Maritzburg United coach Simo Dladla will hope to take the club back to the Premiership next season. Photo: BackpagePix
Pietermaritzburg has lost one of its most loved sporting institutions after football side Maritzburg United announced their decision to relocate.
The Team of Choice now ply their trade in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, following their relegation from the top flight two seasons ago.
Since their fall to the second division, they lost the support of the Msunduzi Municipality, and were even kicked out of the Harry Gwala Stadium and replaced by Royal AM.
Maritzburg’s ‘Friday nights under lights’ became a thing of the past as the club was forced to play all of its games last season at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.
Along with the relocation, the club is also expected to be renamed, a decision club CEO Younus Kadodia confirmed recently.
According to several reports, the Premier Soccer League have approved the use of the name Durban City FC, which they will take up when the new season kicks off under head coach Simo Dladla.
The club will play their games at Chatsworth Stadium, with their training base in the Pinetown area.
On Wednesday night, the club announced their decision to pack up and move from Pietermaritzburg.
Official Club Statement pic.twitter.com/NgDGrzM36H
— Maritzburg United FC (@MaritzburgUtd) August 14, 2024
They explained that the lack of support from the local municipality made it nearly impossible for the club to return to the top flight.
“After exhaustive efforts and much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to relocate the club to a new city, effective from the start of the 2024/2025 season,” the club statement read.
“This decision has been prompted by a lack of support from the leadership of our municipality.
“Despite our numerous efforts and attempts to engage in dialogue and find a solution regarding the use of a stadium for official league matches over the last 12 months, we have been unable to secure the necessary support to sustain the club in Pietermaritzburg and challenge for promotion back to the Premier Soccer League.”
Official Club Statement pic.twitter.com/NgDGrzM36H
— Maritzburg United FC (@MaritzburgUtd) August 14, 2024
Maritzburg have been in existence for 21 years, spending 15 of those in the top flight, and reached the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout finals.
They were also in the top eight for four seasons, their highest finish being fourth in the 2017/2018 season.
The club’s owners expressed their appreciation for the encouragement and devotion of the people who stood by their side.
“As we say goodbye, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, partners and most importantly, the ‘Blue Army’ – the club's incredible supporters,” the club said.
“We understand that the moving of the club to a new city is disappointing and frustrating for all of those who have been associated with the Team of Choice.
“But please understand that this decision was not made lightly, and was guided purely by the basis of ensuring that the club has the best possible chance of challenging for promotion back to the Premier Soccer League.”