Football legend Grel passes on

Local football icon Keith “Grel” Griffith has played to the full-time whistle on earth and will now kick on in peace up above.

The former Barbados national player, arguably one of the greatest coaches the island has ever seen, passed away on Monday at the age of 80.

Griffith served as head coach of the Barbados senior men’s national team first in 1994 and then during a six-year stint from 2002-2008.

He was also the technical director in Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, the United States Virgin Islands, and Cayman Islands after hanging up his boots.

In 1994 he led the Barbados men’s team to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Shell Cup final, a feat he repeated a year later with Antigua & Barbuda. He also did a stint as technical director with Joe Public in the Trinidad & Tobago Professional League.

President of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Randy Harris said Griffith’s contribution to football on the island is incredible.

“Keith did a lot going around the island developing clubs and players and I think that what stands out that I remember him for is spreading the football in communities and helping out in the different parishes. He was phenomenal in football in Barbados and people will remember him for a very long time,” stated Harris.

Long-standing friend and former coach Frank Gill also paid tribute.

“What I admire most about Keith is that there was no height that he thought he could not attain and he worked towards his goals very hard,” shared Gill. “He brought a flair about football commentary that was unique. He was very passionate about the game and he excelled.”

Following his playing and coaching days, Griffith became a familiar voice on radio and face on television, as an analyst on the FIFA World Cup with former CBC sports anchor Andi Thornhill and commentator for the BFA Premier League and knockout competitions over the past few seasons.

Griffith’s final commentary gig was on November 30th last year during the finals of the Prime Minister’s Cup at the historic Kensington Oval where he was joined by television broadcasters Trevor Throne, Anmar Goodridge-Boyce, and Damien Best.

(BT)