SEDIBENG.- In the 1990s, Bra-Thoms Blackpool FC was one of the most famous household names in Vaal Triangle football.

Owned by the Meloa family, the now-defunct club was widely considered the best thing to happen to local football during that era.

The club quickly became a major draw, attracting the finest football talent.

Similar to how Kaizer Chiefs was formed by former Orlando Pirates players, Bra-Thoms Blackpool FC was established through Evaton Blackpool FC. The club quickly became a major draw, attracting the finest football talent from both within the Vaal Triangle and outside the region.

Its rise was particularly welcome following the collapse of its bitter rivals, Rainbow Juventus FC. The two teams had boasted incredible talent, making their local derbies highly anticipated, thrilling encounters.

Although the club no longer exists, its legacy certainly lives on.

In a memorable, end-to-end thriller at Evaton’s Blackpool ground, Bra-Thoms Blackpool staged a brilliant fightback from 2-0 down to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against their rivals. Sedibeng Ster Sport remembers it like it happened yesterday.

The club also made history off the pitch by becoming the first amateur team to play in Kappa soccer kits. At the time, Kaizer Chiefs was the only other club wearing Kappa, which made Bra-Thoms Blackpool incredibly unique and a team every local player desperately wanted to join.

Former Orlando Pirates defender Phiri Tsotetsi was among the star players who turned out for the club before later moving on to Moroka Swallows.

The former owner of the club, Molefe Meloa, recently shared a brief history of Bra-Thoms Blackpool during a farewell dinner hosted by the Emfuleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Hassan Mako.

Meloa, who served on the local organising committee for the event, was helping to honour three Bafana Bafana stars representing South Africa at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Meloa reflected that although the club no longer exists, its legacy certainly lives on. In fact, the status of Tuks FC was originally bought from Bra-Thoms Blackpool via Arcadia Shepherds FC and Spartak FC. Meloa himself remains heavily involved in the game today.