Ever-Young Natalians still going strong at 87
In our series on local amateur clubs that made a meaningful impact on sport and their communities, we intend covering the far reaches of this newspaper’s readership – Gauteng included. This week LOGAN GOVENDER features Pietermaritzburg-based Young Natalians FC. If you have been associated with a club (in any code of sport) that has been in existence for more than 25 years, e-mail postsport@inl.co.za with the club’s name and your contact details
TOP amateur football club Young Natalians has a rich history, and one memory that stands out is when they beat a professional team in the Osman’s Spice Cup.
The Pietermaritzburg team, established in 1929, caused a major upset in 1988 when they beat the highly-fancied professional outfit, Maritzburg United in the lucrative Osman’s Spice Cup.
The United fans, who thought the game would be a walk in the park at a packed Northdale Stadium, were left stunned by the 2-0 defeat.
Superb goals by Alvin Davids and Ahmed Rawat took Natalians into the next round.
Manchester City, however, proved a touch too good for Natalians and stopped them in their tracks at the Benoni Stadium.
Prominent Pietermaritzburg sports administrator Bryan Rupram said Natalians, which promoted football and cricket, had produced top-class sportsmen and administrators.
According to Rupram, a classic example of a fine administrator is the legendary Babs Sithapersad, a life-long member of the club. Sithapersad also served as vice-president of the South African Soccer Federation alongside Federation stalwart Norman Middleton.
While Young Natalians cricketers such as Krish Reddy and Michael Patrick were making their mark as batsmen and fielders, ace footballer Gopal Manicom and his teammates flew the football flag high for Natalians.
In the 1950s and 1960s Natalians, under the chairmanship of Ismail Bhamjee, won several trophies to add to the Thompsons Veerasamy 5-a-side trophy won in 1933.
Bhamjee was one of the club’s longest-serving presidents and his dedicated officials played a pivotal role in Natalians’ success.
1984 was an exceptional year for the club. They were crowned league champions and won the prestigious Natal and Manickum Cups.
Two years later Young Natalians recorded their first Hillview Easter Tournament Trophy.
The Maritzburg Football Association over the decades produced several top-class teams and players and Young Natalians featured prominently. Rupram said the players’ energy and the club’s strong moral values took them places.
Currently Young Natalians are involved in cricket and indoor football and were crowned 2015 National Indoor Football champs.
“The royal blue and white stripes of Young Natalians are close to the hearts of the hundreds of passionate and loyal fans and the dedicated players and officials,” said Rupram.
“In 13 years the club will turn the magical 100 years old. It will be a moment to savour!’’