Marischal "Mop" Astwood is the son of Marischal andThelma Astwood. He is the brother to Whillimae, Judithanne, Glen, Wenda, and Rochelle. He is the father to Vaughn and grandfather to Jonte and Jonah. Mop attended the Purvis Primary School and the Robert Crawford where he learned his trade as a panel beater. During some of his high school days he worked at BermudaMotors, then Ford Motors, on the Day ReleaseProgram.
His first job asa Panel beater was at Lucas House and then he moved onto Holmes, Williams, and Purvey to continue his trade. Being a person that didn't want to be tied down to one trade "Mop" made a career change, leaving HWP and went to work full time with his father; excelling in the construction industry. Whilst plying his skills on the construction industry this didn't stop him from leaving the cars alone. You could always find him refining his skill as a panel beater.
Even though "Mop" was skillful with his hands, it was the skills of his feet that made him a legend on the football pitch.Starting at the age of ten, he played for Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHO under the coaching of Kenneth"Smokey"Thompson.During his years playing Mini-minors as it was called then, the philosophy was to have the boys experience playing In several different positions. This laid the foundation for Mop to play in every position on the field for Bermuda! Mop was always regarded as an exceptional versatile player and in 1970 at the tender age of seventeen he played his first match for the PHC senior team. He would play several years in the defense at PHC before moving further forward to form attacking partnerships in PHCs4-3°3 formation with players such as Brendan "Pickles" Robinson, Jimmy Parsons, Leroy "Nibs" Lewis and of course his good friend Ellie Wilson.Mop started his career as a defender and would end it as a striker helping to nurture the skills of young players Kevin Dill, Sammy Swan and Kenny Burt. A young Kyle Lightbourne, would also idolize him.He was not only recognized as a talented footballer but a leader as well.Over the course of his career he would captain his belovedPHC Zebras. The medal cabinet is full with four Premier league trophies; 3 FA cups and 5 Friendship cups as well as a First divisionShield. He was a member of the Triple crown PHC team of 1971.
In 1984, nearing retirement, Mop left PHC knowing the legacy he helped to create was in safe hands with old teammate"Nibs" Lewis, as coach and the player she helped to nurture. He went to play for Young Men's Social Club, his favorite hangout spot.
Marischal "Mop" Astwood enjoyed a fantastic football career lasting 20 years. He has influenced many with is talent, commitment and leadership.
In the late part of 2005, Mop began to notice signs of weakness with-his body, but it wasn't until the early part of this year that he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
