Lindy Delapenha passes at age 89

The first Jamaican to play professional football in England, Lloyd Lindberg ‘Llindy’ Delapenha has passed away.

Delapenha died aged 89 on Thursday morning after a period of illness. Having been spotted by scouts while playing in the British Armed Forces where he served following World War 11, Delapenha went on to play English League football for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Mansfield. He won the league title with Portsmouth in 1948.

He led goal scoring in three seasons at Middlesbrough, netting a total of 93 league and FA Cup goals between 1951 and 1956.

He moved to Mansfield Town in June 1958, contributing 27 goals in 115 appearances over two years, before retiring from league football in 1960.

Soon after returning home, the Munro College old boy became Director of Sports at the former  Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). He remained at the JBC for 30 years.

Current Group Head of Sports at the RJR/Gleaner Group Patrick Anderson and former national footballer Ali McNab who both worked under the guidance of Delapenha at the JBC, paid tribute to their former boss.  

“Working with him really shaped how I approached the coverage of sports in terms of the overall professionalism,” said Anderson.

“It’s difficult in one sense but it is also an opportunity to share with all of Jamaica, this iconic sportsman,’ said McNab.