The eventuality of National sports Icon, with over twenty years of service to Grenada football was initially cemented by virtue of the history and tradition of sports in River Road.

Nixon Modeste’s rise to the pinnacle of football in Grenada was accommodated by a neighborhood that was not deterred by the negative connotations so readily and sometimes falsely associated with River Road.

His formative years included, just as about every young boy during that era, an initiation in sports that included all the major disciplines. Nixon’s introduction to sports was further enhanced by the proximity of his home to one of the major playing fields on the island, the Queen’s Park.

Nixon excelled at track- still the holder of the Senior Boys 400m record at his Alma Mater GBSS, at cricket as a wicket-keeper and as a footballer.

An enticing conundrum occurred at a very early age, when Nixon had to choose between representing Grenada as a cricketer or track athlete in the Secondary Schools games or as a footballer in Under-20 World-Cup qualifying competition. Cricket and track lost in that decision; to the benefit of football in Grenada, for what would be an unprecedented run for Nixon, as player, coach, mentor and role model.

After completing duties at GBSS, under the watchful and influential eyes of Victor Ashby, professional duties called and Nixon spent one year in Trinidad playing for Joe Public.

The perennial National Football Captain then went on a series of trial stints first in England with West Bromwich Albion, before moving to Longford FC in Ireland then back to England with Carlyle United. A series of misfortunes, that included change of management at one of the Clubs and another going into receivership, frustrated Nixon’s efforts to sign with any of the teams.

After a sterling performance at the 2002 Caribbean Cup Nixon was rewarded with another chance at professional football, this time with an offer from Jamaica Premier League team Portmore United.

Modeste quickly became one of the most popular players in the league, where he played for 8 years, serving as captain for 6 of those years and wining 3 championships.

After 8 years Nixon headed home to be close to his new-born and also because of a desire to give back to football in Grenada, to serve in any capacity that the administrators saw fit.

His vision didn’t match those of the footballing administration and so another overseas, professional stint was under-taken. This time Nixon joined National colleagues Patrick Modeste (his Brother) and Ricky Charles in Antigua for one year. He was promptly was made captain of  his team, won the championship and with nothing left to prove in Antigua, Grenada was once again to be his destination.

With all his professional commitments Nixon ensured he was always available for National duties, playing all positions for Grenada, including goalkeeper in a Caribbean Cup game against Barbados in Suriname. Interestingly the part-time (or almost no-time goalkeeper only conceded 1 goals in about 75 minutes of net-tending duties).

Nixon Modeste embodies the quintessential Grenadian spirit, that desire to be home to serve Country and to give back wherever and whenever possible. During his playing days in Jamaica there was talk about him representing that country, but that was never a consideration for the footballing stalwart who list River Road/Darbeau as his favorite places in Grenada.

The United Kingdom, Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil are some of the countries that have placed an immigration stamp on the Grenadian passport of Nixon- and he has remain committed to a pledge he made to himself that the passport will always be Grenadian. In fact, as recently as 2013 Portmore United has offered its Head Coaching job to the now-retired Nixon but he is adamant about remaining home, working through the Ministry of Sport for the development of football, while returning to his roots- presently coaching the River Road based Queens Park Rangers.

Nixon found his motivation, while representing Grenada, from the enthusiasm of the fans, especially at International games played outside of Grenada.

The cookouts, visit to the hotels by fans and the display of National colors at the games rivaled but never equaled the fervor of his River Road Posse at the National Stadium or even Tanteen.

Any discourse on Nixon would be incomplete without citing the major influences on his career; fellow River Road residents Wendell Wilson, Cheney Joseph, Franklyn Drayton and Junior Murray and footballing connoisseur Ashley “Ram” Folkes. Internationally, George Weah was an influential role model, not only for his on-field success, but more so for what he did off the field to better the lives of his Country-men.

Of course Nixon is also a fan of the ultimate football idol – Pele and meeting him in Antigua while playing in a Caribbean All-Star game is up there as far as highlights are concerned. Another memory that stands out for Nixon is a goal he scored for Grenada against Shaka Hislop in a game against Trinidad and Tobago; Shaka at the time was an English Premier League goal-keeper with West Ham United. Another moment that Nixon cherishes is a tally of 5 goals against Dominica in a Windward Island tournament. Yes! For the footballing heads that is a hat-trick and a brace in one game!

Off the field Nixon is surprisingly reserved, preferring home and family time, reading and cooking. Macaroni pie and baked chicken is his favorite dish to prepare before settling down to take in all the football action now available through cable television.

With his duties at the Ministry and Queen’s Park Rangers Anthony Nixon Modeste is seeking to assist in the development of local players not only on the field, but as importantly, growth as individuals to make worthy contributions to society. He is also hopeful that he can seek out opportunities that may exist outside of Grenada for the young, talented Grenadians he interacts with daily.

Remarkably, Nixon’s only regret is that he thought he could have given more to the National Team by playing for an additional 2 years instead of retiring in 2011. He is comfortable, however, that he gave his all and served his country with passion and pride.

 

Dexter Mitchell