There is no better choice than the vastly experienced and well-travelled Dougie Williams to turn the Third Division newbie Camps Bay FC into a powerhouse – and to ruffle a few feathers along the way this season.
These sentiments were shared by the club’s technical director, Anees Abbas, after he confirmed that Williams will be their new coach for the 2023/’24 Third Division campaign of Safa Cape Town.
“Yes, Dougie will be our new head coach,” Abbas confirmed to No Bones with Jones.
“He has been a mentor of mine and I worked with him at ASD (Academy). I think there is no better choice than him to do the job. He has a great track record. And as you know, he was behind the scenes at Young Bafana, Assie’s assistant (Ashraf Calvert) when they won the league last year,” said Abbas.
The Atlantic Seaboard-based outfit raised quite a few eyebrows when they bought the Third Division status of Jamestown United not too long ago. It is evident that the club had a longing for a senior team that could swim with the big fish in this league, and off course help raise their standards.
Abbas is confident with Williams at the helm the clubs’ senior divisions will benefit immensely from his experience and that ‘Dougie’ will be able to put the club on the map.
Whether it was by design or just purely coincidence, the latest development at Camps Bay FC also coincides with the club’s centenary this year as it was founded way back in 1923.
“I think that is also part of the history, you know,” Abbas stated. “Camps Bay played back then in the NSL and there is a rich history at Camps Bay with great players coming out of there.
“Listen, I’m proud of what we achieved recently, but hard work lies ahead. That said, I am very excited and know that our boys will pull through,’ Abbas added further.
Abbas conceded that another reason for acquiring Third Division status for the club, is to assist and fast-track their players with development and competitive football.
“With our links out in Europe and America, we are hoping to be able to assist more kids and make their dreams a reality,” he stated. “With all honesty, our LFA football is not strong enough. So hopefully, with our Third Division outfit our football can become more competitive, and I think it will prepare our boys better.
“Whatever happens from there at least we have given the boys a good foundation. I’m quite excited walking out here tonight speaking about the Nedbank Cup. We look forward to the season.
“It is a building phase for us. We want to cement our place in the Third Division and try and get more kids coming through our system,” Abbas concluded.
