Of all the epic battles that have graced the history of Jamaican football, none is more emotionally charged than the rivalry between football clubs Harbour View and Boys' Town.

Tomorrow, the time-honoured tradition continues as both teams meet for the first time this season at the mini-stadium, better known as Compound, in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) National Premier League NPL in a 6:30 pm kick-off.

Confidence is high in both camps, and a fierce battle is expected at Compound.

Harbour View are 11 points in front of their nearest rivals Waterhouse, and some have even declared the 'Stars-of-the-East' the winners already. But as they say, 'it aint over 'till it's over'.

Boys' Town, meantime, have found a pep in their step and have scored back-to-back wins at home over Rivoli United (1-0) and champions Portmore United (2-1) since their recent return to playing at Collie Smith Drive. But the recent good form will certainly be tested tomorrow on the road.

Ironically, in the 1994/95 JFF Federation Cup quarter-finals when the teams met the last time before this season of the NPL, both were under contrasting circumstances. Boys' Town had just finished last in the 1994/95 JFF Premier League, and were demoted to the KSAFA Major League, and Harbour View were the winners of the 1994/95 KSAFA Major League, and were promoted to the 1995/96 JFF Premier League.

In that Federation Cup match, Harbour View won the game 3-1 on two goals from Richard Cooke and one from Kirkland "Busta" Bowen, while current technical director of Boys' Town, Andrew Price, scored the consolation.

Of all the encounters between the 'Stars-of-the-East' and the 'Red Brigades', none is spoken of more passionately by the fans than the epic battle of the 1984/85 KSAFA Major League final at the National Stadium before a jam-packed crowd.
The standing room-only stadium was lost in a sea of red from Boys' Town and the yellow and blue of Harbour View. Many considered that clash to be one of the most exciting local club games played at the "Office".

What made this final so memorable is the fact that Boys' Town and Harbour View had met in the two previous Major League finals in 1982/83, and 1983/84, and in both games, the scores were tied after extra time and had to be decided on penalties.

The 'Red Brigades' won on both occasions. Also, in the 1983/84 edition, Harbour View led 2-0 with only minutes to go, and with Boys' Town supporters on Arthur Wint Drive travelling home, Boys' Town unbelievably equalised, sending the game into extra time and penalties.

Hearing the reports on radio that their team was back in the match, Boys' Town returned to the National Stadium to soak up what was left of an exciting finale.

Some Harbour View fans had left the grounds early to prepare to celebrate their victory, but were stunned to hear the news of the Boys' Town fightback and eventual victory.

Andrew 'Bowa' Hines, the sweeper for Harbour View in the 84/85 Final, remembered that even though they were 3-1 down with about three minutes of regular time remaining, he was very optimistic that they would come back into game, and they did. Harbour View equalised with goals by Noel Brissett, Richard Cooke and Mark Salmon, respectively, giving the 'Stars-of-the-East' a 4-3 win and the title.

Carl Brown, in reflecting on that game, said: "That was a most memorable game, but I believe the referee played a little bit too long, causing bickering among our players. As a result, the team lost its concentration. We lost to a very good Harbour View team that was going well at the time."

That Harbour View championship team has lost five of those players and one official. They are Peter Cargill, Linval McKenzie, Wainwright Davis, Noel Brissett, David Reid and Roxy Williams (manager).

The coach of that team was Clyde Jureidini, who serves as general manager of the club today, while Carvel Stewart, the current president, was the general manager. The referee that day was the renowned Winston 'Dirks' Campbell.

The final teams for 1984/85:

Harbour View - Linval McKenzie (captain), Donovan 'DV' Hayles, Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor, Richard Green, Andrew 'Bowa' Hines, Everald Easington, Howard Kerr, Howard Cain, Peter 'Jair' Cargill, Noel Brissett, Mark 'Rugu Rugu' Salmon, Wainwright Davis, David Reid, Chris Ziadie, Peter Prendergast, Richard Coke, Roxy Williams (manager) and Clyde Jureidini (coach).

Boys' Town - Carl 'Brutus' Brown (player/coach), Clive Dixon, Trevor Francis, Delroy Lewis, Donald Davidson, Barrington Panton, Hugh Bailey, Lenworth 'Lenny' Hyde, Donovan Downer, Oral Hyre, Devon Hardware, Barrington Edwards, Thomas McLean, Garfield Morgan, Allie McNab and Harold Richardson (manager).

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