Described as a great loss to cricket fraternity

DESPITE some early morning showers of blessings, the Central Assembly of God Church on Church and East Streets Georgetown overflowed with family, friends and colleagues of the late Clyde Butts in a moving funeral service which lasted almost three hours yesterday.

Tears flowed freely as a succession of emotional tributes were given by members of the congregation.
Former National cricketers, including Guyana’s most successful Captain Leon Johnson, formed an arch with their bats as the former West Indies off-spinner and selector’s casket was taken from the Church by GCB’s President Bissoondyal Singh and GCB executive members.

Butts who died in a vehicular accident on Friday December 8, 2023 at age 66, was given a fantastic farewell to the great beyond.

The body of Butts, who played in seven Tests and took 384 First-Class wickets from 87 matches, was viewed at the Church from 09:00 hours to 10:00 hours before an impactful and uplifting sermon was conducted by Bishop John Smith.

The Funeral Service commenced at 10:00 hours and the packed Church included Sports Minister Charles Ramson, Chairman of the NSC Kashif Mohammed, high-ranking GCB officials including President Singh, representatives of the GCA and it’s clubs, several present and former players including Clayton Lambert, Sidney Matthews, Mark Grenville, Victor Benjimen, the Harper brothers (Mark & Roger) Ramnaresh Sarwan, Colin Stuart, Chris Barnwell, Lennox Cush, Steven Jacobs, West Indies Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith and representatives of the Commentary team who worked with Butts on radio.

Also present yesterday was former cricket scorer for Radio and former National U-17 Coach, Bharat Mangru who was a very close friend of Butts and came in from Canada for his funeral.
An opening prayer was given by Reverend Steve Adams while the opening hymn was sung by pastor Matthew Kissoon, who paid his tribute to Butts on behalf of the commentators.

There were heart-breaking emotions from the Butts’ clan which included his wife Marika along with the many others whose lives had been touched by Butts, who was born on July 8 1957 in Perseverance, Mahaicony, as tributes were given.

Butt’s son Collis read virtual tributes from former West indies Cricketers Keiron Pollard, Dwane Bravo and Phil Simmons.
There was also a rendition of ‘Going up yonder’ by Kesha Thomas which brough tears from the eyes of many in congregation. A touching poem was recited by Annette Prince while a heart wrenching tribute was done by Butt’s eldest nephew, Howard Butts who broke-down during his presentation.

GCA’s Vice-President Roger Harper, who was Butts’ Captain in 1987 and 1993 when Guyana won both the First-Class and 50-over titles, provident highlights of the career of Butt’s, which began at DCC.
Butts then joined the Guyana Police Force in 1976 but because of the presence of the late off-spinner Willaim Jeffery, Butts was sent to play for Berbice Police.

The Demerara, Guyana and West Indies off-spinner, widely regarded as Guyana’s best off-spinner after Lance Gibbs, moved to Everest and East Coast before settling at GNIC, where he played, until he 61.
Butts who received a Medal of Service award for his services to Guyana in the field of Sports, also severed as a West Indies Selector and Coach.

He was also encouraged by cricket Broadcaster Naim Chan to be a ‘comments-man’ after his retirement from First-Class cricket in 1994, which he did from 1995 until October this year during the 50-over senior Inter- County tournament.

The death of Butts, who leaves to morn his wife, five children and the entire West Indies cricket fraternity, was described as a great loss for cricket in Guyana since he was very knowledgeable about the game while remaining humble.
His body was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in the village of his birth. Gone but not forgotten…RIP Clyde Godfrey Butts.