Bermuda youth football has received a generous financial contribution from one of the Island?s former top all-rounders.

Former Sports Minister Randy Horton yesterday presented Bermuda Football Association (BFA) with a cheque to the tune of $3,000 to go in aid of the Association?s various youth development programmes.

Horton previously represented Somerset Cricket Club in both cricket and football and also enjoyed a professional stint at former US side New York Cosmos, playing alongside legendary German sweeper Franz Beckenbauer.

In 1979 Horton forever carved his name in Somerset Cup Match folklore when he captained a star-studded Somerset team to victory over St.George?s at Somerset Cricket Club to put an end to the East Ender?s 20 year stranglehold on the cup.

Only last year the towering Horton was an inaugural inductee in the prestigious Hall of Fame.

The funding to go in aid of the BFA?s various youth programmes, was generously donated during Horton?s surprise 60th birthday bash at Grotto Bay Hotel, well-attended by over 70 guests.

?I always look to give something back to sport,? said Horton, during a brief presentation ceremony outside of Cabinet Building yesterday.

?So it?s very important for me to see young people develop and hence the reason for the donation.?

BFA youth committee chairman, Cal Blankdendal, assured Horton the money would be put to good use.

?These proceeds will go towards the overall youth football programme in Bermuda,? he stated. ?Last year we had a few of our young football players attend soccer camps in the US and so hopefully some of this donation will go toward sending other youngsters abroad in addition to funding the association?s youth programmes.?

Also present during the ceremony was BFA president Larry Mussenden.

?I actually attended the surprise birthday present and it was fantastic to see people that have been instrumental during his life also attend,? said Mussenden.

?It was also a pleasure to hear some of the various stories from some of the New York Cosmos players from overseas and also some of his former team-mates on the victorious 1979 Somerset Cup Match team.?

Horton, perhaps remembered most for his unorthodox bowling action with both arms in motion, retired from the annual mid-summer classic in 1980 with 25 wickets to his credit at an average of 19.20 runs per wicket and remains 27th on Cup Match?s all-time leading bowling averages.

The former Warwick Secondary School principal was also on Somerset Trojans Friendship Trophy and FA Cup winning side of 1979 under captain Rudy Minors.