Santos FC goalkeeper Stanton Weir is one of the most successful goalkeepers in the amateur ranks of Safa Cape Town.
In 2019 the 29-year-old shot-stopper won promotion with Woodlands United to the Third Division and also bagged the prestigious Coke Cup title in the same year.
He was rewarded with the man-of-the-match performance for his heroics against Hanover Park FC in the Cup Final.
Subsequently, he won the Third Division title and the playoffs to the Second Division with Young Pirates under the tutelage of his current coach, Roger Fortune.
These achievements led to him being voted the Western Cape Player of the Year in 2019.
Weir then followed this up in the 2020/2021 season with a regional Nedbank medal with Woodlands, but they eventually fell short against Zizwe United in the final playoffs for the Nedbank.
Yet, due to his 1.7m height, or rather the lack thereof (for a goalie), a professional contract still eluded him.
But Weir is not really fazed and sees this as water on a duck’s back.
“Look, if it was meant to be, it would have been the case,” Weir told No Bones with Jones.
“It is any player’s dream to get a professional contract and to play at the highest level, but I cannot control the fact that people see my height as an obstacle. I cannot worry too much about these things – I just keep on playing and whatever happens, happens” he added.
The shot-stopper is hoping his successes in the past could rub off on the People’s Team and that his third season with the club will be the proverbial lucky one.
Santos is however drawn in a stream (A) with big guns such as the defending champions, Young Bafana, FN Rangers, Hanover Park FC and Ubuntu FC amongst others.
“The ABC Motsepe League by its very nature is tough in general,” Weir added. “Teams don’t come into the league just to make up numbers. Everyone wants to compete as it’s a step closer to gaining pro status in South African football.
“I have a weird feeling that if we have the necessary luck on our side this season, then we’ll go all the way as in football you do need that bit of luck, you know. Since I’ve been at Santos we’ve really been trying to win the league. Last season we came close but ended third in our stream, so hopefully, luck will be on our side this season to go all the way,” he added.
Santos’ coach Roger Fortune has made some strategic and key signings to bolster his squad for the season after roping in players like Shamiem Jonas and Rabian Beukes amongst others.”
Santos kick off their campaign on Sunday with an interesting one against the mighty FN Rangers at Royal Road.
Fortune led the team to the Round of 32 last season where they lost against Maruma Gallants in a match that was televised.
Weir says this spurred them on and they would want to go one further this time round.
Weir explained: “Rangers is a top team and we have to be at our best but we are not worried about our opponents. There is excitement in our group and the guys are buzzing and ready to go,” Weir concluded.
