Caption – Larry “Charro” Bennett at far left standing in back row with 1978 Belize Selection to Mexico (pic courtesy “Sports, Sin And Subversion” by Evan X Hyde)
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 6, 2022
Even while former Berger 404 defender Larry “Charro” Bennett was already a week in KHMH, we received word that former Landivar sweeper and captain, Clarence “Willie” Williams had passed in Florida, USA.
Willie reportedly had recently suffered a stroke, and was in rehab when he suffered a second stroke and passed on Thursday, May 26.
Charro had been ailing for a few months and was hospitalized on May 19 at KHMH where he passed on Friday, June 3.
Charro played flank defense on a number of Belize City championship teams, starting with the 1974-76 Berger 404 back-to-back Belize City football champions, later with champions Chito’s Rangers, and he was also a member of that memorable Belize selection that travelled undefeated in 5 games played in Mexico back in 1978. Willie was the sweeper/captain of a tough defence that carried Landivar to a number of championships in the late 1960s and early 1970s, even while their striking force was not formidable, winning many a 1-nil game. Willie may have migrated to the US sometime after their last Landivar championship in 1974.
Our sincere condolences from the sports desk to both their families.
Below we share a recent Facebook post by football fan Roger Bradley. While Roger’s post focused on Larry, who was known to be ailing at the time, he didn’t mention the Landivar sweeper, who was most likely Clarence “Willie” Williams. Willie was a few years older than Charro. Willie was the sweeper on an Amateur Sporting Club team that was reinforced with some players from Landivar and other teams for a trip to Agua Dulce, Vera Cruz in July (or August?) of 1972.
By Roger Bradley:
Larry Bennett was a defender by nature. He was a wall with “Salad Oil” with the Berger dynasty of the 1970’s and early 1980’s. They won about four championships together. However, I distinctly remembered what a game in what I believe was Larry’s first year with Berger 404 in the 1973-74 season. Landivar was the defending champs and during the match Larry literally marked the dangerous Landivar left winger Half-a-D Pascascio very hard. Every time the midfielder forwarded a pass to Half-a-D for a run through Larry was always alert and stopped Half-a-D. Half-a-D was sneaky and tricky. With ten minutes left in the game, lack of experience eventually took its toll on Larry. He took his eyes off Half-a-D one time too much and the latter got the run-through pass, and Half-a-D was too far ahead of Larry. Half-a-D went in all alone on the left side and smoked a low grounder past Bunucal. Landivar won 1-0.
Rest In Peace, brothers Larry “Charro” Bennett and Clarence “Willie” Williams.
Funeral arrangements for Willie are in the U.S., while we understand that Larry’s funeral will be held later this week or on the weekend.