’98 Reggae Boyz ‘in a mood’ over physio’s passing
Published:Thursday | March 14, 2024 | 12:09 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
FOLLOWING THE passing of former physiotherapist of the senior men’s national football team, Dr Charlie Roberts, tributes from former players and current administrators have poured in for a man known for showing great care and having an infectious personality.
Dr Roberts was said to be a vital member of the backroom staff of the Reggae Boyz, who qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Among those who shared sentiments about the late Dr Roberts was president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, who labelled him loyal and committed.
“He was always on call, ensuring that the players returned to the field soon after injuries. He was outstanding in this regard, as his loyalty and commitment to the cause was unquestioned. To his wife Denise, family and friends, please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. May his soul rest in peace,” said Ricketts.
Former national defender Linval Dixon, who was part of the Reggae Boyz 1998 World Cup squad, said the team enjoyed being around the respected physiotherapist.
“He was a wonderful human being, as he was very jovial. When we visited his office at Haining Road, we didn’t want to leave because we had a lot of fun there. To hear the news puts me in a mood where you weren’t expected to receive that and it’s really sad. I want to send condolences to his family as the entire Reggae Boyz (1998) squad is sad about this, but we should remember the fun times we had as he liked to be around us,” said Dixon.
Dixon also revealed that it was Dr Roberts who helped him recover from a series of knee injuries that plagued him throughout the 1998 World Cup campaign.
“He was close during that time as he prescribed what to do and how we were going to treat it. After coming back from the World Cup and doing the operation, he was ‘the man’ along with his wife who helped me get through post-surgery,” Dixon shared.
Former captain of the Reggae Boyz team, Warren Barrett, also said that Dr Roberts played a huge role in the team’s World Cup campaign, as he made the Reggae Boyz environment somewhere you wanted to be.
“One thing that will stay with me was that infectious smile that he had and that is something that you wanted to see from a staff member. It’s sad to know that another member of the local football fraternity has passed, but this one really hits home. I just want to express my deepest condolence to the rest of his family, medical fraternity and the rest of the football fraternity islandwide. He was a big part of the historic qualification process for France in 1998, may his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Barrett.