Wolves and Devonshire Cougars put their rivalry aside to pay homage to team-mate Jawonday Smith, who was laid to rest after a well-attended funeral service at Christ Anglican Church Devonshire on Thursday.

Players from the Premier Division teams paid various tributes to the midfielder and son of former Cougars captain, Shawn, and were also among an honour guard that flanked the funeral procession as it exited the church.

Smith started his career at Cougars at age 7 where he progressed all the way from the youth to senior ranks.

Like his father, the versatile player also had the honour of captaining Cougars, whom he led to Player Development League glory.

Smith also enjoyed success at senior level as a member of Cougars’ historic team that earned Triple Crown success in the 2012-13 season.

The 30-year-old parted ways with his childhood club to join Premier Division and parish rivals Wolves during the late transfer window last November and made his final appearance for his new club in a 2-0 loss to Dandy Town at Goose Gosling Field on January 5.

Smith died on January 21, leaving many to mourn the loss of a humble and generous individual who made a positive impact both on and off the pitch.

“Jawonday was a tremendous individual and although he was only at the club for a very short time he was able to make his presence felt,” William Usher, the Wolves Sports Club president, told The Royal Gazette.

“In the short period of getting to know Jawonday I knew the type of impact he could make at the club, and those types of individuals you want as a part of the foundation of your club.

“I had plans to utilise him to help build all the different facets we need because Wolves are still rebuilding, and I felt like Jawonday could have been a very big part of the success we would have had in the future.”

Zekiro White, the Cougars captain, described Jawonday as a “well-rounded“ player and an easygoing and humble person.

“Jawonday was a good player and could play any position on the field,” he said.

“He wasn’t outgoing and everybody was cool with him. He was down-to-earth and is going to be missed.”

Chiquon Smith, the Wolves goalkeeper, also spoke highly of his team-mate.

“Jawonday was one of the greatest people I have ever played with,” he said.

“He brought a sense of levelness and a sense of skill to the team that nobody else had or has. He was just so calm and so quiet.

“He was light on his toes, energetic, agile and would put his body on the line for the next person standing next to him.

“Jawonday was humble, kind and always positive. You could ask him for help for anything, it didn’t matter. Even if you needed to talk to him about something he was always there.”

Dennis Brown, the former Cougars and Wolves coach, also shared fond memories of Smith.

“I first met Jawonday when I coached Cougars for three years and he was a great talent,” he said.

“I played him at times in the first team as a 16-year-old. He didn’t play a lot, but he played enough just to give him the experience of playing in that Triple Crown winning team that year. He was always a great spirit and very respectful. He was never disrespectful.

“He was always a team player. Even if he wasn’t picked for the squad and stuff he always encouraged the other players who were playing and it was a pleasure to coach him.

“This is definitely a sad day for Bermuda just listening to the things he was involved with, and I just want to give condolences to his family.”