Football community recalls ‘Kab’ Layne

The local football community came out to remember Kenville ‘Kab’ Layne with a benefit match hosted by the Barbados Football Association (BFA) and National Sports Council (NSC) at the Wildey Artificial Turf on Thursday evening.

Layne, a dedicated servant of football for over 30 years, was celebrated by Paradise Club players and officials, NSC coaches, BFA administrators, family, and friends, all of whom came out to show their appreciation for the significant impact he made on their lives and football careers.

As the words to the famous song “People Like You” by legendary Jamaican reggae artist Gramps Morgan played over the sound system at the BFA headquarters in Wildey, players and officials took to the field, led by a group of youth players carrying photo banners of Layne.

Layne’s widow, Barbara Layne (better known as Charmaine) and daughter, Tia attended the match, and received words of encouragement from Neil Murrell, Director of Sports at the NSC. Reflecting on Layne’s impact during his tenure at the NSC, where he coached football, Murrell acknowledged the deep sense of loss felt by the community but expressed gratitude for Layne’s time with them.

“First of all, I want to thank all of you for coming out. Kenville would have had an impact on all of your lives, so thank you for coming out. I have to say tonight that it is very emotional for me.

“I came to the National Sports Council in September of 1999 and Kenville came in January of 1999, so we spent almost the same amount of time together,” Murrell explained.

“I am happy to see all of you, from his former workmates, current workmates, his team, supporters, Dover Paradise, former players who coached with him.

“It is a hard loss for all of us but we must go on. We thank God for his life, we thank God for the impact he has made on all of us and we would just want to give you a token of appreciation on behalf of the staff and board of the National Sports Council,” he further expressed.

Several notable names turned up to play on both teams. Paradise Club, led by Captain Armando Lashley, won 2-0 over the Kenville ‘Kab’ Layne XI, captained by Andre Applewhaite.

Lashley started off proceedings with an early goal. Shanice Stevenson, with an assist from Acacia Small, scored late in the second half.

(AS)