THE GUYANESE football fraternity has been plunged into a state of mourning following the deaths of former Guyana Football Association (GFA) president Professor Aubrey Fitz Ronald Bishop O.R, C.C.H. B.Sc, LLM. and former British Guiana and Guyana National player, Winston De Harte.

The 81-year-old Bishop who was also a former Chancellor of the Judiciary died on Wednesday night last at 19:00hrs in hospital, where he had been a patient for the past three weeks. He was 81.
De Harte (a left winger like Bishop) was a member of the Thomas YMCA before it became Thomas United FC. He represented Guyana against Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados during his career at the national level.
President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson, expressed sincere condolences to the family and relatives of both Professor Bishop and De Harte noting that their services to the game during their respective times have laid the foundation for us all in the sport today.
“I recall the GFF honouring Bishop and four other stalwarts for exceptional service to the sport at its annual presentation in February of 2011. I recall him delivering a rousing presentation that had the attention of all present.”
Professor Aubrey Bishop, born in September, 1931 started his career as a player representing the Red Hammers F.C as a left winger and also represented Queen’s College and the BGCC. He played for Guyana against the British Fleet Air XI (England Army) in 1955.
A Barrister at Law by profession, in 1964 Bishop took over the Presidency of the-then Guyana Football Association (GFA) from Campbell Adams after serving as vice-president and his ascendency to this position was significant since it marked the commencement of the period of fundamental structural changes throughout the GFA.
The Constitution was immediately revamped.
In those years Georgetown did not have a Sub-Association, so he immediately instructed the seven First Division clubs to form a Sub-Association and join the other five Sub-Associations.
The Georgetown Football League (GFL) was formed hence the bias which was distinctly in Georgetown’s favour was removed and the GFA’s monthly meetings were rotated around the Sub-Associations.
During his tenure as president, Guyana entered its First World Cup with the team being encamped for approximately six months which entailed long periods away from home. The working players were given time off with pay and everyone received an allowance.
Mr Kenneth King the-then Minister of Economic Affairs sent out an order to all Corporations telling them that they must cooperate with the GFA. Ms Shirley Field-Ridley was the Minister of Sports.
The GFA had to borrow uniforms from clubs when the national team had matches and Bishop acquired the first set of uniforms when he attained the Presidency.
As preparation for the World Cup match against Suriname which was scheduled for GCC continued, a series of games were played against Bari FC of Brazil, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers of England, Trinidad & Tobago and French Guiana.
A noteworthy achievement during his tenure was when he invited Dr Joao Havelange, then president of FIFA to visit Guyana. However, when he (Havelange) arrived in Guyana Bishop had to vacate the presidency and Manny De Silva took over.
The reason was that Bishop was sworn in as a Supreme High Court Judge the day before Havelange arrived in Guyana and he (Bishop) thought it best in the interest of both portfolios to vacate the GFA office.
Professor Aubrey Bishop, a Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary leaves to mourn Dr Carole Bishop, his wife of 48 years, and three children.
After stepping down as president of the GFA, Bishop continued being a part of football through refereeing.
One of the most feared referees of his time, he achieved FIFA status, becoming the second person after Deryck Whitehead to attain such status.
Professor Bishop also played cricket, hockey and table tennis. He was such a versatile administrator; he was approached to be the president of the Guyana Cricket Board before Major General Norman McLean but did not accept.
He was also an excellent cricketer but his career probably prevented him from representing Guyana and the West Indies. He was Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the GCB.
Some of his football playmates were Stanley Moore (Sr), Ronald Bacchus, Dr. W. I. ‘Bud’ Lee, Desmond Marks and G. I. G. Delph.
Fitz Johnson and Col. Godwyn McPherson functioned as secretaries during his tenure and he praised McPherson aka ‘Mac’ as an excellent administrator. Some of the persons who played in his time were Compton Julian, ‘Squeeky’ Hinds, the late Winston de Harte and Renny Caleb. George Green and Lewis ‘Waterboat’ Weithers were the coaches of the national team.
Professor Bishop was a hockey referee and was approached to referee rugby but declined. He was also the first secretary of the Veterans Football Association which was formed in the late 1960s.
He was president of the Guyana Football Referees Association and also functioned as secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association under the presidency of Justice P. A. Cummings for a number of years.
A few years ago when the Guyana Football Referees Council was restructuring its constitution, Justice Bishop attended the meeting and made some valuable contributions.
On the recommendation of the Guyana Football Federation, Professor Bishop was accepted to serve a two-year term as one of the Arbiters on the Court of Arbitration in Sport in Zurich, Switzerland.
The GFF salutes the versatile, innovative and worthy statesman, Professor Aubrey Bishop and his colleague Winston De Harte. May their souls rest in peace!