Major Leacock gets red carpet treatment

Former president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) St Clair Leacock was last Saturday, the 2018 honouree of the Breakaway Masters Organization.

Leacock has served sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines in various spheres, namely as a player and as an administrator.

Having dabbled in table tennis, Leacock, though, excelled in cricket and football, with the latter being his forte.

Following his success as a footballer at the Kingstown Preparatory School, Leacock transferred his skills to the St Vincent Grammar School where he played for his form and his house.

He progressed to represent the Grammar School at the national competitions under the aegis of the then St Vincent Football Association.

Leacock moved on to play for the St Vincent Cadet Force, Saxon, Back Street, Dreads in Calliaqua and Pastures United.

As a teacher at the St Vincent Grammar School, Leacock was Millar House’s master, as well as the school’s games master.

Progressing in various stages of his adult life, Leacock sponsored several football teams, competitions and leagues across St Vincent and the Grenadines, through his business entities.

Leacock brought his entrepreneurial skills to bear on football, as he was instrumental in St Vincent and the Grenadines hosting its first floodlight football competition at the Victoria Park in the early 1980s.

As Vice-President of the national football body, St Vincent and the Grenadines placed second to Haiti in the Caribbean Football Union finals held in Suriname in 1979.

This feat was repeated in 1981 in Puerto Rico, with Leacock at the helm of the national association.

Leacock has been credited with playing a pivotal role in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ admittance to FIFA.

During his presidency – 2001 to 2007, the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior national team was rebranded Vincy Heat, and he was able to secure tours for Vincy Heat to Brazil and England.

Additionally, under his watch, St Vincent and the Grenadines got its best FIFA rankings of 73rd.

In October 2004, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Vincy Heat had some of its best results – a 0-1 loss to Mexico here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, and in 2006, defeated regional powerhouse Jamaica 2-1 at the Jamaica National Stadium.

Others significant results, include a defeat of Nicaragua and St Kitts and Nevis in 2004, thus being SVG’s best showing in World Cup qualifiers. 

In accepting the accolades, which included a medal, a certificate, an iced cake, as well as a plaque, an elated Leacock, thanked the Breakaway Masters Organization for its gesture and recognition of his contribution to sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines, namely football.

Leacock is a member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines parliament.