Back on the field, thanks to miracle
Saved by brother’s kidney, Palmer now coaching Bucks
WHEN Mthatha Bucks coach Ian Palmer’s younger brother decided to donate a kidney to him, his wife of 21 years, Lila, just burst out crying and hugged him.
His mother, whom he describes as a church woman, got on her knees and thanked God after hearing the news.
Selwyn Palmer could not stand seeing his big brother battling with his illness and came to his help – giving him a new lease on life.
And because of the successful kidney transplant that he had last year, Palmer is back in the hotseat, doing what he loves best – coaching.
He has been tasked with getting Amathol’amnyame to qualify for a National First Division play-off spot.
Saturday Dispatch caught up with the former Orlando Pirates marksman earlier this week.
Asked how he was settling in, in the former Transkei republic’s capital, the Johannesburg-born Palmer jokingly replied: “Well, I’m trying to adjust to the weather and the way the people drive here, but I’ll get there.” At 50 years old, the Riverleaborn Palmer has coached at various provinces, which has meant being away from his family as he does not believe in disrupting their lives. So why did he decide to make a comeback instead of early retirement? “Look, it’s in my blood. Once football is in your blood, it’s in your blood. “Football is my life and basically that’s all I know – it’s to coach and play football,” he said. “And if you look at Mthatha Bucks supporters, it’s that atmosphere you want . . . there’s just no way you can stay at home.” The former Maritzburg United, Chippa United, Blackburn Rovers, Santos and Milano United coach is grateful to his brother for the kidney donation. “He’s absolutely fantastic. Normally when you have a kidney [problem] you’re a bit weak and you don’t have the same energy, and he said ‘I can’t see you like this – I need you to go back to coaching, so I’m going to give you the kidney’.
“Shame, my wife just burst into tears and just hugged him,” Palmer recalled.
The soft-spoken coach lights up whenever he speaks about his wife Lila, mother of their three boys.
“What makes it easy for me is that I got married to such a beautiful woman whose support is absolutely out of this world.
“She’s supported me through my operation and football. Wherever I go she will support me. And that has kept me going as well.
“We’re on the phone constantly. She’s just an amazing woman,” he said with a big smile.
Back to the field of play. When Palmer was roped in to replace Velile Dyaloyi at the beginning of last month, club bosses asked him to do one thing – finish at least third on the log and qualify for the play-offs – something he believes is achievable.
Palmer just wants to beef up his team with a central defender and right back to add depth to his side. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za