THE SHOES THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
KICK OFF reader Mohlomi Maubane penned this appreciation of
In one of the shortest articles he has written in the course of his long career, Sy Lerman penned a 144-word piece about a footballer on the verge of starting a professional career with Giant Blackpool. The report was published in a 1987 edition of the SundayTimes, and Blackpool’s coach, Jorge Santoro, is quoted making a bold assessment of the player’s ability: “He’s the most exciting wing prospect I have seen in South Africa. He has the potential and soccer insight to be better than Teenage Dladla and Ace Mnini at their best,” the Brazilian proclaimed. John Moshoeu’s career kicked off at Diepkloof Blue Whales, an amateur outfit from his neighbourhood. He first rose to prominence at Giant Blackpool, a team owned by erstwhile soccer supremo Coloured Passmore. Blackpool had been trying to gain promotion to the NSL for several years, and they eventually succeeded in getting there in 1987. Shoes made his professional debut that year in a match against Arcadia. It was a losing start. Pool were beaten 2-1 – a result they were to experience many times in that campaign. A mere five victories in the League left Blackpool languishing at the bottom of the log, sending them packing back to the Second Division. It took only one season to secure a return to the top flight. Eddie Lewis, who was roped in as coach after the demotion, transformed Blackpool into a formidable side that won 31 out of 38 matches. They scored an impressive 110 goals in the process, 87 of which were courtesy of the free-scoring trio of Moshoeu, Fani Madida and Geelbooi Masango. Back in the NSL, Blackpool finished the 1989 season in an impressive 6th position despite a coaching merry-goround that saw four coaches occupying the hot seat. The team cemented its status over the next two seasons, finishing 9th and 10th on the log respectively. By 1991, Blackpool were trading as Sharp Highlands Park after Passmore brought in a new board of directors. Following a skirmish with the drop in 1992, Passmore sold Highlands Park to an Orange Free State consortium, who in turn renamed the club Welkom Eagles. Shoes was out with a broken leg that forced him to miss South Africa’s return to Fifa-sanctioned football. Welkom Eagles, meanwhile, were more like doves as they managed only one victory and were relegated. Chiefs signed Moshoeu for a record R250 000 despite him still being on the injury list – Shoes choosing Amakhosi
He has the potential to be better than Teenage Dladla and Ace Mnini.