The return of Rygersdal FC to Safa Cape Town’s Third Division structure not only serves as a platform for the club’s youth to showcase their talent on a higher level and prevent them from being poached, but it has also reawakened the vigour and nostalgia amongst its former players and stalwarts.
One particular individual, Mark Lingeveldt, who was rather inconspicuously looking, was spotted during Rygersdal’s 2-3 loss to Premier United at the Downberg Road Sports Complex last weekend. This comes off the back of a 3-1 win over Silver Spurs in their debut match of the campaign.
Lingeveldt, a tough-tackling no-nonsense centre back, and a great header of the ball, conceded that he was proud and overjoyed when news broke that his former club was back in the Third Division “where it belongs”.
Lingeveldt, a former Bonteheuwel resident, stated this immediately prompted him to show his support – albeit very low key – and to witness first-hand what the new kids on the block at the club are all about.
“It was an awesome feeling seeing the new generation donning the yellow and red colours of Rygersdal,” Lingeveldt revealed to No Bones with Jones. ”You must remember, Rygersdal was a big brand in those years. So, it was magic seeing the new crop of talent representing the club with pride. Look, obviously, the game has evolved since the time I played, so you have to keep that in consideration as well.
“Yes, they lost, but from where I sat, they played some good football. There is definitely huge potential and I think with time, they will get better and become a major force. Like I said, it felt like the old days witnessing the colours of Rygersdal in action. It was pure magic, you know,” he added.
Lingeveldt, who cut his teeth at the maroon and sky blue of Sea Point Swifts, described himself as just a “normal, humble boytjie from Bontas who played the game hard but fair.”
“First of all, I have to pay homage to Swifts for giving me that opportunity, because if it wasn’t for them, I would not have been scouted by Rygersdal, you know. But it was a big challenge for me as I played non-racial all the years, and all of a sudden, I swapped over to a league where everyone was inclusive, you know. There was no colour involved, if I can put it that way.
“But Rygersdal really gave me a new perspective and approach towards my soccer career because I saw the broader side of the game. I remember the year was 1993 when I arrived and we played in the NSL’s Third Division.
“They were just a top club, as a lot of ex-pros like Niven Payne, Derick Glascow, and Gavin Van Wyk, amongst them, who all featured for the club at that particular time. – not to mention Dean Grenade, who did not play pro, but could certainly hold his own. So, too was the prolific goal poacher Shamiel Friday from Goulburn Athletic who also made the switch from Bontas to Rondebosch.
“I remember Glen Newens was also the coach at that time. So, it was all new beginnings for me.. We also had a lot of youngsters like Clint Roper, Ian Taylor… So, honestly, it was a challenge for me, but it was also a league where you had to be committed. I enjoyed myself so much and I achieved a lot, you know,” Lingeveldt added.
Lingeveldt has two nicknames, at Swifts he is affectionately known as ‘Catfish,’ and when he moved to greener pastures in the mid nineties, Rygersdal ‘baptised’ him as ‘Linges.’
The 57 year-old Lingeveldt recalls some of his finest moments at the club, where he still holds a club record up until today.
“I won the Player of the Year back-to-back in 1993 and 1994,” Lingevedlt pointed out. “And that to me was a massive achievement, as no one could manage that. Here I came from humble beginnings and I did what no one expected, you know. I also represented my club and area of Bonteheuwel, so I had to be an ambassador as well,” he concluded.
