A man of integrity; a caring and kind man.

And despite personal challenges, an undeniably brilliant sportsman.

Those =were some of the words used in tribute at the funeral of former footballer and cricketer Lesburn “Les” Brown at Redeem United Holy Church of God on Olympic Way in St Andrew on Sunday.

Brown died on October 31 at age 70.

Jamaica’s former senior football team coach Carl Brown, younger brother of Lesburn, while reading the eulogy, spoke of a “bright little boy” whose “penmanship was next to none”.

Describing an “amazing” talent, he said Lesburn “chose sports as the way out” of a modest life on Fourth Street in Trench Town.

Lesburn played senior football for Jamaica and also represented the country in youth cricket.

“He was a big influence on me, and the good attitude I developed was from watching him at work. He would run for hours — being fit was everything to him,” Carl said, while admitting that “Les” was a much better footballer than he was.

The older Brown had the reputation of being an agile, hard-tackling, but highly technical footballer.

After moving on from Trench Town Primary, he won the 1965 daCosta Cup schoolboy football title at Clarendon-based Vere Technical while playing alongside the likes of local icon Allan “Skill” Cole.

Aside from schoolboy titles, Brown had success in local club football with Boys’ Town FC and their major rivals Santos FC.

He was deemed a pioneer after being one of the first Jamaicans to play professionally in the United States.

“I would not miss any of his games. For me, no one could play as [well] as Les. Les was an amazing player, an amazing player. I hear people talk about how rough he was, [but] he was technically very, very good too.

“Les was fearless, and at times seemed like he was playing across the entire backline. He was just as good an attacking player as he was in defence,” said Carl.

He also noted that his brother’s long-range passing was almost peerless.

However, he also made his mark as a cricketer. He was said to be a good left-arm spinner who was an excellent fielder and a handy batsman.

He captained Vere to Headley Cup schoolboy cricket triumph and he also played Senior Cup for Boys’ Town.

Of Lesburn’s cricket ability, Carl said: “He was a good cricketer — one who could bat, bowl and field.”

The brothers played alongside each other for Boys’ Town on both cricket and football teams, and Carl said those were among his most cherished moments.

But he broke down emotionally when he described the agony for him and his family when Lesburn returned from the United States in 1971 with undisclosed psychological challenges that he felt killed his older brother’s chances of realising his immense potential.

“Shortly after he came back from playing the league in America he again left for the US and a life that had so much potential ended. He returned in 1971 — 47 years ago — and although he was with us Les’ life had ended; it was over at about 22 years of age,” said a tearful Carl as long-time friend and fellow Boys’ Town loyalist Aldrick “Allie” McNab briefly joined him at the podium.

Fighting back the tears, Carl continued: “He played a couple years after and we accommodated him…we wanted Les out there, but he was not the same Les Brown.”

Carl’s pain was palpable while he recounted that during moments when his mental illness overwhelmed him Lesburn would destroy clippings from his scrap book that he himself had collected.

Brown said that during that time the support from family, friends and members of the Boys’ Town club appeared never-ending.

Dr Omar Davies, former Member of Parliament for St Andrew South, in his tribute said Lesburn was someone who stood out from the pack.

“Les is somebody I’ve known over a long period… because of the work we did using football to mend a lot of the hostilities [within the constituency decades ago]. Les had some challenges, we all face challenges and who is to judge?

“I wouldn’t say we were close friends, but he is someone I remained a friend of, and all I say to the family is I hope you have the strength to deal with the loss. May his soul rest in peace,” said Davies.

Iconic former footballer and sport broadcaster Derrick “Shastri” Denniser said Lesburn was a people’s person.

“I’d like to share another side of Les Brown,” said Denniser.

“He was a fantastic cricketer and footballer — one of the few who played for Jamaica at the national level.”

Thereafter he offered tales when as a youngster Lesburn’s high moral values stood tall in the face of pressure from wayward peers.

“Les Brown, right throughout his life, company was always welcome — at football games, at social gatherings… [he would] always provide you with a good laugh and a good memory,” Denniser added.

Another Boys’ Town faithful Lyndel Wright, an ex-national cricketer and former president of the Jamaica Cricket Association, in his tribute, reiterated recent calls for the Government to implement a welfare programme for people who have represented the country.

Audible agreement came from the funeral gathering as Wright said he “wants to see something done for those who have given service to Jamaica.