the death of former national youth captain Jamaine Alleyne, 27, who died last Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital following a brief illness.

Alleyne, who was also called ‘Turtle’ by his peers, played for Santos Football Club where he was the captain from the tender age of 11, and playing at midfield he was adjudged to be the best in that position in 2001. He also represented Guyana at the Under-16, 18, 20, 23 and senior levels and had the distinct opportunity of leading the Under-20 side.

When Stabroek Sport visited his Laing Avenue residence where he resided with his mom Aileen Adams and brother Troy Alleyne, a sombre mood was evident.

Jamaine Alleyne

“Jamaine was a pleasant and mannerly son any mother would love to have. He was so good and always willing to go that extra mile when asked even when it was approaching the hour for him to go and practice,” a grieving Adams stated.

She added jokingly, “I would say that there were two things he loved the most. Soccer, which was am important part in his life and his belly. He always loved to know that when he returns home from training or even work at times, there is food in the pot.”
“There were times when his brother Troy would question him on whether he would ever take off his hat after his shoes before he goes looking into the pot for food when he gets in from work,” Adams related.

She said further that her once eldest son would never shirk from doing any chores asked of him even if it was approaching the hour for his departure to go and practice, especially if it was going to the market to get items to prepare the day’s dinner.

Prior to his death, Alleyne who was born on the 23rd January 1981, was a midfield player with envious skills and was given the name ‘Turtle’ due to his slow pace during games, and his friends said that he had two paces, ‘dead slow and stop”.

He also worked at Ansa Mc Al Trading and lost his father a few months ago after a prolonged battle with his heart, but he was unable to attend the funeral due to his own illness.

His sibling Troy who is a self-employed barber told Stabroek Sport that his brother loved to listen to reggae and culture music and was a peaceful young man in the neighborhood.

“Jamaine would be in here listening to music, and unless someone comes and ask for him or it is near time for him to train, one would not know that he was home. He loved to listen to culture and reggae music, saying how much it would set his mind for practice or a game and when there are sports on the television, he would not move unless he has to leave to train or play a game.”

“Prior to his death, he was sitting right here with mommy looking at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing before he took in and died on arrival at the PHG. He was the brother I would pay anything to bring back to life if ever such was a possibility. He was looked up to in the area especially when it came to football.”

Because of his discipline, football knowledge, skill along with his reading of the game and passing abilities, he was always respected as a leader.

Some of the more illustrious names Alleyne played alongside are Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Shawn Bubbly’ Beveney, Dirk Archer, Elton Browne, Sherwin Cadogan and Orlando Gilgeous who is the present captain of Sunburst Camptown Football Club, and the late Marlon Hendricks.

He also donned the senior national uniform alongside present Golden Jaguars’ Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, Randolph ‘Blackhead’ Jerome, Howard Lowe and Kayode Mc Kinnon. He also played alongside Dellon Glen, Neville Stanton, and England-based Forbes Dean.

According to a Guyana Football Federation (GFF) press release, the football fraternity has certainly lost a champion player and the GFF also expressed their sympathy to his family and friends.

Alleyne will be laid to rest on Thursday and his body will move from the New Haven Resting Home at Cemetery Road, Castello Housing Scheme to its final resting place in Le Repentir cemetery.

Stabroek Sport takes this opportunity to express its condolences to the family, friends and members of the Santos Football Club on the death of Jamaine Alleyne.