A section of the crowd watches keenly, as does Member of Parliament Mike Henry, the first Premier League game hosted at Effortville earlier this week. - photo by Richard Bryan

A clear sign of how football can be a rallying point for citizens in a hot-bed community was on show during the midweek Digicel Premier League encounter in Effortville, Clarendon, between three-time champions Portmore and newcomers, Humble Lions.

Premier League games had been hosted in the parish at Jamalco, Monymusk and the now-defunct Woodside but on Wednesday, a new venue, Effortville, hosted its first Digicel Premier League game.

It was a grand occasion. By the time referee Dwight Royal blew the opening whistle at about 3:40 p.m., more than 1,500 people had settled into the newly renovated facility. That number would grow to top the 2,000 mark by half-time where a large sound system accompanied by a pretty vocal disc jockey ensured a party-like atmosphere.

The team's colours, mirroring its Rastafarian genesis, were everywhere. Vehicles of every kind were in abundance from the half-mile turn-in from Sevens Road, but their parking was well organised. The main thoroughfare was clear while official cars to the game were ushered in to the nearby Effortville Primary. Only a selected few, including those carrying media, security officials and the music systems, were allowed through the main gate.

Orderly fans

Inside, there was plenty of security but with very little to do. Every seating area was taken but the fans who stood were very orderly.

This was not the image previously band of Effortville, alias 'Farm'. Among those in attendance were Member of Parliament Mike Henry, councillors from that division and JFF President Captain Horace Burrell - whose helicopter was securely parked in an area clearly reserved next door at the primary school grounds.

"It's just more than a football match; it's a spectacle," local FA president Mike Ricketts told The Gleaner. "As you can see, almost all the community is here. The behaviour was exceptional even though there were tough calls in the match, and you could see that the team was motivated to play based on the support. If they can keep this up, it will be great not only for them but the parish."

Ricketts also said the JFF president was impressed.

"The basic facilities has met all of the JFF requirement and the minister has said his next plan is to erect a practice surface next down at the school. Captain Burrell was delighted. He said he couldn't recognise the place with all the changes," Ricketts disclosed.

The game ended in an exciting 2-2 draw.