What sport shall we devise

Here in this garden,

To drive away

The heavy thought of care?

— Shakespeare, Richard II

I say that sport should be football. The schoolboy football season has ended and what a season it was, with spills, thrills, exaltation, disappointment, triumph and despair. As usual, the cream rose to the top as the seeded fancied schools delivered. Well, most of them did.

The title of this week’s article was actually taken from an interview of Nathan Thomas, KC’s midfielder, after they won the Manning Cup this year. Those words perhaps said more than all the interviews I have heard over the years given by players, coaches or fans. They came from his heart and symbolised the feelings and passion that KC supporters have for the school.

One would think that KC is a co-ed school, based on the number of females decked out in purple and white at events where KC is present. Passion runs deep, it runs strong, and is so powerful that the motto, “The Brave May Fall But Never Yield”, has gone international. A policewoman told me that motto is what she lives by.

But it’s also criticised by those who simply do not understand it, as they say, “You KC guys really full of yourself eh?”

“Nobody boasy like KC people — you must be a cult or something.”

No school is more hated by detractors. My friend told me that any team that plays against KC is the team that he supports, even if they’re from Mars. As long as KC doesn’t win, he’s happy.

But there’s a reason, a rationale, a logic behind all this. “I love KC,” right after these responses to ‘Resist temptation’.

Hi Tony,

Temptation comes in many guises, and I admit I am tempted almost daily, and many times I succumb to temptation. My wife keeps telling me to resist, but she is almost just as weak, and at times will join me. I am talking about desserts — ice cream, cakes, Danishes, pies, and all types of pastries. I know that those items of temptation are unhealthy, but what a way to go.

Jason

Tony,

Temptation can be such a powerful force. It takes a really strong person not to give in to temptation, and given the right circumstances almost everyone is prone to fall into its trap. How long can you hold out, how many times can you say no, how great is your resolve to turn away? Even the very powerful have their weakness and as the old saying goes, every man has his price, every man has his breaking point. Many people do not yield only because they’re afraid of being caught, but take away that threat and see how many succumb.

Robert

Without a doubt, Kingston College is the most decorated high school in Jamaica, despite its relatively young age when compared to the other prominent high schools. KC has not only caught up, but surpassed them in many areas.

The school has the most wins in Boys’ Champs, the most wins in Schools’ Challenge Quiz, the third-most Manning Cup wins behind JC and St George’s, most Walker Cup wins — tied with St George’s, numerous wins in cricket, basketball, chess, debating, and is heralded for its world renowned choir. The Rhodes Scholars and Jamaica Scholars are legendary.

That all contributes to the passion and pride that KC boys feel. The school won Boys’ Champs 14 years in a row. Do you understand what that achievement does to a young mind? No wonder young Nathan Thomas gushed those now famous words in his interview: “I love KC.”

The sportscasters and reporters refer to KC as “The Famed Purples”, which brings me to this year’s Manning Cup season, which was memorable. KC was always knocking at the door for the past three years, having won the then prestigious Walker Cup in 2016; the All-Island Super Cup in 2017; defeating DaCosta Cup champs Ruseas and Manning Cup Champs JC in the process; plus walloping STETHS in the final.

But not having won the Manning Cup in 32 years, the stakes were high. People may not agree with me but even though the Manning Cup is steeped in history and tradition, from a pure football perspective the All Island Super Cup is really the ultimate test of football supremacy, as the top urban and rural teams battle.

But I guess because it’s still relatively new many people do not give it the weight that it deserves. The Olivier Shield, where Manning Cup and DaCosta Cup champions play off, used to be played over two legs, but now, only one game is played.

For the past three seasons KC went in as Manning Cup favourites. Even though this year’s team didn’t have the overall flair and finesse of the teams of the previous two years, it was still a force to be reckoned with and favoured by the pundits.

