OBITUARY
Swindon FC pay glowing tributes to Titus Okere, last survivor of Nigeria’s 1949 UK Tourists
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The remains of Titus Okere, the last of the 18 UK Tourists players has been laid to rest at the Bluebell Hill crematorium in Kent, in United Kingdom. According to his granddaughter, Frances Okere, “it was a lovely service. Swindon Town paid tribute to him and sent him a tie.”
Swindon Town FC was the first club that Okere played for when he joined in February 1953 as Nigeria’s first player to sign a professional football contract.
Frances also informed that: “My Nigerian family mentioned my grandad played a friendly against Brazil and there’s some video footage of it.”
Tribute by Swindon Town FC
A customized tie sent to Titus Okere family by Swindon Town FC
The high point of the funeral was the tribute paid by Swindon Town FC. It runs thus:
“Although he only made a few first-team appearances for Swindon Town. he was held in the highest regard by supporters and colleagues of the club alike.
“He had come to the club’s attention when he toured England with the Nigerian international team An outside left, he was nicknamed “the golden boy- because of his ability to create chances out of nothing.
“The credit for signing him for Swindon must go to Mr Louis Page. the manager. He was obviously keen to sign him as in January, two Board Meetings received reports on whether or not he would arrive by January 20th before he managed to get to this country and sign on in February as a twenty-five-year-old.
“It was typical of his sunny personality that he never complained about. not always being given a first-team chance. Swindon had a notoriously heavy pitch and it would have been impossible to wear the light footwear that he had worn playing for the Nigerian national team playing on it.
“One wonders if the light, flexible boots of today had been around. he might have been able to adapt in a way that the high, stiff leather boots worn at the time prevented.
“It is sad to report that a television company had asked for permission to be allowed to film Titus making a demonstration of how to play in bare feet, but the request was refused.
“Evidently, the Board, if not the manager, were adamant about not having a player not wearing conventional footwear.
“Another thing that may have affected his performance was the absence of his wife. He requested but was refused help in enabling his wife to come over to England. The Minute on this matter was to the effect that Titus would have to prove himself on the pitch first.
“One wonders if had the request been granted, he might have felt more wanted and been willing to accept that he could make a home for his family in this country and that it would be worthwhile to have to get used to wearing football boots.
“Despite only being a few months, he was on Swindon’s books: those who saw him in the reserves talk of a very quick and elusive winger who frequently got the better of his full-back but whose centres were not always capitalised on.
“Sadly, it was not enough to convince the directors to retain his services, and he was released on a free transfer on the April retained and released list.
“His appearances in the Swindon reserve team evidently impressed somebody in the Chippenham United camp.
“On leaving Swindon, he was recruited by Chippanharn United, where he made an immediate impact providing a first-minute cross in the opening game of the season that led to a goal. He was also to play in the F.A Cup for Chippenham later in the season.
“At the time of his passing, he was the oldest Swindon player to have played for his country, and although the number of people who saw him play is dwindling, the year of his passing has also seen the launch of a Swindon Town Football Museum, which will ensure his memory as a great
Ambassador for his country and skillful player is kept alive.”
The Nigerian sports media community has been thrown into mourning following the deaths of two respected football journalists and administrators, Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu.
Their passing has triggered tributes from colleagues across the country who remember them as dedicated professionals who made meaningful contributions to sports journalism and football administration.
Oyeleke’s Legacy in Broadcast Sports Journalism
Oyeleke, a former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, was widely respected for his work in broadcast sports journalism.
During his career, he worked with the Nigerian Television Authority, where he was part of the network’s sports reporting team, before later contributing to coverage on SuperSport.
As Lagos SWAN chairman, Oyeleke was known for his efforts to strengthen the professional standing of sports journalists and promote unity within the association.
Colleagues recall him as a calm, thoughtful voice within the sports media fraternity, always willing to mentor younger journalists entering the profession.
Chukwu Remembered in Nigerian Club Football
Tonex Chukwu, who also passed away, built a strong reputation within Nigerian club football circles, particularly through his work as media officer of Enyimba FC, one of the country’s most successful teams.
He later served as coordinator for Heartland FC, contributing to the organisation and administration of the club during his tenure.
Friends and colleagues describe Chukwu as a passionate football communicator who played an important role in bridging the relationship between clubs, supporters and the media.
Tributes Pour In
News of their deaths has prompted an outpouring of grief across Nigeria’s sports community, with journalists, club officials and administrators remembering both men for their commitment to the game.
Many have taken to social media and professional platforms to honour their memories and reflect on the impact they made within the industry.
As tributes continue to flow, colleagues say the legacies of Oyeleke and Chukwu will endure through the many journalists and football professionals whose careers and lives they touched.
The Nigerian sports community has also extended heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and loved ones during this difficult period.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Veteran French coach Jean Louis Gasset, who was fired at the last Africa Cup of Nations by Ivory Coast before they went on to win the trophy, has died aged 72, his former French club Montpellier announced on Friday.
Hosts Ivory Coast were sensationally beaten 4-0 by minnows Equatorial Guinea in their last group game at the 2023 edition in the biggest upset in tournament history, finishing third in their group.
Gasset was dismissed after the shock defeat but the Ivorians earned a reprieve as one of the best third placed finishers to qualify for the knockout rounds and eventually won the title under Gasset’s assistant Emerse Fae.
One month after returning to France, Gasset was appointed coach at Olympique de Marseille but stayed for only four months.
He went back to Montpellier last season but when they were headed for relegation, he was sacked in April.
Gasset spent most of his playing career at Montpellier, where his father had been one of the club founders.
The cause of death was not given.
Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Norbert Okolie, the Media Director of Rangers International FC, describing his passing as a major loss to the Nigerian sports community.
Okolie, a respected journalist and administrator, died over the weekend. Until his death, he served as the Media Director of the Enugu-based NPFL side and previously chaired the Enugu State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). He was also a member of the association’s national council.
In a condolence statement, NPFL Media Director Harry Iwuala paid tribute to Okolie’s professionalism and dedication, noting that he was one of the most outstanding media officers in the league.
“I have worked and am still working with NPFL clubs’ Media Directors, and Norbert was one of the few who distinguished himself in the way he engaged the public, especially the sporting media, on behalf of his club,” Iwuala said.
He added that Okolie’s background as a photojournalist enriched his work and elevated the quality of media content produced for the club, the league, and the wider public.
Iwuala extended heartfelt condolences to Okolie’s family, Rangers International, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and members of the NPFL Media Directors Association.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- WAFCON4 days ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- OBITUARY5 days ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- MLS1 week ago
Trump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
- World Cup5 days ago
‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
- World Cup4 days ago
Iraq’s World Cup Playoff in Doubt as War Disrupts Travel and Visa Processing
- FA Cup2 days ago
Eze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals
- WAFCON1 week ago
Ahead of WAFCON 2026, CAF Celebrates Super Falcons’ Enduring Legacy from Trailblazers to Torchbearers
- MLS3 days ago
Trump celebrates Messi