I am a strong believer in preserving the [liniage/legacy] of those who have
contributed in our history - one way or another. I hope video archives of  Biri
in his professional years outside Gambia exist somewhere. I am interested in
getting hold of some copies if anyone can help.
Yus, thanks for sharing this with us.

Maila




Y C Jow wrote:

> Well, Alhagi Njie Biri is still the greatest Gambian footballing export ever.
>  On a side note, the Zone II tourney just started and we managed to draw 1 -
> 1 with Les Grandes.
>
> Check this interview out.  it's quite informative.
>
> Culled From All Africa.com - Independent
>
> Make no peccadillo about it, Biri has carved a comfortable soccer niche for
> himself, written his name in lights and deservedly stamped his mark into the
> annals of history. What more could be said of a man who was Gambia's first
> professional footballer? A man who set alight the Spanish and Danish leagues
> with Seville and B1901 respectively, sweeping many honours, rubbed shoulders
> with the likes of John Cruyff and Diego Maradona and whose international
> career spanned an unassailable record of twenty four years? Simply put, Biri
> is a soccer icon and as he waxes eloquently here in this interview, finding a
> mould for him will not be an easy task.
>
> Born Alhagie Modou Njie in the forties, Biri had primary education at Albion,
> Stanley and St. Mary's schools before wrapping it up at Crab Island Secondary
> School. From there, he worked at the Marine Department before he left to
> concentrate wholly on the round leather profession.
>
> After fantastic spells with five home clubs, he flew to the home of football
> (England) for trials with Derby County, but racism proved to be the stumbling
> block. However, glory and luck glittered on him in Spain and Denmark where,
> like King Midas, everything he touched just seemed to turn to gold.
>
> But The Gambia was calling, so he returned home and gave the benefit of his
> legendary talents to local football clubs, his own home boys, before finally
> ending it all with Wallidan, for whom he played after a well-executed
> international football career. No wonder he still has a fan club in Seville.
>
> Today, as Deputy Mayor of Banjul and probably the most capped squad player,
> Biri, in this issue of Portrait, empties his heart on his favourite all time
> player, how he got the nickname he still bandies and President Jammeh.
>
> What lured you into football?
>
> Well, it was the game that we played during our childhood days. We played on
> the streets and at the football grounds. In a nutshell, that was what lured
> me into football.
>
> You played for Black Diamonds, White Fathoms, Augustinians and Wallidan. Can
> you remember how many goals you scored for these clubs?
>
> Hey, brother, that is a difficult question! I can't remember the number of
> goals but I started my career at Black Star, from there I moved to Black
> Diamonds, White Fathoms, Arance, Augustinians and finally Wallidan, where I
> finally hung up my boots.
>
> Were you playing for all these sides while you were in the national team?
>
> Yes. I started playing in the early sixties. In 1963, I was selected to be in
> the national team. By that time, I was a sixteen-year-old kid. When the Stade
> Demba Diop was being opened in Senegal (in those days, it was called Stade
> Amy Thiaw) I was dropped because I was a kid, even though we played in the
> same league! Still, I stowed away with the team. In Dakar, I managed to watch
> the encounters between The Gambia and France, Gabon and Upper Volta (present
> day Burkina Faso). In the Gambia - France encounter, we were humbled 5 - 1!
>
> The French were fresh from the 1962 World Cup and the team that defeated us
> had about four players who had been in Chile. The other national teams were
> not keen to take on France but we stood up to them and though we lost
> heavily. In the other matches, the Gambia drew 2 - 2 with both Gabon and
> Burkina Faso.
>
> Gambia lost 6 -1 to Liberia on your debut. Were you overwhelmed with the
> heavy loss during your debut?
>
> Nobody rejoices in defeat. Of course, I was happy to enter the pitch in my
> country's colours but I was sad also because it was my first international a
> nd I lost. I don't like to lose in any competition I venture into. To triumph
> has always been my goal.
>
> You were capped while you were in school. How were you blending football with
> your studies?
>
> As they say, there is a time for everything. In this case, you have to
> combine both together because if you are not fit, you will not be able to
> study properly. If you don't study, surely you will not pass.
>
> Football did not tamper with my schooling as I gave equal time to both.
>
> Your international career spanned a period of twenty-two years. How many caps
> and goals did you obtained for the Gambia?
>
> Actually, I cannot remember because, in those days, there were no records.
> However, I played for the national team for twenty-four years (1963 - 1987)!
> I then retired in the same year when I was in the same side as my son.
>
> How did you go for trials to the English club, Derby County?
>
> I went to Derby County via the late Matarr Sarr, who was the captain of the
> national cricket team. He saw my performances and reckoned I was fit to play
> in England. He did all the arrangements and then informed me. When I went
> there, I did not let him down because I did more than expected. However, in
> those days, racism was at its peak in Britain and black people shied away
> from sports. I would have been the first black player to grace the English
> league, had everything went fine. That was in 1970. That was why Derby's
> manager, Bryan Croft, suggested that I returned home and that they will send
> for me. I came home until a Danish club, B1901, came for me.
