“One of the most creative dribblers I’ve ever seen!” Tiger’s tribute to Leroy De Leon

“[…] A few years later, the Washington Darts joined the NASL and I decided to visit Trinidad on a recruiting trip in 1970. I signed Selris Figaro and reunited with Dilly.

“Dilly later enticed Warren Archibald to come on board. Strengthened by these three outstanding players, The Washington Darts (already fielding five other Trinidadians on the roster: Victor Gamaldo, Gerry Browne, Bertram Grell, Winston Alexis and myself) became the winningest team in the NASL.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago and Washington Darts legend Leroy De Leon.

“We introduced a new style of play to the American soccer fans, a high tempo counter-attacking style with Dilly punctuating the game with his hallmark, mesmerizing dribbling skills that made him an absolute menace to opposing defenders…”

Iconic former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Lincoln ‘Tiger’ Phillips pays tribute to late football legend Leroy De Leon:

‘Dilly’ meant so much to me, as a dear friend, teammate and one of the most creative and elusive dribblers I have ever seen.

I had the pleasure, as a senior member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Men’s Football Team, to be a mentor/ big brother, to Leroy when he was a schoolboy sensation representing St Benedict’s College—undoubtedly the most skillful of the secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago at that time.

The famous St Benedict’s College team of 1966. Standing (left to right) are Lawrence ‘Fred’ Rondon, Kenney ‘KJ’ Joseph, Warren ‘Laga’ Archibald, Leroy ‘Dilly’ DeLeon, and coach Americo Brunner.
Wilfred ‘Bound to score’ Cave (second from right), Jan Steadman (far right) are seated.
(via TT Football History.)

I had the misfortune, however, of playing against Dilly in a North vs South Football Classic where he and Warren Archibald made me look like Swiss cheese.

After the 4-0 drubbing, Leroy left to play pro ball for the New York Generals of the newly formed North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1967. The following year, I joined fellow NASL club, Baltimore Bays.

Unfortunately both franchises folded at the end of the season and I became the head coach of The Washington Darts in the American Soccer League (ASL). Leroy returned to Trinidad.

A few years later, the Washington Darts joined the NASL and I decided to visit Trinidad on a recruiting trip in 1970. I signed Selris Figaro and reunited with Dilly.

Photo: Washington Diplomats playmaker Leroy De Leon (left) hurdles an opponent during NASL action in 1975.
(via NASL.)

Dilly later enticed Warren Archibald to come on board. Strengthened by these three outstanding players, The Washington Darts (already fielding five other Trinidadians on the roster: Victor Gamaldo, Gerry Browne, Bertram Grell, Winston Alexis and myself) became the winningest team in the NASL.

We introduced a new style of play to the American soccer fans, a high tempo counter-attacking style with Dilly punctuating the game with his hallmark, mesmerizing dribbling skills that made him an absolute menace to opposing defenders.

Our playing careers would eventually take us to different places. Dilly left his mark with various other football clubs throughout the US and I stayed in Washington to become the head soccer coach of Howard University.

Leroy De Leon represents the San Francisco Earthquakes in 1977.

That Washington Darts team, laden with players from Trinidad, left a lasting impression in the United States and local soccer history, thanks in no small way, to Leroy De Leon.

Dilly, your loving memories will live with us forever. You left a lasting legacy to us all.

Rest well!

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