BLUES PLEA WITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY

THE Lautoka Football Association (LFA) is urging the Sugar City business community to get behind the team for the 2021 season.

The Blues reached the final of the Courts Inter District Championship in October and were unfortunate to miss out on a semi-final sport for the Vodafone Fiji FACT last month.

Lautoka ended the group stage with two wins from three matches like Nadi and Suva however failed to get through to the next stage with a lower goal differential compared with the Jetsetters and the Capital City boys.

LFA acting president Narayan Reddy said they need urgent funds to bind the players for the next year, in fear of losing them in the new transfer window.

Reddy said the young set of players in the team had a bright future but were on the radar of the other districts.

“Lautoka played really well and got six points from three games which was similar to Suva and Nadi but we were just edged out on goal differential,” he said.

“Prior to the opening game against Nadi some committee members and a few from the team management resigned from their respective positions.

“There was a lot of issue regarding sponsorship. People promised sponsorships but didn’t honour them.

“Just a few days before the tournament Lautoka basically had no sponsorship from the local community.

“There was very limited support thereafter with small sponsorship. But then the Bluez Fan Club from Australia pitched in with financial support. In Vanua Levu the team was accommodated at a hotel and the players received their full allowances.

“What I want from the people of Lautoka is to come out and support this team. The team’s recent result speaks for itself despite all the difficulties.

“We need the people to support this team for next season. We have many young players.

“The transfer window will be opening soon the other districts are eyeing them. What we need to do is to bind these players and mould them into a winning combination.”