The year was 1964. I had been attending high school for 11 months and we were now in the height of the football season. My school had started the season in a promising mode not yet losing a game, a feat rivalled only by the boastful Kingston College (KC) from North Street.

Both teams boasted sound defences but for us young Wolmerians, we had a more than capable custodian between the sticks named Wilton Scott, who was not only fearless but also seemed impenetrable.

The inevitable day came when the two teams would clash. Relatively early in the first half Wolmerians saw Scott dive full length across his goal but failed to prevent the ball from lodging in the “pigeon hole” of the Wolmer’s net. The impossible had happened. Within another 10 minutes, it happened again. KC 2, Wolmer’s 0.

The architect we were told was a forward by the name of Neville Oxford, a native of Vineyard Town. We felt no different as the Phillistines must have felt when a boy name David slew their giant warrior Goliath with a single stone from a slingshot.

Leaving the stadium as 1-3 losers to a respectable Kingston College team was no disgrace. It was clear that it would not be the last time we would hear the name Neville Oxford of KC.

The following year, the KC team came even stronger with the addition of Trevor “Jumpy” Harris to partner Oxford. They trounced Wolmer’s 6-0 and in a replay for the Walker Cup, Oxford netted twice to steal a 2-0 victory from their rivals.

Oxford would soon be taking up National duties under Brazilian coach Jorge Pena. But before that, long before, he was showing his sporting prowess representing Vaz Prep School along with big sporting performers like Ray Harvey and Huntley Manhertz, who together earned sporting scholarships to KC.

Less known was his prowess as an accomplished cricketer, long jumper and sprinter. Also less known is the fact that he was the first Jamaican to be offered professional football contract in the Mecca of Jamaican football, Brazil, when in 1965 he was invited to play with Americo.

He turned down that opportunity following his mother’s advice to concentrate on his advanced levels. In 1967 Oxford was invited to play for New York Generals who would later become the New York Cosmos with the legendary Pele on board. Oxford also signed up with Leyton Orient in England to play League football.

Neville Dwight Oxford was called to the Jamaica national squad from the tender age of 16. He impressed when a Brazilian Under-23 football team visited Jamaica and were matched by a star-studded team from Kingston College.

Questioned as to why he did not take up the professional contract, Oxford said that his mother was adamant that he should do his advanced levels first.

Was this a decision he lived to regret? In hindsight Oxford mentions this decision as a low point in his career, but philosophically he states that he gives thanks for perfect health and he would probably have made the same decision again as he has been able to travel the world which “helped me to understand the geo-politics of the world and get a broader understanding of mankind”.

After leaving school, Oxford led the charge for many years for the outstanding major league team Cavalier coached by the legendary Leighton Duncan. There was one memorable game when the colourful Team House of Dread lined up against “Duncan’s Destroyers”. The game was dubbed a “Rasta versus Baldhead encounter”. When the popular team scored first, the stadium erupted and a dreadlocked supporter began a victory lap around the stadium track. By the time he reached the 200-metre mark, Neville Oxford had buried two goals for Cavalier. The enthusiastic supporter disappeared somewhere in the bleachers. End of this game!

In a time when international games were few and far apart, Oxford enjoyed a distinguished career representing Jamaica in 24 football games.

Outside of football, Oxford has held several senior positions in the corporate world of Information Technology.

He was never a computer ‘nerd’ or one who spent all his time on the sports field. He actually rates himself highly as a music “afficionado”, but is a genuine all-rounder having been once nominated as a Gleaner Personality of the Year 1982. Oxford has also worked as a sports journalist and done administrative work for the Jamaica Football Federation.

Having attained top ranking as a football player in 1974, Oxford coached no less than three schoolboy teams, including his alma mater.

His all-time sporting hero was boxer Muhammed Ali and his all-time local sporting hero is sprinter Usain Bolt.

As a professional IT corporate manager over the past 40 years, Oxford has worked as chief executive officer for Millennium Solutions Limited, Kingston, for the last 18 years and developed e-commerce business systems and Strategic Plans. Website development/hosting has been the company’ forte. Sports marketing project development work and Sports Marketing Software have also been developed by him.

This is no mediocre achiever. His achievements over the years, on and off the field, have been substantial. His shots to goal have always been huge. His goals remain significant and laudable. This is Neville Oxford.

Editor’s note: Robbie Robinson is an attorney-at-law, public speaker, sports journalist, sports enthusiast and singer.