Words warmer than Mother Teresa’s teachings and flowing smoother than the River Jordan aptly captured the life and work of football great Sydney “Syd” Bartlett at a memorial service for him in Jamaica last week.

Leading the sentiments was Monsignor Kenneth Richards, who called for more recognition and better recording of the feats of great Jamaican sports personalities.

Speaking at the service for former Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Jamaica footballer Bartlett at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, East Kingston last Tuesday, Monsignor Richards, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Kingston, bemoaned the limited recognition afforded those who have served the nation.

“It is time that we stop paying lip service. Let us be inspired by the greats of our nation,” Monsignor Richards said.

“I am saddened that it is only at the death of Sydney that I have come to know of his greatness. Before I heard the name Syddie, I thought that (Allan) Skill Cole was the greatest and (Brazilian footballer) Dr Socrates was poetry in motion.

“We don’t pay enough attention to the greats. We only pay tokenism acknowledgements to our greats, including Marcus Garvey and I am hoping that there will be a reawakening. We need to start formalising and put in structures so that the memories of those who have brought us joy in the past can be properly documented and we could also see how we can include some of that in our school curriculum, so that we will always remember,” Monsignor Richards said.

Bartlett died in New York on December 19 last year, aged 71, after a long illness related to kidney disease. He was buried in New Jersey, but members of his family and his close friends decided to have a memorial in Jamaica at the church that he worshipped before he left here in 1965 for the USA following an illustrious club and national career.

One of Bartlett’s national teammates, Ambassador Anthony Hill lauded his colleague’s efforts in injecting excitement into the hearts of thousands of football fans between the 1950 and 1960s.

“Today, from here and abroad, with his family, fans and citizens of this special home, Jamaica, we connect in no place more sacred than in the house of the Lord, Syddie’s sanctuary of solace, Holy Rosary Church.

“In both spirit and body, here and abroad, we pay our respects to a fine gentleman of the sport, whose character, discipline, humour, gentility and sportsmanship marked him as a decent human being on and off the field,” Ambassador Hill said.

“Syddie Bartlett has entered into Jamaica’s social history, annotated by a career of achievements, honoured by a competition in his name, the Syd Bartlett League, and engraved in the hearts and minds of the society.”

The retired diplomat said that football standards were declining and needed to shift focus.

“Of a certainty, Jamaica is underperforming in all fields. Football is no exception. How can we explain that after such an abundance of proven ability at home and abroad, Jamaica has not become a fixture in international competitions?

“Ponder what Jamaica’s football could achieve, were it to emulate the structure and the organisation of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association. Discipline does make a difference.

“In keeping fresh Syddie Bartlett’s contribution, as inspiration to youngsters and as encouragement to succeed, let’s take Jamaica’s football to a higher level. Jamaica’s sport requires an institutional home, worthy of the achievements and a place of record keeping, for generations. Syddie Bartlett, gentleman footballer, will have a fitting place in such an institution,” Ambassador Hill said.

Bartlett’s long-time friend, Professor Basil “Bagga” Wilson described the late star as one of a kind.

“He was not only someone who has to be remembered as Jamaica’s top footballer, but someone who brought tremendous excitement to the game.

“We want to thank Syd Bartlett for having lived among us and having enriched our lives,” Prof Wilson said.

Bartlett’s younger brother, Michael, fighting back tears, glorified Syd as having a tremendous impact on his life, one who did a lot to benefit others.

“The genius of my brother is that unique style he had. He was a selfless player who made as many goals as he scored. The last 10 years of his life was spent in illness, but he lived in hope,” he said.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation Capt Horace Burrell, who spoke in the slot reserved for Kingston & St Andrew Football Association President Owen Speid, who did not show, hailed Bartlett’s work and promised to recognise that of other former players.

“When the Centre of Excellence is completed, I intend to ask my executive to support me in doing something for some of these greats. I have not forgotten what footballers in the past have done, those who have paved the way for us in bringing football to where it is,” Burrell said.

Several former national footballers attended the service, among them Oscar Black, Bartlett’s Jamaica teammate who scored the first goal for Jamaica in World Cup qualification during the 1965 playoffs, Lascelles Dunkley, Allan Cole, Latus McLaren, Alva Anderson, Karl Lewin, Trevor “Jumpy” Harris, Neville Oxford, Franklin “Bowla” Morant, Paul Thomas, and goalkeeper Dan Clarke.

Others including former Jamaica football technical director Winston Chung, former athlete Jack Manhertz, FIFA instructor Bunny Byfield, former FIFA referee Ken Chaplin, coaches Leebert Halliman and Bradley Stewart, past national cricketer Ronnie Savariou, retired diplomat, Dr Basil Bryan and public defender Earl Witter joined in celebrating Bartlett’s life.