Our Viewpoint | Maritzburg United — Durban City
Many of them still regard the club as Maritzburg United, the team they supported for more than two decades.
When Durban City brought the Nedbank Cup trophy to Scottsville Mall on Saturday, hundreds of supporters turned out to celebrate.
Many of them still regard the club as Maritzburg United, the team they supported for more than two decades.
What stood out was the loyalty of the club’s blue and white supporters
ALSO READ | WATCH | Durban City fans urge Kadodia to bring club back to Pietermaritzburg
Despite the move to Durban and the change of name, they have remained committed to the team. Their message to chairperson Farook Kadodia was clear: Bring back the club to Pietermaritzburg.
Harry Gwala Stadium was once one of the country’s best football venues and the home of professional football in the city.
Match days brought excitement and economic activity, while the club gave local supporters something to rally behind. Professional football requires more than sentiment.
It needs a stable home, functioning infrastructure, access to facilities and sustainable sponsorship.
Those conditions must be in place before any discussion about a return can become a reality. Kadodia’s comments over the weekend were encouraging.
He said the trophy visit was intended to reassure supporters that the club had not turned its back on Pietermaritzburg.
He acknowledged the support base in the city and said the club’s roots remain firmly in Pietermaritzburg. What Saturday also demonstrated is that Pietermaritzburg has not lost its appetite for professional football.
ALSO READ | Nedbank Cup champs Durban City to celebrate with their PMB fans
The crowds that gathered to celebrate with the team showed there is still a strong and passionate supporter base in the city. Any future discussion about professional football in Pietermaritzburg must start with recognising that this support has never disappeared.
As the football world turns its attention to another global showpiece and supporters everywhere debate yellow cards, red cards and refereeing decisions, perhaps there is an appropriate footballing metaphor for those responsible.
For allowing a club so deeply woven into the fabric of Pietermaritzburg to leave, while its supporters remained behind, those responsible for the debacle deserve nothing less than a red card.
