Team-mates give monetary help to former national footballer Spence

Former national footballer and coach Tyrone “Tweety” Spence on Sunday received a sum of money from his colleagues and friends living in New York.{{more}}

Making the presentation was another former national player and national coach Adolphus “Pabits” Davis.

The gesture was spearhead by Rudy Boucher, Earl Horne, Ainsley Quinton and Davis, who mobilized other Vincentians in the New York to make contributions.

Davis said they just wanted to do something for Spence, who has done yeoman service for St Vincent and the Grenadines on the football field and in public life.

Spence represented SVG in football from 1968 to 1985, but is undergoing therapy for a movement and co-ordination disorder.

His condition is partly due to several injuries sustained during his playing days, as well as a severe blow he received to his head in 2006 from a woman with a mental history, while carrying out his lawful duties as a postal worker at the General Post Office in Kingstown.

During the handover, Spence reminisced with Davis and others about the good times while exhibiting their football talents at the club and national levels.

But Spence, who concluded his national career as player/manager in the Windward Islands football tournament in Grenada, highlighted among his many achievements his coaching of the SVG Special Olympic team to the world Special Olympics football title in Connecticut, United States.

Spence expressed gratitude to his former teammates and others who have assisted him — as he battles his situation in the same manner he warded off his opponents on the football field. (RT)