TAXI MEN OVERPOWER POLICE IN FOOTBALL
ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary; Feb 3, 2025
You don’t often hear police and taximen working toward the same goal. Or, trying to score a goal against the other side.
You certainly don’t often see them together – police and taxi operators — on the same football field in a match, one side against the other.
But that was the context of the match at Westmoreland Oval, Annotto Bay, St Mary on Sunday, February 2. St Mary Police versus Taxi Men.
The final score was 4-2 but, both sides have been telling the North Coast Times, there were no losers.
(Taxi Men — they ‘handcuffed ‘the police team to win on penalties)
The taxi men won the match but both sides won the hearts of residents of the area who came out. To many, it was a good game of football. Neither side scored in regulation time, and the match went to penalties with the taxi men handcuffing the police and won 4-2 on penalties
POLICE BEATEN
The captain of the police team Corporal Kevon Miller said he was delighted with the event even though his team lost. He said he was thrilled to observe that hundreds turned out to watch the match and even though there was a drizzle before the start, spectators didn’t go away. They took shelter and waited on play.
(The Police team….They couldn’t make it on the day)
Cpl Miller said at the end of the game taxi men were asking when is the next leg. The same question was being asked by residents from the different communities.
Captain of the Taxi Men’s team Craig Leighton was still rejoicing Monday afternoon at the results. He was happy with the win and the fact that a step had been made to bring the police and citizens together. “We want to do the same in other communities…bring back the vibes,” Leighton said.
(Acting Superintendent Anthony Wallace in gear for his try in the game that was his idea)
READY FOR NEXT GAME
Leighton used to play for one of St Mary’s best teams, Axum FC and said when Cpl Miller approached him with the idea for the game it was an easy pick. He said he chose men mainly from Annotto Bay but some worked the Annotto Bay to Portland route. “It was a good thing for the community. It brings people out and makes bonding together [possible]” the Taxi Men’s captain said.
The Police team was chosen from across St Mary division and included one member of the JDF who plays for the Police St Mary Major League team, and two civilians who also play on the team
(Craig Leighton back in the day. Brought that experience and skill to match again the police)
Acting Superintendent Anthony Wallace, who donned shorts and boots for the Police team told the North Coast Times, “This spirited match was more than just a game; it was an extension of the PREVENT — Partnership for Reconciliation, Engagement, and Violence Elimination Now and Tomorrow – Initiative, an ongoing effort to restore peace and strengthen community bonds within the Annotto Bay Police area and its surroundings.”
Police have been trying to stem gang violence in the Enfield area of Annotto Bay where a curfew of between 48 hours and 96 hours has been imposed three times since last November. Other parts of St Mary have also been subjected to curfews and police operations.
For the match itself, said Assistant Superintendent Wallace, “The real victory was the sense of togetherness and goodwill fostered through the event.”
