Where there’s smoke, there’s (usually) fire – but in this instance, nothing for now…
Those who spotted Rygersdal FC’s Third Division head coach, Ashraf Calvert (pictured), putting Seaside Spurs’ ABC Motsepe League side through their paces ahead of the clash against Hope FC at the Erica Park Sport Complex on Wednesday evening – (which they lost 0-1), could have been easily fooled in thinking he has replaced Gerald Stober at the coastal side.
But the fact of the matter is, Calvert has not (yet) and is still very much contracted to Rygersdal following confirmation of Seaside Spurs executive member, Earl Cloete.
“We haven’t discussed, agreed or anything about him coaching next year by us so him coaching here now is untrue,” Cloete stated to No Bones with Jones. “For now, he is consulting under his company’s name Developing Future Maestros (DFM) with the rest of the season where he’ll be working closely with coach Shane (Petersen).
“We also brought in two of our LFA coaches to support the ABC side with the training. But he (Calvert’s there 100 % and there’s no two ways about it. He is so passionate that if he could he’ll even sit on the bench for us but yeah we know it’s not possible which is why he is on a consultancy basis with his private company,” Cloete added.
DFM has been in existence for close to a decade and is playing an active role developing and shaping young football talent – whether girls or boys under the guidance of Calvert and other coaches like Mark Moatse and Mike Lamb.
Regarding Stober’s departure, Cloete revealed this to our website. “This was probably the toughest decision I had to make during my time in football administration, “Clete explained. “But it’s a decision we had to make after careful consideration. But that said, it’s like we posted on our social media that we’ve might lost a coach but certainly not a life member or a member of this club because his input will still be valuable not just a coach but as a human as well… And yes, Gerri will always be Seaside,” Cloete concluded.
No Bones with Jones understands that Calvert will continue with his duties and see out the season with Rygersdal who has been impressive in their debut season under him despite their recent drop in form. It has also been rumoured that not everyone is currently on the same page at Rygers no more hence the sudden uncharacteristic winless run of five losses and one draw in the previous six games.
