The following article was written by Lasan Liburd, and first appeared in the Trinidad Express (October, 2001). THE feeling of love and life at No. 3 Pinto Road, Arima was remarkable on Friday night. In truth, it has been that way ever since the tragedy of Wednesday morning that jolted Arimaand indeed many people from Trinidad and Tobago to New Yorkawake in horror. Home-town hero and Trinidad and Tobago footballer, Mickey Trotman, had died on that same street in a vehicular accident which also claimed the lives of younger brother, Stephan, and friend, Tessa Moses. The crash also left 20-year-old brother Kenyon "Bine" Trotman and friend Troy Hernandez hospitalised. And then the people began to stream in. There was no bias towards race, gender, class or political affiliation. Everyone united to pay tribute to a young man who was approachable and open-hearted to all. Arima Mayor Elvin Edwardsuncle-in-law of Mosespersonally offered his condolences. So did FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, national technical director Rene Simoes, Arima Senior Comprehensive teacher and coach Michael Grayson, Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu-Bakr, and so forth. It seemed as though the list was unending. As hymns went up for the deceased on Friday, the Trotman villagewhich comprised three houses facing each other in a triangular formationwas filled with love. Frequent visitors would know that it has always been such a charitable place. Twenty-six years ago, Mickey was born to Anthony St Vincent and Mary Trotmanthe first of her four children. As Trinidad and Tobago shared the grief of Mickey's passing, his mother must have pondered about the regularity with which she has had to share her son with others. In the Trotman village, it seemed as though most things were shared and Mickey belonged as much to his aunts, Llewellyn Wiltshire and Joan Modeste, and uncle, Franklyn, as he did to his mom. Uncle Simon Trotman also played an integral part in his life by introducing Mickey and brothers Stephan and Kenyon to football. But, his mother apart, none was closer to his heart than Wiltshire. By Friday night, the tears had subsided, if only because it is impossible for grief to reign at "the village". A straight-faced Wiltshire was speaking about her most precious memory of Mickey. It was seven years ago when Trotman, who had just left Arima Senior Comprehensive, was awarded a scholarship to Mobile University in the United States. "I was the only person home when the (Mobile) coach called," said Wiltshire. "...When Mickey came home and I told him he was punching the air. That was what he wanted all along." By then, Trotman had already established himself as one of the country's top players through accomplished performances for the national youth teams and his school. It was at Arima that he met Grayson and the "Dial Dynamos" enjoyed three trophy-filled seasons as a result. "Gray" had no doubts about his most vivid memory. "It is the goal against El Dorado that brought the stands down in the replay of the 1991 East Zone final," said Grayson. "Of course, we didn't know until the following day that the stands had collapsed." The first match had left Arima Municipal Stadium spectators enthralled by a thrilling duel between striker Trotman and El Dorado goalkeeper Larry Loobie. But, as would become habit, Mickey won out in the end. An errant throw from Loobie in the first half was chested down by an alert Trotman, 30 yards from goal, who then crashed home a fierce right foot volley. A wooden stand filled with Arima supporters promptly collapsed, leaving several people injured, but the Dynamos went on to record a 3-1 win. On the other end, "El Do" star Kevin Jeffreys was left near tears. Jeffreys, who now represents US A' League team Richmond Kickers, also wore a pained expression on Friday as he offered his condolences to the grieving family. He has just come off an outstanding season with Kickers, where his 20 goals and 12 assists helped him to an A' League all-star first team place. Not surprisingly, he preferred to remember the times that he played alongside Trotman, such as at Five Rivers Junior Secondary and on several national youth teams. It was then that he fully appreciated the intangibles that made Mickey special. "Mickey used to be the energy of the team off the field," said Jeffreys. "He would always make the atmosphere relaxed. You could always count on him for a joke at the right time. Like in the dressing room before a big game." Former national youth player and Queen's Royal College alumni, Jeremy "Checky" Shortt, also had many playing field memories of Trotman, who was a close friend. Shortt, who now coaches his own youth team in Mississippi, is the godfather of Mickey's one-year-old son, Mikyle. Trotman was to return the favour next week by becoming godfather to Shortt's first child, Jeremy Mason Shortt. Shortt hailed Trotman's joyful spirit and pleaded with aspiring footballers to learn from himeven in death. Like Jeffreys, "Checky" often met Trotman as an opposing player from primary schoolMickey represented Arima Boys RC, while Shortt played for Arima Boys Government straight to US collegiate level. Up until recently, either player would tease the other about the possible outcome of the aborted 1991 National Intercol final between QRC and Arima. At national youth level, though, the two began travelling to training together and have been close ever since. Shortt reckons that Mikyle's christening was his most treasured memory, although he also recalled when they would get together in the US to plan their Christmases in Trinidad. Twenty-three-year-old Oire Trotman, Mickey's beloved little sister, was one of the busier people on Friday night. Her main duty was to man the telephone, which rings constantly with offers of condolences from well wishers. It is hard for Orie to keep track of the callers in her emotional frame of mind. "I don't even know who that was," she said with a smile, after one telephone conversation which lasted close to three minutes. "Bine" is the most frequent caller, though. He is detained at the Port of Spain General Hospital with a broken leg and desperately misses the opportunity to pay "proper" respects to his deceased brothers. Oire's head is awhirl with fond memories and she is unable to select just one. Or so she thinks. For most of the night, she has been singing the chorus of an Anthony B song, "Good Life". She admitted that it was a favourite of Mickey's. She most remembered her brother as a caring, down-to-earth person who was dedicated to his career. A talented hockey player herself, who is a regular on the Stag Malvern and national senior teams, Oire vowed to follow his example. "I feel if I continue playing hockey," she said. "I will dedicate the rest of my career to him." Left to herself, she continues singing the reggae hit. "It's all about the good life with the good vibes. Brethren is your brethren, sistren is your sistren." It was the way Mickey chose to live. The thousands of people who visited and telephoned No. 3 Pinto Road during the last five days were testimony to his success in that regard. It is the loving legacy of Mickey Trotman. |
