Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts has paid heartfelt tribute to Boysie Nicholson, the veteran National player and Reno FC stalwart, following his passing earlier this week after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Ricketts hailed Nicholson as a “tower of strength” in Jamaica’s football history, recognizing his significant contributions to both club and country.
“Boysie had a strong personality, which worked well for both club and country. He was a tower of strength in midfield,” Ricketts said in his statement. “He has been ailing for some years, and the Father has called him home. We hope he will find eternal rest.”
An iconic figure in Westmoreland’s football scene
Nicholson, affectionately known as ‘Bengeleng,’ was an iconic figure in Westmoreland’s football scene and played a crucial role in Reno FC’s golden era in the 1990s. His contributions helped the club secure three National Premier League titles, and his influence extended beyond the field as he transitioned from player to coach, mentoring a generation of footballers who would later represent Jamaica on the national stage.
Reno FC’s former goalkeeper and current Westmoreland Football Association President, Everton Tomlinson, fondly remembered his teammate as a fearless and combative player. “He was one of those combative midfielders who was ready to give 100 per cent every time,” Tomlinson told the Jamaican media. “Regardless of how hostile the crowds were in some of our away games, he was not one to back down. He was one of those never-say-die players.”
Nicholson’s legacy lives on through the players he inspired, including former national stars Caple ‘Corntail’ Donaldson, Michael ‘Jim Dandy’ Graham, and Aaron ‘Wild Boy’ Lawrence, many of whom looked up to him during their early days with Reno FC. Tomlinson emphasized that Nicholson was instrumental in shaping the football talent of western Jamaica, which contributed to Jamaica’s historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup.
A lasting mark in schoolboy football
Beyond his contributions at the club level, Nicholson made a lasting mark in schoolboy football, guiding Frome Technical High School to victory in the 2003 daCosta Cup, a coveted title in rural Jamaican football. Even in his later years, his passion for the game remained undiminished as he continued to play and coach, sharing his wealth of knowledge with young players.
Nicholson’s passing marks the fifth loss of a Reno FC stalwart in recent years, following the deaths of fellow national players Caple Donaldson, Calvin ‘Wappy’ Valentine, and the Pringle brothers, Desmond ‘Big Head’ Pringle and Cecil ‘Silla’ Pringle.
As Jamaica mourns the loss of a true football legend, Nicholson’s enduring legacy as a mentor, player, and coach will forever remain a cornerstone of Jamaican football.
 President Michael Ricketts has paid heartfelt tribute to Boysie Nicholson, the veteran National player){kind=link}