The first round was the usual walk in the park as the team, amassed over 60 goals with only four against. One interesting match was against that school, played at Calabar. It was billed as a clash, but why, I have no idea. KC and Calabar clash at Boys’ Champs, but certainly not in football. It’s no contest. The boys from Red Hills Road were beaten 4-0 and 2-0 in the return leg. I only saw one Calabar supporter at the return game.

Another interesting match was against Mona High, played at that school. The lunar-like playing surface was ill-conducive to the slick passing game of KC, and they only managed to score one goal. The Mona coach then went on TV and declared that KC was ordinary and that Mona would go on to win the Manning Cup. The return match silenced everyone.

Another strange match was at Breezy Castle against Cumberland. The name is fitting, as the field, situated down by the waterfront, is subject to gale force winds that never stop. The ball would literally hang in the air for eternity before it reversed its trajectory. The team had to adjust its playing style again to overcome.

Fast-forward to the grand final between the North Street giants, KC and St George’s, the battle of North Street. I remember after the semi-finals when KC beat STATHS and St George’s beat JC, my friend from George’s came to me and told me in great detail why KC could never beat that George’s team.

I listened politely, said nothing, but mused, “Why bother to play the game? After all, you’ve already won.” So game day arrived and what an exciting match it turned out to be. KC missed glorious chances before St George’s scored to make it 1-0 at half-time.

Another George’s friend of mine said, “I’m worried, for KC is going to turn it up in the second half.” He proved to be prophetic, as the Purples equalised and pressed hard, only to have George’s take the lead against the run of play with a beautiful header from a corner. 2-1 to George’s, but more drama was in the offing.

With six minutes to go St George’s missed a glorious sittter, as the ball defied the laws of physics and went sailing over the bar from point-blank range. As punishment, KC equalised. Then with four minutes to go, Nathan Thomas of “I love KC” fame unleashed a torrid shot that deflected off a George’s player’s head and flew into the net. If you don’t take the shot you don’t have a chance.

People often speculate if God intervenes in sports, and it is said that angels and demons have their way with football games. What a way to win a final, and what a way to lose… heartbreaking. I was ecstatic for the win, but I also felt sympathy for St George’s. I will never forget that look of utter devastation and concern on the face of “George’s” coach Neville Bell after the match. I’ve known Bertis from boyhood days playing ball in Harbour View, and I felt it for him. He really loves his team like how a father loves his sons.

But the day belonged to KC, and the 15th hold on the Manning Cup was achieved without losing a single match. Grown men, boys, ladies wept. The passion was overflowing but there was grief for St George’s, to be four minutes away from victory, only to have it snatched away dramatically.

Many weren’t happy with the victory, for the KC haters are aplenty. But the KC lovers are numerous too. As one sportscaster said, “Oh no, KC won, now they’ll celebrate all year; we’ll never hear the end of it.”

On to the Olivier Shield, KC against DaCosta Cup winner Clarendon College. The game was fairly good with KC squandering numerous easy chances, only to be punished in the final four minutes by a brilliant goal from CC. The angels and demons reversed their spell, as KC played perhaps one of their better games of the season, but didn’t score.

But they were not daunted, never yielding. The posts kept coming in, “Congrats to my boys, my team, for a wonderful season,” Lavone Beecher. That lady adopts KC boys every year and treats them like her sons.

Yaro “Fortis” General wrote, “Keep calm and love KC.”

Fabian Liitlejohn wrote post-match commentaries that rivalled anything I’ve seen from professional sportswriters.

This year KC has suffered many tragedies, with students and old boys passing away. My schoolmate and friend Hugh “Shoes” Lawson passed away mid-season and never saw the glory.

Overjoyed Donovan Germaine is the manager of the team and also the manager of X Factor winner Dalton Harris, who is a KC past student. The Under-16 Colts are 2018 champions. It’s a Purple Reign, and that’s why Nathan’s words resonate, “I love KC.”

More time.

seido1@hotmail.com

Footnote: It’s two days until Christmas Day and I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful and warm holiday season, filled with love for family, friends and significant others. Spread the love. Have a wonderful holiday season, my friends and please stay safe.