Michael McComie

Michael McComie
Personal information
Date of birth (1972-04-22)22 April 1972
Date of death 4 December 2018(2018-12-04) (aged 46)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
St Augustine Secondary
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997 San Juan Jabloteh
1999–2004 Joe Public
International career
1991 Trinidad and Tobago U20
1998–2003 Trinidad and Tobago 5 (0)
Managerial career
Joe Public
2007–2008 Joe Public
Ma Pau Stars
Guaya United
Trinidad and Tobago U20
2016 FC Maracas
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael McComie (22 April 1972 – 4 December 2018) was a Trinidadian football player and coach.

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

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lasana Liburd (4 December 2018). "Ex-World Youth Cup goalie, McComie, passes away, after being diagnosed with brain tumour". Wired868. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Michael McComie". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Joel Bailey (5 December 2018). "Ex-TT goalie McComie passes away". Newsday. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  4. ^ Joel Bailey (16 July 2007). "Jabloteh held to 1-1 draw". Newsday. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. ^ "McComie relieved of 'Public' duties". SocaWarriors. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Former footballer McComie has passed". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.