While Rygersdal FC Chairman, Justin Asher, is “unpacking” the club’s history for its upcoming 50th anniversary, his head coach, Ashraf Calvert (pictured), is embarking on a mission to bring back the glory years and turn them into a powerhouse of Cape Town football again.
Who can forget the club’s star players like Nevin Payne, Shamiel Friday, amongst others, who left an indelible mark during their time at the club, when the club was at its peak in the early nineties.
Rygersdal certainly held their own and ruffled feathers during their time in the National Soccer League’s (NSL) Regional Second Division (current First Division), which was one tier away from the National First Division (current PSL), where the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates featured.
Subsequently, Rygersdal were demoted and quickly declined into the abyss of amateur football – until now after they acquired the status of Clover FC a few months ago.
Needless to say, Calvert is buzzing with optimism that Rygersdal can once again become a professional entity in the near future, adding the possibilities are endless.
“I mean, the potential the club has… and when everything is done right, the club can become a real force,” Calvert stated to No Bones with Jones. “I can definitely see a professional club at Rygersdal as they have everything in place, so that is what excites me – the potential in the club.
“And I think the youth and the quality of the youngsters that we have, and creating a platform for them and showing that we can do it on our own,” he added.
According to Calvert, the Third Division newbie has prepared as well as they could, and is raring to kick off their new journey.
Calvert, who has coached in this league before with Greenwood Athletic and Camps Bay, is bracing himself for a baptism of fire against season campaigners Silver Spurs when they start their new journey at the Meadowridge Sport Complex on Friday.
“Just know that 97 percent of our players are local and from within the club,” Calvert reminded. “It’s all about giving the boys a chance and showing what can be done with proper structures. Also, some of the players we have played in the Second Division and Third Division before, but it is just our youngsters who are new. It’s going to be a bit of both, new and experienced ones, and I think it will balance out,” Calvert concluded.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY CONRAY SWAIL
