This Guy’s high on football

Whenever you hear the name Guy Lowe, most likely, the average Vincentian and perhaps beyond these shores will associate him with football. And you wouldn’t be wrong.

Guy Lowe was born in Rose Place, affectionately known as ‘Gulf.’ Lowe is a symbol of this country’s emerging maturity. When St. Vincent and the Grenadines shocked the football world in the first organised Caribbean Football Union tournament in 1979, Lowe was a major part of the plot. {{more}}

Guy Lowe was Most Valuable Player in the championship played in Suriname on the South American continent.

If you find that this country has something of a reputation in football, that platform was built on in 1979.

SVG placed second to Haiti going down 1: 3. Guy Lowe reflects on that championship with pride and nostalgia.

His four goals were the most in the play off:

Two came in a 3:2 win over Suriname, one in a 2:1 win over Trinidad and Tobago and the other in the loss to Haiti.

Guy broke into the spotlight in 1970, and grafted his way onto the national squad that year. He learnt his football on the street of Bottom Town, and developed naturally.

He is pleased with his role in this country’s sporting evolution. For him, the 1979 team was one of immense talent and skills, well rounded, fit and disciplined.

He paid high respect to trainer Rudolph ‘Ounce ah Beef’ Mayers. As far as Lowe recalled, Mayers was “the best trainer we ever see.”

A Karate fanatic, Mayers imposed his level of fitness and discipline on the squad and pushed the players through some rigorous chores.

Lowe recalled doing intensive exercises on the beach at Bottom Town, and players having to run up ‘Nine Steps’ with another colleague on their backs.

“They had fellas with ball skills from goalie right up. It was balanced right round,” Lowe said.

Vincentians remember Guy Lowe for his electrifying runs especially down the right flank. His speed was one of his surprise elements, and he was sufficiently skilled to maneuver many a defender with his deft moves.

But he was a team man. And he recalled his combination with fellow strikers his brother Rautlie Lowe, and Pete Morris.

He considered it “unfortunate’ that the squad did not win that inaugural tournament in 1979.

That was in November that year, one month after this country gained Independence.

The performance in Suriname still remains as Guy Lowe’s most memorable moments in football.

The reception the squad got from the Surinamese after the victory against the host still stands out in Lowe’s memory. Outriders escorted the squad to the hotel by fans to whom the Vincentians had endeared themselves.

The Vincentians appeared physically small in comparison to the Surinamese. And Suriname had a formidable record of not having lost in 15 years. The Vincentians equalised twice, and went on to secure the third and winning goal.

Lowe maintains his legacy in football up to today. His brothers Raultie, Clive, Dick Philmore, have all made their mark in football, and his sisters Gracelyn and Cynette have also been stalwarts of the game and their community on a whole.

Bottom Town has served as one of this country’s breeding ground not only for sport, but the wider sphere. For example Ambassador Roy Austin is a product of the area, as well as Kenneth John, Albert Palmer, Stanley ‘Gunny’ Hinds.

And Lowe has ensured the family tradition maintains in Vincentian fotball. One of the members of today’s ‘Vincy Heat’ is Rodney ‘Chang’ jack. Guy Lowe is the proud father of jack.

Jack burst onto the scene as a teenager in 1992, and stunned the Caribbean Football analysts with a hattrick in his first outing. Akeisha Lowe, one of this country’s younger tennis talents is Guy’s daughter.

After he gave up the game at an intense level, it is hard to keep him away from the game. His team Legends took the first Masters Tournament organised two years ago.

Son of Clarence “Dicky Fan’ Lowe, and Miriam Moore originally from the North Leeward village of Troumaca, Lowe has left his mark on the landscape.

He worked at the Registry in Kingstown for 12 years, but is serving as Binder at the Government Printery located at Campden Park.

He is pleased that today’s crop of footballers have a ‘golden opportunity.”

He recalled having to leave work at four o’clock and having to run to Arnos Vale for training.

He is critical of today’s footballers and thinks “to me, they just have it as a Sunday lime.”

“They have good talent. They have to get their act together,” he said.

Lowe is disappointed that this country has not progressed further on the football stage. He noted that in our fourth effort at the semifinal stage of CONCACAF qualifiers, “this was our easiest chance.”

A committed and conscientious patriot, Lowe is still anxious to share his experience with young and upcoming footballers. And if any school or institution is keen on benefiting from his knowledge they can contact him. Lowe wishes the nation all the best on its 25th anniversary of Independence and hopes that the nation grows from strength to strength.

The 1979 Football squad stands out as a beacon in this country’s list of achievements. Other members of that party were: Elliot ‘Moory’ Millington captain, Sheen Millington, Dorian Phillips, Ali Munroe, Keith ‘Slick’ Bonadie, Sydney Mandeville, Raymond Soso, Vin Phillips, Ashley Baptiste, Tyrone Barrow, Tyrone Grant, Marcus Young, Raymond Ballantyne, John Cato, and Earl Alexander.

The officials included Coach Rudy Boucher, trainer Rudolph Mayers executive members Basil Cato, Gideon Exeter and manager Sylvester ‘Scobie’ Taylor.