One can hardly believe that Seaside Spurs celebrated only its second year of existence on Tuesday.
For a club so young and what they have achieved is remarkable. Those who are familiar with its origin and brief history will testify that its chairman Earl Cloete has been the catalyst for this burst of progression.
One of its co-founders and a veteran player, Diego Brown, has also played a very instrumental part in the clubs success thus far.
Along with another seasoned campaigner in Franklin Cale, the trio has not only increased the football rivalry in Ocean View, but also offer alternatives for talented players to once again dream of reaching the stars.
Brown, who will be 37 years-old in July, has a career that spans over two decades with PSL clubs such as Chippa United as well as NFD outfits such as Milano United and Steenberg United.
Brown recalled when Cloete called and enlightened him about the project. “It was a no brainer,” he said. “I didn’t have any thoughts I just said yes why not,” Brown told No Bones with Jones. “I’ve known Earl since creche we grew up together and we were always close…and to see how he has grown into the person he is today I won’t lie lol he showed those signs on school already – he always worked with the money making the plans etc…ja, that would be Earl,” Brown stated.
Seaside has in its debut season really caught the attention of local football fans – especially with the fairytale run in the Coke Cup two years ago but was unfortunately eliminated in the semi final by Clover FC.The promotion to the ‘graveyard league’ is also no fluke.
The newbies have taken it by storm and have humbled season campaigners and title contenders like Cape Town City and Saxon Rovers so far this season, making waves like only they can.
According to Brown, they had to put shoulder to wheel to put in the structures to not only ensure that the club has a solid foundation, but also to make them competitive on the playing field.
“Looking back it was not always easy but being in the position we are ,you can say it was worth all the time and the sacrifice that we have put in to make sure we achieve the goal set out since day one,” Brown further explained.
“We, myself and Frankie had to double up ad coaches and players on match days some days we had to play first team and second team – just to honour our fixture. But it was all worth it.
“And of course going to the playoffs and winning it for the first time was the greatest feeling especially for the guys who never won or achieved anything in their careers … .to see a guy like Franklin crying after winning the playoffs tells you everything. I mean man has won every trophy in South Africa…and this is a playoff at amateur level.
“The guys really put in a lot so far and we can only get better you bit we are definitely on the right path as so many things are happening for us as a club – we are very humbled and don’t lose sight of our goals and that is also to uplift our communities and to inspire the next generation,” said Brown.
Seaside also raised a few eyebrows at the start of the season when they unveiled the former Bafaba Bafana striker Gerald Stober as their new coach and the man to take them to newer heights – and boy what a job Stober is doing.
Yes, the coastal outfit might not be in a position to challenge for honours this season in the Hollywoodbets Third Division, but they are holding their own with great aplomb sitting solidly in smack bang in the middle position with 10 games remaining.
Rest assured that it will only be a matter of time before Seaside will wear the “title-favourites” tag as they are an extremely ambitious club.
Needless to say that they are putting to shame a lot of clubs that have been in this Third Division for a very long time. It’s because they are focussed and share a common goal – everyone knows their roles and respects the game.
“I think for me, if you say you are just in the league to survive or just to maintain the status your dreams or ambition are way too small,” Brown added. “We are in this league to win it and yes, we might be a little off but I think our mentality has always been to win things. We are definitely learning along the way with the players who are new to the league and to the club.
“It’s all learning experiences but we hold our own in this league. We could be easily third or top with some better results and consistency in some games but it’s something you can still fix as a coach u know. Besides, we also have a great coach in Stober who gives us the freedom to express ourselves. He trusts us and allows players to make mistakes. He is also a fantastic human being.
“Needless to say we have some exceptional talent that can play in the PSL like Ashley Wyngaard, who is one of the best players in this league and he is without a doubt my favourite player. No disrespect to all others but he doesn’t belong in this league. Our goal is to finish as strong as possible in our remaining games and with football you know anything can still happen. And this club is definitely a sleeping giant,” Brown concluded.
Brown is also a true class act – on and off the field as his achievements speak for itself. He would also offer his time to assist the elderly by going to the shop for them and seeing to their needs. Along with the brain trust of Cloete, Cale and other executive members such as Romeo Jameson and Shane Petersen, they are true role models.
Seaside resume their Third Division campaign with an away match against JL Zwane on Saturday.
