All set for 40th staging of Bell-Ziadie matchday
Published:Saturday | September 27, 2025 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
The 40th staging of the Bell-Ziadie Memorial football matches, takes place on Heroes Day, Monday, October 20, at its traditional home, Winchester Park, on the grounds of St George’s College, the alma mater of the two local football legends.
At the launch, at the Football Factory on Thursday, the organisers also paid their respects to a number of other local football legends, who passed during the course of this year.
Event organiser, Clive Campbell, noted that the country lost five legends, four footballers and a boxer, in 2025.
“In 2025 we have lost four stalwarts of football in Jamaica. First Geoffrey Maxwell, a successful former coach and player of Excelsior high school, various clubs and national teams.
“Jerry Murray, former Kingston College, All Manning and Real Mona player. Wilfred ‘Vernon’ Bell, brother of ‘Jackie’ Bell, former Manning Cup player for Kingston College and Major League for Santos and who also coached Tivoli to the local premier league title. Kenneth ‘Bop’ Campbell former Vere Technical, Santos and national team player and just recently Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, the youngest player, at age 16 years old, to play for Jamaica. Cole played against a Brazilian team,” he said.
“We also lost Mike McCallum who was not a footballer. But was one of Jamaica’s treasures who did us proud through his boxing career.”
‘They were family’
Lorna Bell, widow of ‘Jackie’ Bell, also paid tribute to Vernon Bell, Campbell and Cole.
“I would like to honour three young men, who left us far too soon. I speak of Vernon Bell, Allan ‘Skill’ Cole and ‘Bop’ Campbell. They were not just footballers, they were family in every sense of the word, representing the Santos jersey and representing Jamaica with pride.
“They were coached by Jackie Bell and shared the field with their dear friend and team mate Dennis Ziadie.
“Their passion for football and their spirits live on in our hearts, and may their souls rest in peace,” she commented.
“On behalf my family, I extend heartfelt thanks to Clive (Campbell) and his team for organising another memorial game. It has kept Jackie’s and Dennis’ names alive through the sport they loved most.”
She added that this year’s honorees, which include former players Douglas ‘Dougie’ Bell, Andrew Price and Neville Granville, former FIFA referee Karl Tyrrell and Ronaldo Watson, JFF’s and Portmore’s equipment coordinator, were ‘perfect choices’.
The teams that will be competing on Heroes Day are Masters and Celebrities Invitational, Christian Ambassadors, St George’s College Invitational and Referees.
Proceeds from the venture will be used to purchase laptops and printers for basic schools islandwide.
There will be no entrance charge at this year’s event. However, patrons will be asked to make a donation and will receive a ticket, from which gate prizes can be won..
“The Bob Marley Foundation will have gate prizes, but you have to donate to get a ticket,” Campbell stated.