SVGFF saddened by football stalwart’s passing

President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) Venold Coombs has expressed sadness at the passing of stalwart defender Tyrone “Tweety” Spence.

The former national footballer died on Sunday after a period of illness.{{more}}

Coombs referred to Spence as a “good friend of football,” stating that his organization will be ready to assist, if called upon.

The local football boss expressed condolences to Spence’s immediate family on behalf of his executive and the St Vincent and the Grenadines football fraternity.

Spence, who was known as a mean defender, represented St Vincent and the Grenadines from 1968 to 1985, ending as player/manager in the Windward Islands Tournament in Grenada.

He was part of the potent national teams of 1979 and 1981, which finished second on both occasions in the finals of the Caribbean Cup in Suriname and Puerto Rico, respectively.

A shining light in the Roseans Club of the 1980’s, Spence, following his active playing days, shifted his contribution to coaching.

He was the coach of an inter secondary schools team in the mid 1980’s, several of whose members made it on to the senior national team, years later.

But among Spence’s major achievements was his successful coaching of the SVG Special Olympics football team to the world title in Connecticut, USA in 1995.

In the latter part of his life, however, Spence suffered from a movement and co-ordination disorder.

It is believed his condition was partly caused by a blow to the head, which he suffered in 2006 from a woman with a mental history, while carrying out his duties as a postal worker.(RT)