Bay Associates Inc. organized a ceremony in Boston to honor Jean-Claude Désir—”Tom Pouce”—and other Haitian footballers, celebrating their impact on the city’s Haitian community and the progress of the sport.
Mayor Michelle Wu and City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune were unable to attend due to the Boston city budget vote. They sent representatives who presented plaques and affirmed the city’s recognition of the honorees.
Désir, a midfielder, helped Haiti reach the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany—the country’s debut on football’s biggest stage. Born in Port-au-Prince on August 8, 1946, he played mainly for Aigle Noir AC. He also had loan spells at Racing Club Haïtien and the Detroit Cougars in the North American Soccer League, becoming one of the earliest Haitian professionals in the US. Désir was especially known for team play and leadership.
The 1974 squad, coached by Antoine Tassy, made history when striker Emmanuel Sanon scored against Italy and ended goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s unbeaten streak. Several teammates later settled in the northeastern US.
Roosevelt Jean, Raynald Dévilmé, and Frantz Guillaume were also honored at the ceremony.
The president of Bay Associates Inc. witnessed these players’ best moments and presented plaques, calling them “the masters of Haitian football.” Lucner Bayas shared anecdotes from his experiences with the legends, feeling privileged to observe them in Haiti and Boston.
For Tom Pouce, the honor was deeply meaningful, as it showed that his work was valued. Jean-Claude Désir thanked the organizers for their initiative.
In an exclusive interview with CTN, Désir addressed the Grenadiers as they prepare for their World Cup campaign, expressing confidence in the current Haitian national team and comparing his era to the present, noting the evolution in professionalism.
“In 1974, we were amateurs. Today’s players are real professionals competing in the world’s biggest competitions,” said the former Aigle Noir and Racing Club Haïtien player.
Current squad members mainly play in Europe’s top leagues. In 1974, most players were domestic amateurs.
Roseline Éloissaint, a Haitian women’s national team member who plays for FC Nantes in France’s Première Ligue, also joined the ceremony. Born February 20, 1999, in Miragoâne, she rose through Haiti’s domestic game before moving to Canada and then France. Éloissaint is a consistent contributor for Nantes and the Grenadières internationally. She stressed the great importance of respecting the trailblazers who paved the way for the new generation.
The tribute to former Haitian greats is part of Boston events marking Haiti’s second World Cup finals.
For the Haitian community, the ceremony not only celebrated the legacy of the 1974 team but also symbolized a passing of the torch—from pioneers like Désir in Boston to a new generation preparing to represent Haiti on football’s world stage.
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