Late Lattimore described as ‘crowd-pleaser’

Former national footballer Arthur Lattimore passed away after a long battle with throat cancer.

Lattimore, who represented Jamaica’s football team through­out the 1970s, died at his home in Florida, leaving behind five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The talented left-sided winger was revered for his time at Liguanea United, where he played in teams with stalwarts such as Rene Phillips, Luke Whitney, Hugo Campbell, and his cousin, Keith Lattimore, as well as Mark Cobran, who described Lattimore as a ‘crowd-pleaser’ during his time.

“He was a skilful player, and he did things with the football that I have never seen before,” Cobran said. “He was not ordinary, and, to me, he was the greatest baller in Jamaica at the time, even better than Allan ‘Skill’ Cole.”

Cobran said that Lattimore paraded his skills first at Railway FC in the National Division One competition before going on to play for other clubs such as Liguanea United, YMCA, and Cavalier in the Major League.

“Lattimore was a baller that enjoyed his football,” Cobran said. “He was a joker at times, and he is like the ‘Oliver Samuels’ of the football world.”

Former National player David Bernard Senior also spoke candidly about Lattimore, who he described as an unconventional forward.

“When I made my debut for Jamaica in 1969 at the Concacaf Championship, now known as the Gold Cup, Lattimore stood out in that tournament in Costa Rica,” Bernard said. “He played alongside Leonard ‘Chicken’ Mason in that national team that was coached by George Thompson.”

Lattimore also represented Jamaica at the Pan American Games in Colombia and Mexico in 1971 and 1975, respectively. Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts paid tribute to the former national player and wished the family and friends positive memories.

Lattimore, who was 73 years old, was described by his sister Carmen Lattimore as a loving and caring person.