Sweet memories of Albersville SC
In our ongoing 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 Port Shepstone-based Alberville United. If you have been associated with a club (any codes 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.
WHEN Port Shepstone businessman Mahendra Bridglall and his friend Bobby Naidoo decided over lunch way back in 1977 to form a soccer club, little did they realise they were about to build a proud legacy in the form of the Albersville Soccer Club.
Not only did they succeed in providing a platform for budding soccerites in the South Coast town, but they embarked on a social responsibility programme, and in 1979 changed the name of the club to Albersville Sports and Social Club, when they adopted various charitable and nongovernmental organisations.
Bridglall, who was a keen fan of soccer, said Albersville, which had a large Indian population due to the nearby sugar mill, was in need of a soccer team to harness the talent of the youngsters in the area.
“Coming from a farming community, the young lads were tough and full of energy. It wasn’t long before we were able to put together a formidable team. In the early 80s we won the league, the City Finance and Insurance Brokers KO Cup and the Rensco KO Cup,” said Bridglall.
He said they were fortunate to have had the late soccer legend Strini Moodley coach the team.
“Strini Moodley was a legend during the South African Soccer League days when he played for Aces United. He would run rings around the top players from Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows.
“His son, Devan Moodley, was also a talented player who scored some breathtaking goals for Albersville.
“Devan subsequently joined professional outfit Berea in the Federation Professional League. Our team was consistently producing classy players, and among the others who went on to play professional football were Dawood Kader and Rajen Naidoo, who also had stints with Berea. Another of our prodigies, Henry Lengazani, went on to play for Umtata Bucks in the National Soccer League.”
Bridglall added that the glory of victory was tainted with moments of despair.
“We always fielded a competitive squad, but there was this time when we had Clover Cup glory in our sights. We cruised through the preliminary rounds and drew Durban team Bluff Rangers in the quarter-finals. The match was played on a Wednesday night at Currie’s Fountain. Minutes into the game, Bluff Rangers stunned us with a well-executed goal. Being a goal down was demoralising but the boys regrouped and knew that they had a fight on their hands if they were to progress to the next stage of the competition.
“The players then started to play some attractive football and minutes before the half time break we were rewarded with the equaliser.”
Bridglall said the message in the changeroom was clear: “you need to win at all costs”.
“The boys played their hearts out and the game sea-sawed for the next 40 odd minutes until Bluff Rangers dashed our hopes with a late goal.
“It was a moment I will never forget,” said Bridglall.
He said while soccer was the main motivation behind Albersville United, their social responsibility programmes were also paramount to the success of the club.
“We raised funds through our annual winter ball, and with assistance from generous businessmen within the community, we made financial contributions to the local Child and Family Welfare Society, schools, and brought smiles to the faces of indigents’ children during Christmas.”
Bridglall added that they managed to build a clubhouse, which also served the community as a meeting venue and as a base for the Albersville Volleyball Club.