Purple tide coming! - KC principal Myrie sends warning during Manning Cup title celebration

Principal of Kingston College, Dave Myrie, has put all other high schools in Jamaica on notice that his boys will be coming for more trophies this school year.

Myrie made the comments at 2A North Street yesterday morning as students, past students and well-wishers of the KC fraternity converged on the school's tennis courts to celebrate the school's 2018 ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title.

KC's 3-2 victory over neighbours St George's College last Friday ended the school's 32-year wait for the title and Myrie believes it has whet the appetite of the 'the Purples'' which could signal the beginning of a new dynasty in the school's rich history.

"There is something about KC. You see, once we start to win, God help everybody else," Myrie said firmly. "These boys have made us proud, and we want them to go on to greater strengths."

Before the victory on Friday, KC's last title in a premier high school competition came four years ago, when they won their 10th title in TVJ's Schools' Challenge Quiz. Their last major sport title came way back in 2009, when they outscored Calabar High School by half of a point to win their 32nd Boys' Champs title.

Needed the win

As was expressed by many KC faithfuls, the school needed this year's Manning Cup success and it was evident walking on the school's compound yesterday, as past students, some of whom attended the school more than half a century ago, turned up to celebrate. Chief among them was Queen's Counsel Churchill Neita.

Neita was a part of the Fortis Manning Cup team that won the title in 1958.

"This KC team is one of resilience; it is a team that demonstrates our motto, 'The brave may fall but never yield'. It is a team of character and discipline. Because in spite of the fact that we were trailing on two occasions, they came back because they despaired of getting the ultimate prize," Neita explained. "It is the strength, flexibility, determination, and resilience that characterise the KC spirit."

Neville Oxford, who was part of the 1965 team, which is regarded by many as the greatest schoolboy football team to have ever been assembled, was also brimming with joy.

"I am glad for these youngsters and what I am especially happy about is the fighting spirit; the never-say-die spirit. That is what champions are made of," Oxford said.

Surprisingly, Oxford believes that this year's Manning Cup team may be better than his teams in the '60s in one area.

"They have more fighting spirit," he said. "The never-say-die spirit, they espoused that well. In terms of the qualities of player, we were better. We beat all the teams in Division One, and when we came to Manning (Cup), it was a mere formality. We beat teams, 9-0, 7-0. I remember St George's got 6-0."

KC will face daCosta Cup champions Clarendon College for the Olivier Shield title in the coming days.