Rufus “Izon” Shepherd, one of the most dazzling football strikers in the 1980s and 1990s, is dead.
Shepherd, a former national player, who was believed to be in his late 50s, collapsed and died in Chapman Lane, the City, on Monday night.
Former Barbados captain and national coach Keith Griffith told the MIDWEEK NATION, he was sad to hear of Shepherd’s passing.
“He was out of the top drawer as a striker. In his time, he would have been up there with Patrick “Pottie” Hewitt, Peter “Woody” Haynes and Anthony “Charlie” Chase. He made his mark as a top striker, and as a wide midfielder player.
“He was also a very good coach and a disciplined player. He was strong in the air and had good pace,” he said.
Tall and fleet-footed, the dreadlocked Shepherd played Division 1 football for Deacons Farm, Notre Dame, Brittons Hill and Blackspurs, before moving on to make his mark as a coach for teams such as Brittons Hill, Youth Milan, Hillaby and Parish Land.
In the 2000 season, Shepherd was the leading forward in the Courts Powerhouse Masters Tournament, supplying several goals for Texaco Black Rock.
He was the brother of another top local footballer, Hubert Shepherd, who also represented Barbados. (MK)
