November is a very special month for Barbadians, for it is the month we celebrate who we are as a people and a nation, while paying respects particularly to the great men and women who worked proudly and tirelessly that we can boast of many accomplishments.
Loop Sports dedicate this feature to one of Barbados’ football unsung heroes who recently passed away after a long battle with illness.
Kirk Anthony Cox, one of Barbados’ outstanding midfielders in the 90’s and early 2000s, has joined God’s renowned roster where his charisma, passion and loving spirit is sure to decorate heaven’s fields.
Cox, known for his unmatched diligence and combative performances in the middle of the pitch, first came to national football recognition as a 14-year-old student at the St Lucy Secondary School.
The diminutive midfielder was a fixture in the youth national team but also a key member to his home town team Victoria, who he represented at the youth level and in the popular St Peter League.
Black Bess, born and raised, Cox was a key player in the neighbourhood’s football club, Technico FC. While still a school boy, Cox was able to help his club to promotion from Divisions four, three and two, before he ventured further north to join former schoolmate and later national captain Norman Forde at Youth Milan FC.
“Coxy”, as some would refer to him, developed steadily and was a part of a Youth Milan team which started to earn national admiration due to their technical quality, work ethic and discipline; qualities which were individually embedded in Cox.
Cox’s contribution was so outstanding that he eventually was invited to a tryout at Trinidadian Pro-League club Joe Public, where he was offered a contract but at a salary which was deemed insufficient and illogical to accept.
After consistent performances for club and country, a national championship at the senior level, eluded the ambitious player and he subsequently made his way from country to town, where he joined local powerhouse, Claytons Kola Tonic Notre Dame in 1998.
It was here that Cox reached his peak. Dominating and dictating in the midfield and having a number of memorable battles with his former teammate Forde, which was delightful to watch for any football fan.
Cox won 10 trophies while at the Dames; which included three double-crown titles in 2002, 2004 and 2008.
Cox’s first season heroics at the Bayland outfit led to a senior team debut in 1999, where he went on to earn 19 caps and score two goals during a six-year international career.
When Cox retired from club football in 2008, many were surprised, for at 31 he still displayed a high level of fitness, technical and tactical prowess.
However, it was then his health challenges began to affect him.
According to his long-time friend, confidant and former workmate Peter Caddle, one day the former electrical engineer at Banks Breweries fainted at work and there was great concern because Cox was very fit, healthy and did not drink alcohol or used drugs.
Cox spent several years being treated by various medical professionals, an experience that maybe daunting for some, but not “courageous Kirk”.
He was determined to fight his illness and raise his son, Khimani, who has seemingly followed in his father’s footsteps, as he represented the country in the Concacaf U15 Championships last summer.
Caddle said Cox’s love for helping others was not inhibited by his illness and both of them along with former national player Elvin Griffith, would assist clubs in the western areas via some technical training sessions and dialogue with the youth in the communities.
Loop Sports celebrate the life of 43-year-old Kirk Cox, formerly of Black Bess, St Peter, son of the north and one of Barbados bravest soldiers.
The funeral for Cox is scheduled for Saturday November 29, 2020 at 10 a.m. the St Peter Parish Church.
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