Bermuda football is mourning the death of another one its greatest ambassadors.

Young Men’s Social Club, PHC, Philadelphia Atoms and Bermuda forward Fred “Pinks” Lewis passed away on his 74th birthday on October 22.

He is the brother of fellow Social Club players Leroy “Nibs” Lewis, Mal Lewis and Eversley “Bo” Lewis, who also had a professional stint with Scottish side Aberdeen. His son Troy played with Dandy Town and grandson Zeiko was a professional in the United States, playing for Charleston Battery and Sacramento Republic among others.

Like all youngsters growing up in his neighbourhood, Lewis groomed his skills playing football next to Young Men’s Social Club’s premises on Princess Street, Hamilton.

“All the guys in our neighbourhood on Princess Street started at Young Men’s Social Club. Before they extended the building there was a little field there and that’s where we used to play,” Eversley, 81, told The Royal Gazette.

“We would play five-a-side, maybe up to five goals and who wins stays on. Young Men’s Social Club was the neighbourhood thing to help keep all the kids out of trouble, so we played football, cricket, just about everything there also.”

Fellow sibling and former Bluebirds forward Mal Lewis, 77, added: “Pinks played football for Central School and Berkeley Institute and joined Social Club’s junior team a little while after me.”

Lewis was a member of Social Club’s junior team that lost to PHC in the inaugural Crystal Palace competition in 1966, the team also included fellow legend Larry “Cracks” Darrell.

“Pinks started his career at Young Men’s Social Club around 9 or 10 years old and then we played in the Crystal Palace in 1966 when PHC beat us 3-2. The trophy was donated by Sir Stanley Matthews and that was the very first Crystal Palace that was played in Bermuda,” former midfielder Darrell said.

“Pinks moved up the seniors before me at 16 and was playing with John Roach, Mackie Simons and a few other players who were going out of the game. Pinks was coming into it as a young man and was well before his time.

“He was a very good, intelligent player and a great dribbler. You couldn’t beat him over 50 yards, he was really quick with exceptional control and had a good brain.”

After establishing himself in Social Club’s senior team, Lewis embarked on a professional career in the United States in the mid-1970s with North American Soccer League team Philadelphia Atoms, whose squad also contained fellow Bermuda legend Ralph “Gumbo” Bean, who passed away last year.

Former Washington Diplomats midfielder Gary Darrell fondly recalls playing against his fellow countryman at that level.

“We played against each other a couple of times over there and I was surprised Pinks didn’t stay around longer because he did well while he was there,” he said.

“We also faced each other on a number of occasions when he was playing locally with Social Club. What I remember most about those games was Social Club’s forward line, the fastest forward line in the island in Pinks and his brother Mal, Webster Mills and Anthony “Toe” Dill. I don’t think there was any team in the island that had a faster and more skilful front line than those guys. We had some real nice battles with Social Club.”

Darrell and Lewis, who was a member of Bermuda’s 1974 and 1978 CAC Games bronze medal-winning teams, played together with the national team and after hanging up their boots they also served together on the national coaching staff.

“We played for the national team together on a couple of occasions for a short time and Pinks was also my assistant coach with the national team,” Darrell said.

“The thing I remember most about working with him as coach was that he was very supportive and always had my back.

“We went on a couple of coaching courses together in England to get our preliminary degree and then we went back to get the international diploma certificate as well.

“I remember how impressed the other coaches were when we were on these courses about his knowledge of the game and also his playing ability. There were some international players there from all over the world and he was rated very highly among them.

“He’s a wonderful person and extremely knowledgeable about the game and it’s really sad to know that he’s gone.”

Lewis rejoined Social Club after parting ways with Philadelphia Atoms and also had a stint at PHC, with whom he won the FA Cup during the 1979-80 season while playing under head coach and elder sibling Leroy “Nibs” Lewis, who passed away in 2024.

“My playing days with Pinks is nothing but good memories. Not only at PHC but also with the national team and also playing against him as a young full back breaking into the team at PHC,” former captain Jack Castle said.

“Pinks was the guy that you could give the ball to at any time. He always wanted the ball, very close control and speedy. Had those bow legs and very speedy. Wasn’t much of a shots man, but definitely a creative playmaker. When he was on the ball he would make things happen.

“Pinks was like a mentor to me along with Marischal “Mop” Astwood, Cal White, Roger Butterfield, Beaver Burrows and James Paynter, who all played in PHC’s triple crown-winning team (1970-71 season).

Lewis’s career came full circle after rejoining the Bluebirds, where he also served as coach and club president after retiring.

He also coached at the national youth level and served on the executive council of the Bermuda Football Association, which paid tribute.

“Fondly remembered as ‘Pinks’, Lewis made significant contributions to Bermudian football as a player, coach, mentor and administrator,” the BFA said in a statement.

“His commitment to the game continued beyond his playing days as he went on to coach Young Men’s Social Club and Bermuda’s youth teams, before serving as assistant coach to Gary Darrell with the senior men’s national team.

“Lewis also contributed to the governance of football in Bermuda through his service on the BFA executive council where he served for many years during the 1990s and 2000s. Among his notable contributions was his work on the Technical Committee, which preceded the establishment of the Player Development Committee. In 2018, his contribution was recognised when the BFA’s highest honour, the Order of Merit, was bestowed on him.

“In recognition of his outstanding service and enduring legacy, the Bermuda Football Association will change its official logo to black across all its social media platforms as a mark of respect. The logo will remain black until Mr Lewis is laid to rest.

“The Bermuda Football Association extends its sincere condolences to the Lewis family and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Pinks. His dedication to the game and his lasting impact on the football community will not be forgotten.

“May he rest in peace.”