THIRTY-five years ago, today, distinguished National footballer of the mid 70’s to mid 80’s, Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite established the Beacon FC.

Along with lots of players from Region 3, the ‘Player/Coach began a journey that reaped rewards, winning trophies and providing players for youth and senior national teams of Guyana.

In the beginning it was called YSM Beacon, but in 1992 the YSM, meaning Young Socialist Movement, was taken off.After competing in the Georgetown Football League’s division two in 1986 the team earned promotion to the Demico League division one in 1987.

Undaunted by a dismal debut season in the City’s top flight football where they ended at the bottom of the table they battled their way out of the relegation and promotion competition to avoid demotion.

Thereafter there was improvement season after season while garnering a reputation for an attacking and attractive brand of football.

The crowning moment for Beacon was winning the Demico League in 1995 followed up by capturing the prestigious Kashif and Shanghai annual nationwude KO on New years day 1996.

Among the club’s players of that era were: Claude Phillips, Mark Pollard, Rawle Prince, Dexter Cort, Ola Pedro, Andre Trotz, Wayne Dover, Julian Masdammer, Sherwayne Scott, Trilton Luke, Shawn Prince and brothers Martin and Mortimer Stewart. The year 1996 also brought honor to the club when Nigel Denny was appointed captain of the national U-19 team, a feat emulated 2 years later by son of coach Brathwaite, Kayode.

Over the years the club has gone through lots of changes with migration being chief among them, while the mal or non functioning of the Georgetown Football Association is another factor. Today as they celebrate 35 years of existing as a club congratulations are in order.(Ras Wadada)