Well-known sportsman and racing administrator, Walter 'Blabber' Campbell passed away at his Havendale home on New Year's Eve at age 73, the victim of a heart attack.

A star footballer in his younger days, Campbell represented Jamaica, St George's College in the Manning Cup and St George's Old Boys' in the division one football competition in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He was captain and centre half of the 1958 Manning Cup team which lost 1-0 to North Street rivals Kingston College in the final.

Professionally, Campbell was employed to the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) in a managerial capacity for many years.

According to his friend and former co-worker Rudolph Muir, 'Blabber' was a currency specialist at the BoJ before retiring some 10 years ago. However, from time to time he was retained by the bank as a consultant.

Outside of football, Campbell had a profound love for horse racing from the early days of Caymanas Park when he frequented the track to see horses like NONE SUCH, RAMESES and BONNIE BLUE FLAG make a name for themselves.

Given his interest in horse racing, Campbell was appointed a racing commissioner from the late 1990s up to 2007. He was also a member of the First Instance Tribunal as well as chairman of the JRC Observation Committee and a Hall of Fame trustee.

He had such an interest in horse racing that from time to time he would journey overseas to watch the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders' Cup in the United States, as well as Newmarket in England.

Outside of sports, Campbell was well known in music circles, he being an excellent dancer and dedicated supporter of Merritone.

Campbell is survived by two sons. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.