HE had thousands cheering him on during his time of representing the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Jamaica.

Now Sydney “Syd” Bartlett will take his final bow before some of the very fans who urged him along during his illustrious career.

The legendary footballer who died last December, aged 70, and was buried in New Jersey, USA, will be remembered again during a memorial service at the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, East Kingston, starting at 3:00 pm today.

Monsignor Ken Richards, vicar general of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, will officiate.

Several of Bartlett’s friends and well-wishers from North America in particular, as well as those based in Jamaica, are expected to attend the service.

They include former technical director of Jamaica’s football Winston Chung, former schoolboy footballer and retired Provost of John J College of Criminal Justice, Professor Basil “Bagga” Wilson, former Jamaica players Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, Neville Oxford, Lascelles ‘Dallas’ Dunkley, retired banker and former St George’s College standout Walter Campbell, among others.

Known for his deft body shifts and his ability to kick with either foot, Bartlett was a member of Jamaica’s first World Cup squad of 1965 and also represented the first Caribbean All-Stars team on their tour of England in 1958.

Called the ‘Worm’ in his playing days, Bartlett moved to the United States in the 1960s, following a stint of local football that stretched from the 1950s.

So compelling was his impact on local football, that the Kingston & St Andrew Football Association named a third division league after him.

Bartlett, who was ailing with kidney-related problems for many years, is widely regarded as Jamaica’s best ever forward, his name often sharing emotional and highly charged debates with those of Cole and Lindy Delapenha.

Today’s service will be followed by a fellowship session at Curphey Place, Swallowfield, starting at 6:00 pm.

— HG Helps