Maritzburg United supporters celebrate during a Betway Premiership game against Bloemfontein Celtic FILE - Maritzburg United supporters celebrate during a Betway Premiership game against Bloemfontein Celtic. Photo: Motshwari Mofokeng/Independent Newspapers
The PSL have approved Maritzburg United’s name change to Durban City after the KZN club left the provincial capital to relocate to the coast.
The move comes after a long-running saga that saw them lose their home ground Harry Gwala Stadium to Royal AM after they were relegated from the Betway Premiership.
Last season, the historic club failed in their bid to gain promotion at their first attempt, and club boss Farook Kadodia attributed this to having to constantly shuttle to Chatsworth in Durban for their home games.
As they did not have their loyal fans behind them, they were not able to utilise the homeground advantage that served them so well in the top flight.
Kadodia relesead a statement on Tuesday, expressing his disappointment in having to move the club to Durban.
“This decision has been prompted by a lack of support from the leadership of our municipality,” the chairman said in the statement.
“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.
“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. Your unwavering support and passion have been the lifeblood of Maritzburg United.
“You have stood by us through victories and losses, through the good times and the challenging times, and your loyalty has been an integral part of our identity and success. We will always cherish the memories and achievements we have shared together, along with the close ties with the local community that were always at the heart of everything we did at the Team of Choice,” he said.
Last month, sports minister Gayton McKenzie threw his support behind Maritzburg United, and was quoted by local Pietermaritzburg newspaper, The Witness, saying losing the club would be letting “history go down the drain”.
“Your local team is part of you, the legacy of your hometown, and without this team, your legacy will be gone. Support the team and don’t let the local legacy and history go down the drain,” the sports minister was quoted by the newspaper.
IOL Sport
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