Marvin Chin, goalkeeper in STATHS' historic 1987 Manning Cup victory, dies at 57

Marvin Chin, the former St Andrew Technical High School goalkeeper who helped the school capture the 1987 Manning Cup, died on May 19. He was 57.

His daughter, Marvilesa, told Observer Online that he passed away from asthma-related complications while he was being transported to the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Chin, who came from Elletson Flats, also represented Constant Spring in the National Premier League. His name, however, is most closely tied to the STATHS side that secured the school's first and only Manning Cup title.

STATHS beat a highly fancied Excelsior High team 6-1 in the final at the National Stadium. The team, coached by Lebert Halliman, was powered by Morris Cyrus, whose three goals led the rout. Cyrus also scored in a 1-0 second-leg win over Rusea's High School, a result that delivered the Olivier Shield to STATHS.

Carl Sewell, a defender on that STATHS team, was among Chin's nearest friends. The two later played together for Constant Spring in both the National Premier League and Masters League.

“At school, Marvin was extremely quiet; he wasn’t a vocal goalkeeper. But at Constant Spring, that was where his true character came out,” Sewell said.

Chin worked as an electrical technician, and also served as a sales representative with Coffee Express Company in Kingston. Outside of that work, he was chief selector for the Marvin Chin Movement sound system.

He is survived by his wife, Denise; daughters Marvilesa and Shamar; two brothers; and two sisters.