Footballer, Christian, Looshan . . . Cyrille Regis was that and more!

From his first games with West Bromwich Cyrille Regis was both a favourite and a target for racism.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he FIFA World Cup 2018 started on Thursday and usually around this time the catchy theme songs, opening ceremonies and social media excitement make Caribbean people wish we had a competing team. Our local football matches visibly show that the talent is spirited here, and some do make it to the international scene. The rest are satisfied to participate vicariously before their TV screens or online.

But whether player or fan, Saint Lucians are always happy to see one of our own performing well overseas. And although his story reads like a fairytale, Cyrille Regis was just that—an international footballer who made his mark on and off the field, with close ties to Saint Lucia.

Cyrille was playing leisurely at 17 when he was scouted by John Sullivan for Molesey, a non-league club, and then was later bought by West Bromwich Albion in 1977. By 1978 West Brom was the first British football club to have three black players fielded simultaneously. Cyrille Regis was one, along with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson. They were nicknamed The Three Degrees. The trio is still referred to as players who changed the British football scene forever, having survived the racist abuses of the 1980s. Most recently, in 2012, The Three Degress were recognized with a ten-foot high statue in West Bromwich called “The Celebration”. The statue is not yet complete but Laurie Cunningham will not enjoy the unveiling either. He died in a tragic accident in 1978, a sad occurrence that led Cyrille to reconsider his spirituality and to walk with Christ.

Cyrille (right) with his friend and former teammate Brendon Batson during a visit to Saint Lucia.

During his career Cyrille scored 112 goals from 297 appearances with West Brom, and then 62 goals from 274 appearances with Coventry City Sky Blues. He earned himself five caps with the England national team, played briefly for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City before retiring in 1996. In 2008 he was awarded an MBE.

Cyrille lived most of his life in England but his father was Saint Lucian and, although he lived just one year of his childhood here, Cyrille kept in close contact with his aunts, uncles and cousins (many of whom came from Canaries). He also visited Saint Lucia at every opportunity. “He was a very private man,” said Christella, wife of Cyrille’s nephew. “Fame didn’t mean much to him; he would visit Saint Lucia and only a few would know he was here.” Christella shared fond memories about Cyrille and was helping him plan his 60th birthday, to be celebrated here at Spinnakers, surrounded by proud relatives. He also planned to deliver an inspirational presentation to local aspiring footballers.

Alas, Cyrille passed away on January 14, 2018 just weeks before his birthday. He was still in England. That day, Julia Regis and her husband, Cyrille, spent their Sunday in church and then went home. She didn’t know it would be the last time she would see his dimpled smile.

Cyrille’s death was abrupt and saddening for his family. In a tribute printed by the Birmingham Mail for his funeral, Julia zeroed in on Cyrille’s wish to spread the Christian gospel. Equally significant, a lengthy list of accomplished footballers offered their comments for print, reminiscing about Cyrille’s inspiration to them as black athletes.

Through his career during and after football, his charity work, his Christian lifestyle and his relationships, Cyrille was always described as forgiving, joyous, and loving.