thebahamasweekly.com - Leroy Archer receives BFA Order of Merit

Sports
Leroy Archer receives BFA Order of Merit
By Lionel Haven, BFA
Jan 2, 2009 - 5:03:50 PM

BFA Order of Merit Recipient Leroy Archer accepting his award. Photo: Tim Aylen

Nassau, The Bahamas - Continuing in their efforts to recognize the contributions of persons in the past to the development of the sport of football in the Bahamas, the Bahamas Football Association presented Leroy “Uncle Lee” Archer with the BFA Order of Merit award at half-time of the President’s Cup match on New Years Day 2009.

Mr. Archer played his football in the Bahamas in the 40’s and 50’s and 60’s, starting out with the St. George’s Soccer Club before becoming a founding member of the Dynamos Football Club. He served as captain of the Dynamos team from the time the club started until his retirement from playing. His involvement did not stop there as he continued to referee in the senior league and coach at youth level, teaching the sport to his charges at the Boys Industrial School. Mr. Archer also represented the Bahamas in one of the country’s fist forays into international soccer, when a team managed by former Governor General of the Bahamas Sir Gerald Cash, travelled to Miami, Florida in 1957 to take part in a friendly international match against the Coral Gables Soccer Club. The team also included former BFA President Roscow Davies, William Lowe, Irrington Isaacs and others.

BFA General Secretary Lionel Haven congratulates Leroy Archer on his award. In the background is BFA President Anton Sealey and Executive Vice President Fred Lunn. Photo: Tim Aylen

In making the presentation, BFA Vice President Sam Haven spoke of Mr. Archer’s exquisite technical ability on the field of play, stating that his “special skill was in taking on players one on one, and many that saw him play spoke of this ability and marveled that the only way one could take the ball from his was to foul him.” He suggested that having been fortunate enough to have played with him, he agreed with many that Mr. Archer was one of the best of all time to have played the game here in the Bahamas, and presented him with the BFA’s Order of Merit Award. In accepting the award, Mr. Archer thanked the Bahamas Football Association for honoring him, and said that he was pleased to have played and been involved in the sport of football. Still looking trim, when asked if he still had what it takes, Mr. Archer said that if he had some shorts, he would have gladly entered the field in the Master’s versus Youth All Star match.

Fred Lunn, Executive Vice President BFA; Lionel Haven, General Secretary BFA; Leroy Archer, BFA Order of Merit Recipient; Sam Haven, Vice President, BFA. Photo: Tim Aylen

The BFA also extended their honor of Mr. Archer by naming the trophy to be presented to the winners of the President’s Cup match in honor of Mr. Archer, and after the conclusion of the match, invited the honoree to present the award to the winning team. Mr. Archer was supported at this event by a large contingent of his family members as well as long-time friends Harcourt “Rip” Rolle and Paul Thompson.