Former Old Bens attacker Seth Green has credited the Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) with helping him stay ready for his breakthrough into professional football, saying his time at the club reignited his love for the game and strengthened his belief that perseverance pays off.

Green, now on the books of Durban City after a stint with reigning Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates, is one of the league’s success stories.

He was instrumental in Old Bens’ memorable 4-1 derby victory over Benoni Northerns two years ago, producing a man-of-the-match display with a goal and an assist.

Reflecting on his journey, Green said Old Bens became much more than just a stopgap while he searched for another opportunity in the professional ranks.

“To be honest, Old Bens was a club that took me in for game time while I was in between finding clubs in the professional space. I spent a couple of months there, using it as a place to keep sharpening my blade while also falling in love with the game again.

“It was a way of ensuring I’d be in good standing when a professional team approached me for my services. This journey shows that sometimes all you need is crazy faith that everything will eventually work out for your good. With the right people around you, you’re bound to make it,” he said.

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Green explained that, despite waiting for the right opportunity, he never doubted he belonged in professional football.

“I didn’t really face too many challenges because I spent lots of time in academy setups, so professional football was somewhere I knew I belonged. I just needed someone to take a chance on me.”

Although his stay at Old Bens was brief, Green said the club left a lasting impression on him.

“I think the club as a whole made the biggest impact. I didn’t spend too much time there but, in that short period, I felt completely at home. From the technical staff to the supporters who came out every matchday, Old Bens has the best crowd in amateur football.”

Looking ahead to life at Durban City, Green is eager to prove himself on South Africa’s biggest football stage.

“I’m finally getting to showcase what I know I’m capable of. It’s the best move for my career because I feel like I fit like a glove into their current system of football.”

He also offered advice to aspiring footballers: “Don’t cut corners. Honest work will always be rewarded and keep God at the centre of everything you do.”

Green hopes his next step will be a call-up to the national team before ultimately fulfilling his dream of playing overseas.

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