London United mourns the loss of one of its stars.

Sunday, 27 November 2011 23:23

Ex London United player Mantia Callender sadly passed away on November 22, 2011 at the age of 38.

Mantia was born and raised in London but travelled to the US on a basketball scholarship to the college of Southern Idaho, where he played for the Golden Eagles from ’94-’96. In ’96 Mantia moved to Tennessee to study and play for Middle Tennessee State University. After his graduation Mantia travelled further to play professional basketball overseas.

Mantia’s professional career included several seasons in professional leagues in Germany and Austria. In 2004 he joined London United and became the cornerstone of one of the most successful squads in our club which finished as runner up in EBL Div 1.

Deeply saddened Jack Majewski reflected  that “despite the fact that Mantia played only one season with us he made a tremendous impression on me, not only as a very all round and intelligent player but foremost as a very caring and thoughtful person.  I will always remember not only a very successful season but long journeys around the country when we had  ample opportunities to talk about all aspects of life when he always amazed me with his kind nature and good view of the world. As a player Mantia had a fulfilling career abroad but I have never understood why his talent was not appreciated more in his home country and he never represented the Senior England team on an international level.”

After leaving London United  Mantia returned back to Idaho combining careers both in banking with coaching youth basketball. Mantia sadly leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a son. All of us at London United would like to pass our condolences onto his family.