Jamaica’s most prolific goal-scorer, the late Luton Shelton has been posthumously awarded the Keys to the City of Kingston by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).
The KSAMC passed the resolution on April 13 to honor the international football player, who died on January 22, 2021. The Keys to the City of Kingston is the highest honour that can be bestowed by the KSAMC.
Up until the time of his death, Shelton still held the national goal-scoring record of 35 goals in 75 appearances and is still the only men’s football player to score four goals in his international debut for Jamaica.
The late Reggae Boy had a career spanning Harbour View, England, Russia, Turkey, Sweden and Norway.
Moving the Resolution at a sitting of the Corporation, Councillor for the Payne Land Division, Audrey Smith Facey, described Jamaica’s football hero as a humble individual.
“He was one who did not believe that he should be paid a higher salary than his fellow colleagues because he was a star. He believed in equal pay for equal work done. Luton actually walked away from a team because of that. Luton played to score the winning goal every time he went on that field and was, indeed, successful,” she said.
Ms. Smith Facey said the two most memorable goals for her were Jamaica versus the United States of America (USA), “the only time we ever beat the mighty USA, and the second was his final game Harbour View versus Tivoli”.
“Luton LS#21 Shelton was our King Pelé, our football legend, our number-one baller,” she said.
Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, said Mr. Shelton’s achievement will never be forgotten.
Luton Shelton was the recipient of several awards during his lifetime, including the RJR Sportsman of the Year, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Sport.
Mr. Shelton, who is survived by his wife, Bobbette, and three children, passed away at age 35 on January 22, 2021.
