Michael McComie
Michael McComie (22 April 1972 – 4 December 2018) was a Trinidadian football player and coach.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 22 April 1972 | ||
Date of death | 4 December 2018 46) | (aged||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Youth career | |||
St Augustine Secondary | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1997 | San Juan Jabloteh | ||
1999–2004 | Joe Public | ||
National team | |||
1991 | Trinidad and Tobago U20 | ||
1998–2003 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
Joe Public | |||
2007–2008 | Joe Public | ||
Ma Pau Stars | |||
Guaya United | |||
Trinidad and Tobago U20 | |||
2016 | FC Maracas | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
As a player, McComie played as a goalkeeper at both professional and international levels. He later became an award-winning coach.
Playing career
Club career
As a youth McComie played for St Augustine Secondary, and was recognised for his ability in what was described as a "talented" team led by Jerren Nixon.[1] He played senior football in the TT Pro League for San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public.[2] His transfer between the clubs involved a five-figure transfer fee.[1] He also played indoor football in the United States.[3] He retired from playing in 2004.[3]
International career
McComie represented Trinidad and Tobago under-20s at the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship.[1] He earned five caps for the senior team.[2] His international career was hampered by the availability of other Trinidadian goalkeepers such as Shaka Hislop, Ross Russell, Kelvin Jack and Clayton Ince.[1]
Playing style
McComie was renowned for his playing forward of the traditional goalkeeper's position acting almost as a defensive sweeper at a time when relatively few goalkeepers chose to play the ball in the outfield; he also played on occasion as a midfielder or striker.[1]
Coaching career
McComie worked as an assistant coach to the Trinidad and Tobago under-23 team before returning to Joe Public for the second time in July 2007.[4] He was replaced by Keith Griffith in July 2008, but continued to work with the Trinidad and Tobago under-17 team.[5] While with Joe Public he won the TT Pro League Manager of the Year award.[1]
He also managed Ma Pau Stars, Guaya United and the Trinidad and Tobago under-20 team.[3][6] He ended his career with FC Maracas in 2016.[1]
Later life and death
McComie also played table tennis, and served on the board of the Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association.[1]
McComie died on 4 December 2018, at the age of 46, from a brain tumour which was diagnosed only 24 hours previously.[1] He had four daughters.[1]
References
- Lasana Liburd (4 December 2018). "Ex-World Youth Cup goalie, McComie, passes away, after being diagnosed with brain tumour". Wired868. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "Michael McComie". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Joel Bailey (5 December 2018). "Ex-TT goalie McComie passes away". Newsday. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Joel Bailey (16 July 2007). "Jabloteh held to 1-1 draw". Newsday. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "McComie relieved of 'Public' duties". SocaWarriors. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "Former footballer McComie has passed". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.