My childhood memories are enriched with Kingsmead, with Durban City and the lesser forces of Durban United and Addington Football Club. I easily recall the sights and the sounds and the excitement I knew when Durban City took to the field on Wednesday nights and I watched Bobby Chalmers, John Rugg, and Alan Varner shoot warm-up shots at the lithe and invincible George Wooten.

And, in the unusual event Durban United’s Ronnie Mann dribbled past both full backs, drew Wooten out of his goal, and sent the ball plummeting into the back of the net, the pain I felt, even this many years later, I recall as if it occurred only yesterday!

Yes, Mr. Mann, despite my stubborn allegiance to Durban City, I too climbed the fence and ran across the field for your autograph at the end of a game, even though at the time of my urgent involvement, you fielded in enemy colours. Even then, I concede, I was able to see what a superb soccer player you were – and now – in your passing and your new-found eternal rest, may you take with you the knowledge that you were a hero to many a young boy who cheered on the sidelines at Kingsmead and at other soccer stadiums all over South Africa, even if you did spend a lot of time wearing the “wrong” colors!

Posted on May 5, 2009 at 8:38 pm in Difficult Relationships   |  RSS feed |   Reply   |   Trackback URL