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Thomas inspired a lot of young players – Price
May 29, 2024
Rafiek Thomas was a popular and inspirational figure in the Denham Town community, and his presence will be sorely missed, the player's former coach Andrew Price said yesterday.
Thomas was shot and killed in his sleep in the community on Tuesday morning, and Price said the incident comes as a shock to him and the rest of the community.
"Rafiek had always endeared himself to the people in the community. He was loved and admired by the entire Boys' Town community.
"He was popularly known as 'Fari' and everybody loved 'Fari'. He was also a real inspiration to players in the community, even in his later years of playing he inspired a lot of younger players.
"To get this news is very devastating. I am really disheartened and in shock," he said.
Thomas, who represented clubs such as Harbour View, where he started his career, Boys' Town, his home town club, Tivoli, Waterhouse and Humble Lion scored the goal that carried Boys' Town to the KSAFA Championship League title last season.
He played his last game for Humble Lion in the just-concluded Jamaica Premier League in January, and although he was not a member of the Boys' Town team that retained the Championship League title against the Jamaica Defence Force on Sunday, he was there to celebrate with the team, and Price said his passing has turned their celebrations to sadness.
"To be awoken by this tragic news is really overwhelming. He was celebrating with us on Sunday night at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Arnett Gardens after we won the championship for the second year in a row.
"He scored the winning goal when we won it for the first time when we beat Constant Spring in the final (last year). But behind the thrill of victory there is the agony of grief," he said.
"He was a very calm, composed and a prolific goalscorer. Rafiek could score goals in any manner, headers, volleys or he would just calmly pass the ball into the net."
He added that the club will give his family any assistance it can.
"We have to give the family time in their moment of grief. But we will be in touch with them to see how the club can play a part in his send-off. But we just want to send condolences to his family and friends from the Boys' Town Football Club and the community at large," Price said.
