Seaforth SC in mourning
THE SEAFORTH Sports Club in St Thomas is still in mourning following the death of its captain and goalkeeper, 27-year-old O’Brian Cruickshank of Navar Lane in the community.
Cruikshank, who had served the club as team captain for over a decade, was shot and killed in his home early last Friday morning.
The dedicated and humble ‘baller’, as he is described by his associates, recently led the team to victory in the midseason final and St Thomas Major League.
The win secured their spot in the finals of the Eastern Confederation Super Cup, where they lost to Priory Academic (formerly Volvo Football Club) of St Ann.
This, according to the coach of the Seaforth Sports Club Lansdale Parry, is the furthest the team has gone in years.
“We lost 2-0 to Volvo, and that really disappointed ‘Obby’ because he’s a person who really loves to win. But he was very grateful to have reached that far.
“To be honest, I’ve never seen him in an argument or anything like that. In fact, he was the prayer warrior of the team. Obby prayed before and after every match and even during training,” Parry noted adding that all he spoke about was church and football.
The coach told The Gleaner that Cruickshank served not only as a team captain or player but was also a motivator that each member will miss.
“The team suffered a great loss. Obby catered to the spiritual aspect of the person. The mood in the camp right now is not so wonderful.”
A grief-stricken Kevin Strachan, who serves as manager of the team, fought through tears to speak of his lost member and friend, who he also described as a “very prayerful person”.
“Obby has been an example to the other team members. They respected him so much. This is very hard for me because we shared a brotherly love. All of these guys are like sons to me.
“It’s a big loss for not only the team but also to the community,” he said.