Former Bafana Bafana defender and Santos legend Edries Burton has finally broken his silence after an Arbitrators Forum ruled in favour and vindicated his former club.
The 56-year-old Burton is not one that often speaks in the public domain, but this time, he felt the need to speak out about his beloved club.
This follows a month-long legal battle after Safa Western Cape abused its powers and deliberately and wrongfully expelled Santos from the ABC Motsepe League, as well as the Nedbank Cup in October, for standing up for their rights.
“I’m just happy that common sense prevailed and justice was served – not just to Santos, but the football in Cape Town and the broader South Africa as well,” Burton revealed to No Bones with Jones.
“This is also testimony to the perseverance and resilience of one man and one man only, Mr. Goolam Allie, who is an individual who stands up and fights for righteousness.
“So, I sincerely hope that clubs, old and new, will take a leaf out of his book and stand up for what they believe – and always strive to do the right thing and in the best interest of football,” Burton added.
Burti, as he is known, played over 400 matches for Santos – the first stint between 1989 -1991 and then again between 1997 and 2007 – and remains the most successful captain in the history of Cape Town football after he guided the People’s Team to unprecedented success in the Premier League and other national competitions.
Under Burton’s leadership, which was also Santos’ golden era – they won all the trophies on offer – the PSL title (2001/’02), followed by the Bob Save Super Bowl (2001), the BP Top 8 a year later in 2002 as well as the Absa Cup (2003).
Given the deep connection, affection and history he has with Santos, the Cape stalwart can’t forget the role it played in his football career.
This is also evident in the fact that Burton’s son, Aniq, is playing in the same position and with the same number (23) as his dad in the current Santos team.
“Oh no, not a chance,” Burton pointed out. “It’s definitely not easy and virtually impossible to forget what it meant to me as Santos was my life, you know. The role it played, one cannot put any value to it and not just mine, but many others during our playing careers,” Burton concluded.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
