Wentworth soccer legend lives on

POPULAR for not only leaving fans raving on the soccer field but also touching many lives throughout his lifetime is Wellington Meth.

The 75-year-old is one of the few remaining soccer talents from the golden days.

Born in the Eastern Cape to a family of 16, would be the humble beginnings of the colourful life lived by the charismatic character. His family relocated to Durban and stayed in Sydenham for a while before settling in Wentworth in 1958. “I was brought up here and I know almost everything about this community. There was a lot going on here but I decided to focus on sports, especially soccer because that was my passion,” he said.

He made his debut in the soccer arena at a very early age when he played for Cavaliers Football Club, Banana City and later for Lamontville Golden Arrows in the 1970s. However, because of his impressive soccer knowledge, tactical awareness and people’s skills this legendary soccer player’s forte was in coaching and scouting for talented soccer players. He had a great concern for the youngsters who have succumbed to life’s misfortunes such as poverty, drugs, unemployment and gangsterism and used his passion to help make a difference.

“We used to have a lot of the gangs in the area but I had a knack for spotting talented individuals who happened to land in these troubled circles. So what I used to do is hang out and chat with them so I could find a way to get them to buy into what I was telling them because I wanted to steer them onto the right path. It was tough, but Wentworth was blessed with talent,’’ said Meth who had mastered negotiating skills and made it a point to interact with people from all walks of life.

He was responsible for recruiting some of Wentworth’s best players in the heyday of Wentworth football. Some of these legendary players included Dennis Petersen, Elvis Sing, Gary Goldstone, Preston Julius, Basil Petersen, Joe Da Costa, Hugo Hayes, Benjamin Pretorius, Roland King, including the late great soccer icon Cheezey Baptist.

“Professional teams used to come to me if they wanted a player. I would also train aspiring soccer players before trials. You get different types of players and I always try to make them whole by focusing on their individual strengths and weaknesses to help them perform their best when they’re out on the field. Its also important to note that most players come from different teams and backgrounds which have influenced their habits and how they perform. These are things that you need to pay attention to when coaching and developing a player,” said Meth who has played a pivotal role in taking local talent abroad.

He also makes it a point to advise players to be smart when it comes to signing contracts, managing their finances as well as being mindful of characters who would lead them astray.

As a coach, he is a great role model, and not only teaches players basic soccer skills, but also social skills like discipline, patience, determination and teamwork. He is not just a coach, but also a motivator.

He was awarded a tribute plaque, by Leeds FC, in recognition of his acts of service and invaluable contribution to Wentworth and surrounding communities.

Although he is in retirement after working for Toyota for 45 years, he continues to share his knowledge with young players and those he coaches for Cherrians FC, who play in the SAB league. When he isn’t on the field, he is at home with his wife or can be found around Wentworth, sharing stories of his playing days which paint a colourful picture of his love for the game.