GALLY Cummings described his former TT football teammate Leroy De Leon as a gifted player, and a person who would always stay positive despite any disappointments during his career. De Leon, who was from Pt Fortin, died on January 28 after ailing. He was 76.

De Leon, who made his national senior team debut at 16, is reported to have worn 17 official caps for TT at the senior level.

De Leon’s ability was seen early on as he was a standout player in the Secondary Schools Football League in the 1960s, then called the Colleges League. He was diminutive in stature and along with Warren Archibald, Steve David, Wilfred Cave and Jan Steadman was a dominant force with the St Benedict’s College team.

Their trophies included the National CFL Championship/National Intercol double of 1967, along with five consecutive South Zone Intercol titles from 1964-1968. He was named the greatest SSFL player after the first 50 years of the league in 2016.

On Facebook, the Prime Minister said, “One of the best who ever graced a football field wearing the national colours. He excelled at the beautiful game and left us some enduring memories. We hope that Mahaica (Oval) and Pt Fortin will treasure his legacy and continue to produce more sons like Leroy. Today the nation mourns with you. May he rest in peace.”

Speaking to Newsday, Cummings said, “He meant a lot to TT football and I guess that is one of the reasons why they named one of the highways after him. That will tell you something right there.”

In 2023, the Archibald-De Leon Highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin was named after the footballers.

Cummings, who was playing for Fatima College at the time, got a front-row seat in watching the quality of De Leon at St Benedict’s.

“He was a master with a ball. It was difficult to get it from him. He did some stuff with the ball which was exceptional and he was not doing that by guess. He use to train and work on his craft. He was blessed with a kind of quality that a lot of players did not have.”

Cummings, who played against De Leon at primary school level also, got the opportunity to play with De Leon on a SSFL tour to Jamaica. “We went to Jamaica and played a lot of games against Brazilian youth teams...he was always a standout.”

The trio of De Leon, Archibald and Cummings were already playing for the TT senior team at the time of the Jamaica tour in 1966. Cummings said most of the other players from the schools’ touring team went on to play for the national senior team.

Off the football field, Cummings said they shared a close friendship. “We were very good friends. All of us remained close – Archibald, De Leon, myself, Kenny Joseph, Jan Steadman.”

Reflecting on De Leon’s personality, Cummings said, “He was a jovial person. He liked his Carnival and his lime. Sometimes after a match if we lose a game and players looking sad he starting singing a kaiso or dancing to some tune. He never used to let certain things worry him.”

A media release from the TT Football Association said, “We are deeply saddened to learn