Granville Nusum’s outstanding goalkeeping ability gave him the opportunity to play alongside arguably football’s greatest player.

The nickname “Sam the Cat” was earned after his quick reflexes in goal for Bermuda in Central America won over the local fans.

Nusum represented his country in qualifying competitions for the World Cup, Olympic Games and Pan American Games and is a member of the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame.

His career started at Warwick Workmen’s Club before a move to North Village Community Club, where he came to prominence by being named domestic football’s most valuable player on the first of two occasions.

He played professionally in the now-defunct North American Soccer League from 1972 to 1975 for the Montreal Olympique, Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Cosmos.

In Montreal, Nusum linked up with former Bermuda coach Graham Adams. In New York, he became team-mates with Brazilian legend Pelé — whose name stands alongside Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi whenever greatest-ever player debates run rampant.

The star shot-stopper made 67 appearances as a pro and once set a record by making 22 saves without conceding a goal. Additionally, he was runner-up for the NASL Rookie of the Year Award in 1972.

He finished his playing career back in Bermuda with Hotels International.

Randy Horton, was a team-mate of Nusum’s in the national team. The pair played against each other in Bermuda and North America in the early 1970s.

The legendary former Somerset Trojans and New York Cosmos striker said: “I never saw a goalkeeper that kept the kind of positional sense that Sam kept.

“He was always in position early to save himself making all these dives that we sometimes see goalkeepers make.

“Also, his understanding of the game was outstanding.”

Horton, who left the Cosmos for the Washington Diplomats the year before Nusum arrived in New York, added: “I played with Sam on the national team and played against him when he played for North Village and Hotels.

“I went with the Cosmos [1971] and he went to Montreal Olympique [1972].

“He and I played together in an NASL representative team that played against teams from Europe.”

Horton heaped praise on the “outstanding” Bermudian goalkeepers of that era. However, he admitted Nusum “just had the edge”.

When Nusum retired from the game, he started his own business and hired and trained several North Village players to become qualified electricians.

He also coached at North Village for a few years.

Sherwin Dill, a past club president and former team-mate of Nusum’s, said the former goalkeeper still attended most matches.

Dill said: “I would see Sam every week at Miles Market; he would comment on the game and give advice.”

He added: “On behalf of North Village Community Club, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.

“Sam came to North Village from Warwick Workmen’s back in the early 1970s. He was a valued member of our team in 1972-73 that won the Premier Division for the first time.

“His contribution at that time was priceless to the journey that North Village has travelled.”

In 2008, Nusum was named a BFA Legend, and Anwar Telford was awarded a scholarship in his honour.

He was elected to the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame of 2014.

In a tribute on social media, sports minister Owen Darrell said: “On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I extend sincere condolences to his family, his friends, former team-mates and the wider football community.

“Though the final whistle has sounded, ‘Sam the Cat’ Nusum’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of Bermudian footballers.”

The Bermuda Football Association also extended its condolences and said it would change its official logo to black across social-media platforms as a symbol of respect until Nusum was laid to rest.

Alfred Granville “Sam the Cat” Nusum, professional footballer, Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame inductee, was born on October 3, 1946. He died in July 2026, aged 79