>
> Surely, you must have had a culture shock when you went to far-flung and
> freezing Denmark?
>
> In fact, it was not a culture shock because I had already been in England.
> When B1901 came here and played against Wallidan, I was spotted quickly
> because the supporters here were howling about my skills and prowess. Thus,
> B1901's trainer, Kurt Nielsen, took note of that.
>
> He did not know me personally but when we kicked off he asked if I was the
> much hyped-about Biri Biri? He was told yes and he said: "no wonder with the
> talent he possesses, he can be a professional at any time."
>
> We played and lost 5 - 4 and I scored a hat trick. B1901 were to play against
> Real de Banjul and I was made to play to see if I could fit in the B1901
> team. They got what they wanted for I tore Real apart, scoring four times.
> Infact, I scored five but the referee, Alhagie Mboob, disallowed a clear
> goal. However, tension began to peak and O.B Conateh, had to come down from
> the pavilion and asked me to come off the pitch. Some people were saying that
> I sided with the whites to defeat my own people. However, that was the
> mentality people had in those days, it was nothing serious.
>
> Why did you not play for Anderlect though you went there for trials?
>
> When I went to Anderlect, I would not say I was on trials because they know
> what I can do. However, the tests they put me through were a laugh because I
> had mastered that ages ago during my primary school days! It was all about
> crossing the ball and to see how I could score. Later, we did the business on
> the pitch and I was closely scrutinized. All the balls from my teammates were
> passed to me to see how I could go about things. I must have played a blinder
> for I was signed immediately after the match. However, what the contact
> entails and what I was told was different. I disagreed because I was already
> a professional. I cannot come from Seville in Spain and be placed in the
> fourth team. That brought misunderstanding between myself and Anderlect and I
> went back to Seville, upon their request.
>
> I reckon it was at Seville you met Diego Maradona?
>
> Yes but we didn't meet on the pitch. I had long left Seville, went to B1901
> and came back home with Wallidan. However, certain people complained to OB
> Conateh that I was too old and should retire. Adama Samba, Wallidan's manager
> then, threatened to quit if I was made to retire. I chose to retire but I was
> still selected for the national team. With Maradona, when he went to Seville,
> he saw my name graced the football ground and that was fifteen years after I
> had left Seville!
>
> Infact, I have a fan club there. Maradona enquired if I was still alive and
> was told yes. He asked the club to invite me so we could meet me.
>
> A Spanish newspaper, Marca, sponsored the trip. At Seville, Maradona and I
> behaved like long lost friends. We hugged and kissed. I then invited him to
> come here. Everything was smoothly done because one of Seville's directors,
> who cared for me most, was then the club's president. I came and informed the
> local media about it.
>
> Unfortunately, I lost my job the following week at the Ministry of Youth and
> Sports. I was told there was no need for a sports coach. With the push and
> pull that followed, I was paid my ten years service at the department and I
> left.
>
> You still possess the shirt Maradona gave you?
>
> Yes, I still have it; it is the jersey he played with on that day. I had a
> photo with the line up. Before the match, Maradona was stroking my legs and
> rubbing his legs against mine. I told him in Spanish that he was making a
> joke out of me! The world knows him while I'm only known in Spain. He replied
> that he had heard of my feats in Spain and admitted that he could not do it
> at Seville, though he could do it elsewhere. He told me it would be difficult
> to forget that I once existed. After the match, he gave me his jersey and I
> did not wash it.
>
> However, my wife suggested that it should be washed. I do wear it at times,
> normally during weekends.
>
> Why did you prefer to see out your career at Wallidan?
>
> Well, it was nothing special. I have played in two decades of club and
> country football and I have never been a reserve. I believe I have done a lot
> for Gambian football. There was a time I alighted from a plane only to
> immediately board it again with the squad, who were off to Ghana. An air
> ticket was bought for me on the spot. I could remember going to Accra with
> only the clothes I was standing in! At night, I washed them only to wear them
> in the morning. However, that was nothing special or amazing because I was
> doing it for my beloved country, The Gambia.
>
> During the twenty-four years you played for the Scorpions, how many coaches
> molded you and which coach had an inspiration on your career?
>
> Interesting question. Nobody coached me here, even in Europe! There was a
> time I lectured B1901 about the away team visiting us. Boy Corr witnessed
> that. Marley Joiner and Oussou Njie Senor met me in Spain and are enough
> witnesses. If not, people will conclude I'm just boasting.
>
> But, brother, the gift I possess in football, I'm not disputing nobody will
> posses it but it won't come now. This is because I was complete. I could run,
> I was powerful, an excellent dribbler, good controller, good header of the
> ball and I could also pass at any given time. God's gift is different from
> what had been instilled in you. Thus, nobody taught me anything new. The only
> person I would praise is the one who discovered me at the former McCarthy
> Square, (now July 22nd Square) the late Alhagie Ebou Conteh.
>
> What was the best goal you scored?
