Footballers to regale memories of yesteryear

Footballers of the 60s, 70s and 80s will walk down memory lane to share their victories, disappointments and rivalries at a gala dinner at Enchanted Garden on Sunday, 1 May.

Dr Nanda Soobben is the guest speaker.

Talent during those golden years was in abundance, with high quality football the order of the day.

Derbies and rivalries between Colleens and Ocean City, Malabar Sports, Lincoln City, Reunion Santos and Protea Power, Isipingo Suburbs, Isipingo Old Boys, Gokulstan United, Woopsy, Dymanomes, Estates, Prospecton, Isipingo United, Isipingo Sporting, Colchester Rovers, Santos, Burnley Spurs and Young Ones were always intense and robust with no quarter asked or given.

Administrators such as Ronnie Vengan, the late Logan and Shun David, the late Joy Gokul, M Mannie, T Subramany, the late R Gopaulsing, the late Arumugam David and PP Chetty were instrumental in the professional running of the league.

Colleens, coached by Owen Dawson, always excelled in the premier league of Southern Natal against teams like Bluff Rangers, Royals, Dalberton, Callies and Tongaat Crusaders.

Malabar went one better by winning the division one league of Southern Natal.

Professional players of the calibre of Gopi Naidoo, Adam Arbee, Ralph Chame, Kevin Francis, Walla Marais, Vincent Pillay and the late Charlie Soobben all came through the ranks of the Isipingo District Football Association (IDFA). “IDFA players always acquitted themselves with dignity and passion in competitions like the Clover Cup and the discipline displayed on and off the field is something that other associtions took note of,” said former president of the IDFA, Ronnie Vengan.

“Players and administrators also had to endure hardships like no floodlights, petrol restrictions and no change rooms, but common sense always prevailed as the beautful game will always win with sacrifices.”

For more information on the gala dinner, call Ronnie on 078-316-4356 or email rvengan@northsafety.co.za.