Holy Family's captain Kareem Manning (left) is congratulated by his coach, Percival 'Itesman' Cordwell, after scoring against St Aloysuis in the CB Chicken Primary Schools semi-final at Constant Spring Sports Complex on January 24, 2006. Cordwell passed away on Monday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

He has been described as a devoted soldier to the development of young, inner-city footballers.

Percival 'Itesman' Cordwell was one of those coaches who gave football his all. After more than 35 years of dedication and loyalty to the sport, Cordwell parted company with the football fraternity Monday afternoon.

The former Kingston College Old Boy died hours after he was hospitalised at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). He had suffered from a mild heart attack about a month ago and went there on Monday after complaining about pains in his chest.

Commanded respect

"He was like the dean of discipline at school. I remember when we had some boys who were getting out of hand, 'Itesman' was the one who dealt with them for us. He commanded a lot respect in the community," an emotional Cecile Palmer, said yesterday.

Palmer is the principal of Holy Family Primary School, where Cordwell was the football coach for more than 20 years.

It was a sad day at school yesterday, as the tears flowed for a man who was well loved by his community.

"His death has closed a chapter of Holy Family Primary School," stressed Palmer.

In his lifetime, Cordwell won the Insport primary schools football competition on numerous occasions with Holy Family. He was asked to coach the popular all-primary football team on numerous occasions.

As a player, Cordwell repre-sented House of Dread, Santos, Black Youth FC and True Love, among other teams.

He was the founding coach of the Rae Town Minor League team in the mid-1980s. During that time, he moulded a group of schoolboys to represent the Rae Town community in KSAFA Syd Bartlett competition.

He coached Rae Town's senior team for many years before shifting his focus to the younger talent in the community.

Among some of the successful players he coached as youngsters are Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson and Claude Davis, who now ply their trade in the United Kingdom, Christopher Jackson and Kasai Hinds (Tivoli Gardens), Oneil 'Chippy' McDonald (Boys' Town), Kevin King (Arnett Gardens), Kavin Bryan (Harbour View) and Desmond 'Gaddafi' Smith (formerly of Hazard United).

'Father to many'

"He will be missed. I remember the days when Itesman could seen be walking round town with over 30 youth behind him going to play a football match," said Lebert Halliman, a former national youth coach, who currently coaches Excelsior High School's Manning Cup team. "He was like a father to many. Football has lost a great son."