>
> I had scored a lot of breath-taking goals. However, I did a Maradona type,
> when I dribbled past seven players against Senegal. That was in 1967 in
> Dakar. I could remember putting the ball between the keeper's legs. After the
> match, people were assuming I was a Brazilian! I was guarded throughout my
> stay in Dakar.
>
> Was it during the Zone Two tournament?
>
> No, it was Festival Mondial and we were invited.
>
> How did the nick name 'Biri-Biri' come about?
>
> That came in 1965 during the Festival Mondial. Faye Faal was the commentator.
> Gaira Lamin told him 'Biri' and he added another 'Biri' to it. It kicked off
> from there and just spread. By the way, Gaira Lamin was my teammate at
> national level.
>
> President Jammeh has appointed you deputy Mayor of Banjul. Wouldn't a
> sport-centred position be more laudable?
>
> Yes, but everything lies in God's hands. President Jammeh brought me back to
> the forefront because I had almost been forgotten. When he appointed me, I
> laughed because I was pleasantly taken aback. He told me he meant it and I
> accepted. I'm now interacting with people in a different capacity than
> before. However, I still possess the soccer experience and I can read a match
> as before. We must pray to God to further lengthen President Jammeh's stay
> because where he wants to steer the ship of state, it is for the betterment
> of us all. I'm not saying this because I'm with the APRC but because I
> witnessed it. When Saint Clair Joof was politicking, it is still in my
> memory. We both lived on Perseverance Street. Those who were here for
> thirty-two years did practically nothing. Thus, let's pray to God to help
> Jammeh carry the state lead and develop the country.
>
> Would you like to coach the Scorpions?
>
> No, that is not in my plans at the moment but I could advise. I was once a
> coach and Alagie Sillah was my assistant. However, I spent only three months
> on the job. Perhaps it was because our differences were enormous. In those
> days, I was the only professional coach and I have done lots of coaching
> courses. The late Ernest Happel, who took Holland to two consecutive World
> Cup Finals, coached me for one year, among others. Miljan Miljani, former
> coach of Real de Madrid, once said only Pele possesses the talent he saw in
> me. That was after Seville and Madrid played a 1 - 1 draw and I scored.
>
> You must have been devastated when Gambia failed to win the Zone Two
> tournament on home soil in 1997?
>
> Yes, I was but it was all down to luck. Perhaps, there was something found
> wanting in the technical department. I'm not trying to criticize the
> technicians at all. The support we had in 1997 was never present in any host
> country. I know this because I played in the entire Zone Two tournaments
> before I retired. Definitely, if we had won the Zone Two, it could not have
> been good for us! It was destined to be that way.
>
> What does your job as deputy mayor entail?
>
> It consists of a lot of things. I sometimes represent the mayor at
> conferences. For instance, I have attended two world conferences of Mayors. I
> also do certain tasks for the mayor like I sign passports, birth certificates
> for confirmation, amongst other things.
>
> Could you chirp on Gambian football in your days and now?
>
> Well, as for now, certain things are included which is a mystery to me.
> However, the reason why our era was better than the present time is the will
> to win. We want nothing short of victory to the extent that my opponent is my
> enemy! I could remember I had a match against my own brother. Before the
> match, he was being loud about it. He was playing for Benfica then, a
> powerful team. On the pitch, people thought we weren't even brothers! This
> was because it was business on the pitch and he would be my brother
> afterwards. We thrashed them 4 - 1. In those days, I could weep bitterly when
> I lose a match so I always make sure it is not repeated. As I said, it is
> going to be difficult to find a player like me because the risks I took, no
> player in this present generation would be ready to do it. I might be at par
> with players on skills or something else but I would always outclass them in
> other departments. Ebou Sillah is a good player but not powerful enough.
>
> However, he is so humble that when he pulls on the Scorpion's jersey, that
> air of haughty professionalism does not ooze out of him.
>
> Is your love affair with football over?
>
> (Laughs) It still exists because I watch football on TV and I sometimes go
> and watch football at the stadium. However, I just cannot control myself out
> there and so I prefer to stay at home! I remember as a Wallidan player, I
> would not join in the celebration of a cup or league victory because the
> mission has not been accomplished. I was the first black player to play in a
> Danish cup final and I still possess the winner's medal. That was in 1973. I
> have played with Eusibio, Louis Preria, Netsa, Cruyff, etc. In 1973, I was
> the only player with a fan club, Cruff and others! If I could make a name
> among such stars, brothers, I must have known something!
>
> Who was your favourite player and why?
>
> Pele has always been my star. It would be difficult for a player to match
> him. Take it from me; Pele is miles ahead of Maradona, who was another
> complete player. The difference between Pele and I is that he came from a
> country where football is exposed.
>
> If you had taken Gambia to the World Cup, could you have been a match for
> Pele?
>
> Ah that was the determination but it would be difficult to have been
> actualized because there was not enough exposure for us to reach the World
> Cup. We had individual players and a good side but not one to go all the way
> to a World Cup final. To qualify is one thing, to go and do well is another.
> Look at Zaire at the 1974 world cup. They were utterly humiliated! Yes, Pele
> was crowned the world's best player but our intention was to match him and we
> could have done so if we had had the means.
>
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