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Former Trinidad and Tobago World Youth Cup goalkeeper and Joe Public coach Michael McComie passed away this evening at the Mt Hope Medical Centre, barely 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
McComie was 46 years old.
According to sources, McComie complained of a severe headache yesterday and was taken to the hospital by his brother where he was diagnosed. Medical staff allegedly suggested that the location of the tumour made the chances of a successful operation virtually impossible and he was believed to have received treatment to ease the swelling instead.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
His decline from that point was rapid.
A flamboyant goalkeeper in his hey-day, McComie came to national attention in the late 1980s with a talented St Augustine Secondary team led by gifted attacker, Jerren Nixon.
Always talkative, McComie was renowned for playing almost as a sweeper and, long before goalkeepers were expected to be handy with their feet, he was good enough to play in midfield or upfront on occasion at domestic level.
His remarkable reflexes and cocky personality caught the attention of Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team coach Bertille St Clair and, when the two island republic made its debut at a FIFA tournament in the Portugal 1991 World Youth Cup, McComie started in goal for their opening group match.
Trinidad and Tobago lost 2-0 to an Australia team that had future Aston Villa and Manchester United employee Mark Bosnich in goal. Dwight Yorke and Angus Eve also featured in that Trinidad and Tobago squad while Clayton Ince was on the substitutes bench.
As a senior player, McComie made just seven national caps as he found his path to international fame blocked by an array of talented goalkeepers including Shaka Hislop, Ross Russell, Kelvin Jack and Ince.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
However, he distinguished himself in the Pro League where he once cost San Juan Jabloteh a five-figure sum to prise him from rivals Joe Public. He went on to be a Pro League Coach of the Year at Joe Public while his last recognised posting was at FC Maracas for the 2016 season.
Apart from football, McComie was a ranked local table tennis player and served recently on the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association.
He left behind four daughters while his nephew, Mikhail McComie, led Fatima College’s goal scorers this season with seven items.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
What kind of cell phone did he use?
RIP McComie.
Suspect prolonged cell phone use
Sad. My condolences to the family.
So sad. May his soul rest comfortably in peace
No way
R.IP MC COMIE
… would have to watch re-runs to catch up!
Michael was special, a special person and very intelligent and debonair. He was a very versatile player and, a creative and inventive person. I knew Michael very well, from a 14-year old St. Anthony’s student-athlete and ongoing. He is a big loss to our football.
RIP Michael. My condolences to your family.
RIP Mike..condolences to your family.
Condolences to Mike’s family. May his family find comfort in the fond memories and Mike success throughout his life. From the Rochfords.
Outspoken passionate brave.a good friend rip Mike.
RIP
RIP Mike
Omg God rest his soul
May he Rest in Peace. Condolences to family, friends and the football fraternity.
sad. RIP
RIP Mike.
RIP
Condolences to Mike’s family and to the entire Trinidad and Tobago football fraternity…you did your part mike…tough coach tough player but you gave back…you were a special talent …good battles with a top goalkeeper,big rivalry with joe public, amazing match ups loved it all bro…gone to soon.!!!Only last month you came out to give back.to The moruga community …played an entire game amd today you are gone…sad sad day …rest in eternal peace mike!!!
RIP McComie.
WTF?? Wow. Condolences Mike, though we didn’t know each other personally, we were at ‘gustine together and keenly remember his exploits in goal for our Green Machine. Condolences to his family, and may he rest in eternal peace.
Condolences
I am so very sad. This was indeed a shocker. May he rest in eternal peace.
Condolences to all his family, loved-ones, colleagues and friends. 🙁
RIP!
Condolences to his family and friends…RIP bro….⚽
Condolences to the family…R.I.P….a good one gone too soon!!!
Omg may he RIP
RIP Michael
condolences to his family. RIP Mike
Sincere heartfelt condolences to the entire McComie clan. Grieve not over the 14 years that he did not enjoy and be thankful for the 46 that he did enjoy and used to contribute to our collective enjoyment.
Rip coachman
My condolences to the family of Mike .May he rest in peace
Condolencea
Condolences!
Condolences to his family this is a shocker!!
Sincere condolences to his family
Condolences to his family, from the entire Guaya/Mayaro community. May he RIP
RIP Mike
RIP
Mike and I go back to U14 days. Unbelieveable man… simply unread. RIP Mike.
Condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.
..R.I.P. Mike..
May he Rest in Peace. Condolences to family, friends and the football fraternity.
One of my favorite local football personality. I thought he could’ve contributed a whole lot more than he did from a coaching aspect in T&T.
RIP McComie