Assalaamu alaikum Samba, l think l mentioned Nyanga's name. Nyanga Sallah was my brother's best friend, and not only a talented player, but a friend and a great guy l grew up with in our old neighbourhood.Thanks for the memories, and l did not know you played this game. Jabou In a message dated 12/28/99 9:15:05 AM Central Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Assalamu alaikum G-L Alhamdullila, Thank you very much Adou Sey for bringing this BOLL ROLLING on the Forum,called Football or Soccer. I really enjoy this discussion but I did not see anyone mention a player from Augustinians, neither do anyone mention the miracle Augustinian team did during the midle of the 80`s as far as soccer is concern. Gambians has talent and determination in soccer,but no support at all. I want to tell you about myself without any pretention or show off. When I was a little boy I used to `Nyaye fence`,sometime I used to go to old lines by the police berracks or went to Primet street one of the high buildings to watch football match as a poor student,there was a police officer we used to called endurance,he was very active whenever he saw you `Nyaying the fence` he will come and get you out and beat you very seriously. I like the game verymuch but could not affort to pay to get inn,especially when Real is playing. Realy De Banjul was my favourite team,and the late Nyaga Sallah,(may Allah Shower him with his Mercy) who died tragically in the July 81 Coup,is just like am seeing his image right now,I can remember the day of the coup he put on red track suite with white stricks on. For those who saw him that they,correct me if I am wrong. I will never forget that day in my life. Nyanga Sallah was a winger left that I used to imitate how he play soccer,and I am natural left also like him. I want to mention some of the Real players that I can remember during the late 70`s and the bigenning of the 80`s:- Nyanga Sallah,Butut Joof,Pegee,Saihou Sarr,Garba Touray,Musa Njie,Garnet,Kebba Ceesay,Serign Fye, Jim Boy Mahoney and the others. In 1983 I started to trained very hard to join the Real Team. One day I went to the beach side to trained, I meet the Augustinians Team training and I did join them,after training, one of them asked me wheather I would like to play for them,I can`t remember who he was,but any way I did joined them. After I went home and said to myself that maybe I should joined them so that people can see what I can do in the field of soccer,from there maybe I can get the chance to play for Real. Augustinians was at the second division Teams at that time,I played for them for one season and we became last and has to go to Third division,most of the others dont want to played Third division. Sam Thorpe tried hard to recruit the young boys,and I did help him by talking with some of the youngstars that I trained together with for many Years and know each other. Although I was older than them but it doesn`t metter for me as far as we understand each other,no problem. With the help of God! we started from Third division,and we qualified for the Second division after Second division,we qualified to the First division Teams,there we defited all the First division Teams,both first round and second round,except Hawks that had onedraw and one defit against us,but the Big Teams like Wallidan and Real we beat them both first round and second round for first time in the history of Soccer in the Gambia. From Third division to First division and became the League Champion`s. Augustinians brake a record from 1983 up to 1987 they were the best Team in the Gambia.With the help of God!,Sam Thorpe,Poul Silver and Joe.We used to trained very hard than any other Team, sometimes we used to train two hours physically without ball control that`s why any Team that know`s that you are going to have Augustinians you have to trained extra hours.Birri and Saihou Sarr know`s that or any other player who was playing Soccer by that time and join the Gambia-L,I challange you for what I said about Augustinians during 84-87. We were the best with out any pretention or neither showing off. My dream did not came true,cause Real De Banjul was my favourite Team. Augustinians was playing against Real during the second round and that march was a march that we had to win to be came the League Champion`s. I got fracture on my left foot during the first five minutes by the Real gaolkepper Mam Malick Khan and that was his first march to play for Real De Banjul,and my last march also for Augustinians. Augustinians during 1984-87 had a Team that could represent the Gambia National Team,because we played collectivly and were physically fit and know each other,understand each other. We had good trainers and coach like Sam Thorpe and Poul Silver they were both fantastic and understandable. I dont forget our Manager August Prome and all those who were supporting us. May God give them longlife,goodhealth and progress. Thank you Adou for the support and interest you have for the Game. And I dont forget Modou Mbye who mention my best favourite player Nyanga Sallah(may Allah Shower him with His Mercy) If the GFA has good support and stop selecting their own stars from their own Teams,and try to chosed good players fairly,then I grauntee the Gambian`s will be well known in African Soccer like Nigeria and the other African Teams who performed in the World Cup. Because is to select good Team,and give them good support that`s all. The boys can play good Soccer,they have energy, skills and determination. Sam Thorpe wrote: Hi Pulo, Is this the Pulo that played for Augustinians Foot ball Team during the 80`s. Am Coach Sam Thorpe,now working as the Chief executive of the Gambia YMCA. Merry Chirstmas and a happy Millennium. Thank you for your attention. Sam.B.Thorpe. YES! Coach Sam that`s your winger left who played for the Augustinians Dream Team during the 80`s. From 84-87. Congratulation for you new Post. May God bless you Coach Sammy. I wish you Marry Christmas and a happy Millennium. Bamba Laye wrote: Yus, It is rather unfortunate that the boys may never have the chance to get the outside experience they need to face some of these soccer giants simply because the funds are not there. The GFA (up to the end of '94) under the leadership of O.B Conateh, Sosseh and others, have tried collectively and personnaly to revive the talents in these young men, unfortunately, their efforts have not been reciprocated by the government. If only the government can see the future dividend to be earned in these young talents, they should look into the matter with serious contention. As far as the match-ups, I think they have equal chance to face these giants like everyone else, the unfortunate thing is that they don't have the same resources as others. There is no doubt that they can put these giants to task if all else is there. With that in mind, I would like to urge every soccer enthusiast at home and abroad to support the GFA by all means necessary to take Gambian soccer to right level. Abdoulie A. Jallow wrote: The Gambia simply does not invest enough money in football to develop a strong footballing tradition locally or in the international arena. Also, we did not ride or build on the momentum that our soccer had garnered during two specific periods during the 80s. The first opportunity to ride the crest was during the 1980 Zone Two tournament or the government for the fate that has befallen our football because there are too many extraneous circumstances involved in this decline. Gambian soccer has been a victim of some mismanagement and uncontrollable circumstances as is the case in many African countries. Again, I don't intend to sound like a gloomy pessimist because we are capable of producing as much talent as countries like Senegal or Liberia . Thank you very much Bamba Laye and Yusupha also for you comments I agree with you for your additional Facts. May your Today better than your Yesterday,and your Tomorrow better than your Today.....Ameeen!!!!! Allahummasalli alaa saidina Muhammadin wa alaa alli Muhammadin Samba Goddard (Pulo) >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------