Eversley 'Bo' Lewis never fulfilled his enormous potential as a pro footballer in the U.K. Yet the legacy he left behind in the Scottish game inspired others to pursue professional careers abroad. Lewis, the fourth eldest of nine siblings, turned pro with Scottish side Aberdeen FC on his 17th birthday - not long after cutting his teeth on the domestic scene at then powerhouse Young Men's Social Club.
He recalled: "One day out of the blue my brother (Leroy) told me I was going to Scotland to play football. I told him I wasn't going anywhere because I was just playing football for the love of it. I really didn't know what to say or do, but I decided to go.
"As a 16-year old who had never been away from the island and never been on a plane before, it was quite an experience. Eventually I arrived at Glasgow Airport and was met by Aberdeen manager Tommy Pearson. I was amazed at the sheer size of the airport and city. It was a bit overwhelming as Bermuda was such a small place in comparison."
Playing at a much higher level in Scotland also proved to be an eye-opening experience for the young Bermudian.
He added: "It was a big jump for me. Playing in the Scottish climate was a challenge. I had never even seen snow before, let alone play football in it.
"It was always raining and very damp and so it was challenging playing in these conditions coming from a sunny place like Bermuda."
Growing up in Bermuda, Lewis, who celebrated his 65th birthday last Saturday, competed in track and field that helped sharpen his football skills.
He added: "I had a lot of pace because I did high jump and ran in the hurdles and relay. My manager (Pearson) always told the press that I had quick feet and was hard to pin down.
Quickness
"That was my way of getting around the bigger and stronger players in Scotland, though every so often you got nailed. They (opponents) used to say 'next time you come this way I am going to put you in the air'."
Lewis made his debut for Aberdeen in 1961, the same year he scored Social Club's consolation in a 2-1 FA Cup final loss to a PHC Zebras team that included elder sibling Leroy 'Nibs' Lewis.
Lewis was only 15 years of age but by then had already shown enough promise to convince late Bermuda Cricket Board president Alma 'Champ' Hunt he could make it in Scotland.
At the time Hunt was playing cricket with Aberdeenshire CC and relied on his contacts to arrange for young Lewis to have trials in Scotland.
He said: "It was a huge thrill for me and I thought I was in another world. When I stepped out to Pittodrie for the first time I was amazed to see the pitch was so flat like a billiard table."
Though his playing career in the U.K. lasted only two years, Lewis cherished each and every moment of it once he acclimatized to the cooler weather conditions.
He added: "Everybody was good to me in Scotland. No matter where I played everyone seemed to take to me. It was probably my speed."
Sadly, though, homesickness would take its toll on the gifted left-winger who eventually threw in the proverbial towel before making a first team appearance.
To this day Lewis doesn't regret walking away from a career in Scotland that promised so much.
He said: "I was extremely homesick and the team management was unable to let me go home for a visit."
Further compounding matters was Lewis' total isolation from his family and friends who he had no contact with back in Bermuda.
He added: "That really pissed me off. Nobody, not even Mr. Hunt, called to check on me. Even George Best went home because he was homesick, but his club (Manchester United) sent someone to Ireland to talk him into coming back. I wasn't as fortunate and communications were not what they are today."
Despite turning his back on the Scottish game before his career really blossomed, Lewis had done enough to inspire others back home to try their luck abroad.
Former West Ham striker Clyde Best, who holds Lewis in high esteem, was one such player.
The former Hammer recalled: "Eversley was a role model for me. When he left Bermuda to go to Aberdeen that's what made me want to play overseas as well.
"People like Bo, Junior Mallory and Cal (Bummy) Symonds all inspired me to want to do the same thing.
"Bo is a very nice fellow but the sad thing is that most people in Bermuda don't know much about him because he has lived overseas for many years. I chat with him on the phone every now and then.
"He was a fantastic player and a humble person - that's what I really admired most about him. He wasn't big headed or anything like that and he knew how to play the game."
Another attribute that made Lewis stand out amongst the crowd was the dignified manner in which he carried himself - both on and off the field.
"Once you get respect that way, you will go a long way," he added.
After severing ties with Aberdeen Lewis returned home before eventually going off to Canada, where he presently resides, to play in the Eastern Canadian League.
These days the former footballer keeps close tabs on his Aberdeen colleagues as well as the progress of other Bermudians trying to make their mark at the pro level, such as Ipswich Town's Reggie Lambe and Lincoln City's Khano Smith.
He said: "It makes me feel proud to know there are Bermudians playing at a higher level."
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Comment by:
Kevin Stirling
Great to see 'Bo' recalled in this way; he was a pioneer in many ways and it was great to see him when he was over in Aberdeen last year.
