Bunbury to arrive today for two-week tour

Guyana-born Alex Bunbury will arrive on local shores today to commence a two-week tour in an attempt to establish the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA).

The 14-day tour will be highlighted by several youth clinics, visits to potential ABSAA sites, workshops and meetings with Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Government officials.

The other members of the visiting contingent are Sam Bunbury, Stan Harmon, Alicia Nichols, James Paul, Tim Baker, Les Logsdon and Paul Bowen.

Born in Plaisance Guyana, Bunbury, a Canadian hall of Famer, started his professional career with the Hamilton Steelers. He would also go on to have spells with Toronto Blizzard and Montreal Supra in the Canadian Soccer League.

Following a brief stint for West Ham United, Bunbury moved to Portugal and downed the colours of C.S. Marítimo. This proved to be a successful move for Bunbury as he went on to become the club’s all times leading scorer with 59 conversions, making over 165 appearances in the process

In his second season with the club, he was awarded the Foreign Player of the Year award. In his final year in Portugal, Bunbury recorded a career best 15 goals to help his team finish in the 10th position in the 1998-1999 season.

Upon the conclusion of his campaign in Portugal, Bunbury moved to Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer where he spent two seasons before hanging up his cleats.

Subsequently, he moved into the coaching realm, with his first job being at the helm of Bangu FC following by the Minnesota Thunder Academy.

Internationally, Bunbury represented his adopted nation at the u-20 and senior level, securing nine caps at the junior level while netting three times. On the senior side, he made 65 appearances and recorded 16 goals during 11 years.

Bunbury was eventually inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in April 2006. Similarly in 2012, as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial celebration, he was named to the all-time Canada XI men’s team.