An Incense for Mr.林鴻褆

Article translated by:

  A Resounding Achiever From Ninh

 Mr. Lam Hong De -林鴻褆

  The news of Mr Lam Hong De 林鴻褆-, from Ninh Hoa known as Mr. An, has just passed away, put me in immensely melancholy. It reminds my youth hood memories at Ninh-Hoa.

Mr. An 林鴻褆was a Chinese-born Vietnamese, his family came from Hai Nam, China. He was a professional photographer, he owned a photo shop on Tran Quy Cap Street opposite Quang Dong (chua ba*) Temple, next to Dinh Bridge. During the mid-50s, Every Ninh-Hoa local people had known him as a famous player of Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team. He was tall and well-build, who was a Forwarder, adept at scoring goals, penetrative with quick footwork, he was very skillful using headding the ball into the net technique, consequently brought many brilliant glorious to our home town Ninh-Hoa. 

I remember between 1950 to 1954, during the eventful of the Vietnamese – French war. French expeditionary army came to Ninh-Hoa, Their headquarter stationed at Basto cigarettes warehouse and there were so many of them. Soccer was a very popular sport in Europe and the French loved soccer passionately. Despite of the warfare, when they had to leave their country behind for war, they brought with them soccer ball and shoes for many friendly matches with the local teams. And Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team had no doubt facing many tough challenging matches with French players who were all Caucasian. Unfortunately our players didn’t wear shoes, until now that we are facing the French with shoes in matches, so we too had to wear shoes to play against them.

 

Ninh Hoa Soccer Team including many outstanding players such as : Uncle Hai Cat and Mr. Chin Cu Xom Ruou (I heard that Mr. Chin Cu is currently residing in California); what special about these two gentlemen were they were short but could run exceptional fast, (local Ninh-Hoa dialect: “chạy nhanh de kêu” meant exceptional fast). Also Mr. Nam Ha and Mr. Bay Nghi at xóm Bánh; Mr. Muoi Sang, Muoi Sáng and Mr. An at Dinh Bridge. From Quan Tre there were Mr. Ba Thuong and Mr. Ba Quón, Mr. Hai Mành (Dan Dan); Mr. Hoa, Mr. My and Bay tailor, Mr. Truc shoemaker and a few more people I don’t remember their names.

At that time Ninh-Hoa soccer field was in Vinh Phu, the gate to the field was from opposite the French-Vietnamese Elementary School to the river bank. There were no grass, no grand stand at the soccer field. On the day of the match, they used white powered lime to draw the triangle box and dividing lines on the field, viewers wore cone hats and umbrellas standing orderly outside the white lines, of course if there were exceptional exciting situation, audients would cheer & applaud loudly.

Matches were often on Sunday, on the day when the match was on, most of retail stores near Dinh market were closed early and central of Ninh-Hoa became deserted, especially when there was match between French Expeditionary Army Team and Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team. Lots of people came; apart from people living around town, there were also people from near by villages; some distant villages such as Ha Lien, Ben Do, Quan Tre, Hon Khoi, Lac An and many from all over places flocked into Vinh Phu.

In those years, Vinh Phu was the most depraved area in Ninh Hoa. On the occasion of match day, people were indulging themselves, there were shops & inns selling rice vermicelli, porridge, boiled duck eggs (almost became duckling), egg noodle, rice noodle and refreshments. If you wanted to spend money for pleasure, stop-by Sau Hu grotto of fairies for opium and prostitute. If you wanted to try your luck then visiting casinos or rooster matches. Many peddlers also waited for these occasions to carry or push their stalls of lemon iced drinks selling on the street like festival pleasantly fun.

The first few matches between French Army Team and Ninh Hoa Soccer Teams, we were always lost because we were not used to wear shoes to play soccer. Later on, the more we played the better we were, people cheered on whenever Mr An was leading with the ball in his feet; each time he shoot the ball into the goal, people cheered deafeningly terrifying the French players. Matches after matches, Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team had won gloriously, sometimes we won 2 to 3 matches in a row. Since then people usually mentioned Mr. An’s splendid victory goals. 

Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team became more and more skillful on the field, they won every matches, until one day there was news that the Vietnamese Revolutionary Army spreading handouts calling people to go to war against the French, then some of Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team players was taken by the French Intelligent Service for investigation, including Mr. Chin Cu, Mr. Hai Cat, Mr. Nam Ha, Mr. By Nghi etc.. Some were kept for a few days, some was tortured to bedridden and remained in prison for many years. Since then Ninh-Hoa soccer team had lost many players and eventually dissolved.

Today Mr. An and players of Ninh-Hoa Soccer Team’s resounding achievements had been long lost through time. I tried to write a true story which had happened more than 50 years ago in remembrance those once had brought fame to the Soccer Game at Ninh-Hoa County.

  This article had been written according to my memory, if there is incorrect information or event, especially name of players, please contact me by email to: duongdubinh@yahoo.com

  Author: Duong Binh

 

Number of visits: free hit counters