Goulburn have its mojo back – ready to put the Met back on the map

Let’s face it! The Metropolitan LFA in Bonteheuwel, with its dilapidated and severely vandalised ‘White House’ infrastructure, is nothing to behold these days and truthfully, a sight for sore eyes!

Flooded sewerage and water pipes, lack of ablution facilities and running water, broken windows and hardly any security fencing is what greets – and intimidates (visiting) spectators to the Met these days.

Alas! That does not mean it spells all doom and gloom for clubs who play their soccer at the  ‘Met’ – and it also does not mean that nothing positive is brewing there.

Goulburn Athletic, once the pride of Bonteheuwel, is on a mission to prove that all is not lost in this gang and drug infested area. Yes, Gouldburn might not possess the glitz and glamour as some of its illustrious rivals left in the prestigious Coke Cup, but you dare not write them off as they have shown thus far in this prestigious cup competition.

It is fair to say that the Bonteheuwel-based outfit is definitely the surprise package in this year’s Coke Cup as they have bulldozed some big names thus far to progress to the quarterfinals where their more influential opponents, Wynberg St. Johns, await.

This game is scheduled for 15:30 at the Khayelitsha Stadium on Sunday – and who knows – maybe another upset could be on the cards?

Goulburn’s coach Sardick Barends and his assistant Toufeeq Dollie, has masterminded victories against strong opposition like Ukhanya United (2-0), FC Porto (2-1), Ontario (9-1), Chili Boys (1-0), Everton (2-0) and Young Pirates (2-0).

Barends conceded that their good run in the Coke Cup thus far is a huge surprise for him as well.

“Aah! You know, we are just trying to get Bonteheuwel back on the map,” Barends indicated. “What people don’t realize is that we have a young team with an average age of 25 years – with the youngest player being 17 years old.

“All the players are local and from the Bonteheuwel area and I think that is why they have a close bond too. I think the key for me is their hunger, passion and determination to compete against the best football teams and to show them there is no gap in our technical ability. It’s just the mind-set.

”You need to have a monster mentality and believe you are good enough. I think they are doing that currently and see where my players are now. They are amongst the big teams. Previously they used to speak about moments like this, now they are experiencing it,” Barends further stated.

The 30-year-old Barends is probably one of the youngest coaches remaining in the competition, but he has a not too shabby track record as a player.

The left-back won the Second Division title with Glendende United back in the 2014/’15 season under the watchful eyes of Bradley August. Barends also followed August to Hout Bay Football Community Development club where he played for one season.

Barends subsequently had a stint with Vasco da Gama in the Third Division before linking up with Junction Rovers where they won the Third Division League title with Chrissando de Weber.

Goulburn, established in 1934 in Goulburn Street in Goodwood, was forced to move to Bonteheuwel through the Group Areas Act during the Apartheid-era.

It is in this ghetto town where they found their mojo and provided stiff competition for rival clubs such as Sea Point Swifts and Bluegum Wizards on both the junior and senior fronts.

In 1991 they merged with Bluegum Athletic to form Goulburn Athletic.

Their current chairman Frank Smith – who has been at the club since a 13-year-old – acknowledged that has witnessed all the highs and lows at his beloved club.

By the look of things their fortunes are changing this season as they are also the log leaders on the Met vying for the league title.

Smith indicated that glory days beckons and there are once again worthy reasons to be excited about their prospects.

“Our senior team is leading the way for the juniors and there is something to aspire to for the youngsters,” said Smith.

“Success has been far and few of late, but we have held our head high and plugged on. We are aware that this a tough competition, but we are looking forward to a possible final – we are allowed to dream, aren’t we?” he added.

Win or lose, one can only imagine how proud club legends such as Raymond “Rama” Swarts (now retired) and the late Paulsen-brothers, August ‘Augie’ and Christoper are right now as Gouldburn are once again a beacon of hope in Bonteheuwel – just as they were during the dark days of Apartheid.