The Greek gods have finally deserted Cape Town’s Hellenic. Owner George Hadjidakis sold his club for R4-million to Benoni businessman Makhosini Ndlovu. The 46-year-old club has finally given in to financial pressure after twice escaping relegation by the skin of its teeth. Cape soccer supporters have not only lost a club, they now have only two teams competing in the Castle Premiership (Ajax Cape Town and Santos).
Hellenic’s name will stand until the end of the season, but those donning the team’s jersey will have plied their trade in the first-division coastal team Premier United, something that will take diehard Hellenic fans some getting used to. Meanwhile, Hellenic’s original players will have to adjust to playing for Premier United, who are not yet in the Premier League.
In order for these team transfers to take place, original players from each side who wish to continue playing for their club will this month have to register either as Premier Soccer League (PSL) players (to become part of Premier United) or first-division players (to become part of Hellenic). Otherwise they will have to sell their services to other clubs.
While the sale of Hellenic will be a loss to Hadjidakis, Premier United are on their way up the ranks, at fifth position in the first division. All Hadjidakis has to do is get his renamed team promoted to the premiership.
As the new owner of Hellenic, Ndlovu, on the other hand, has to fight off relegation with only 14 games remaining and the team still at the bottom of the league table, with only one win, three draws and 12 losses.
‘I believe that we still have a chance to avoid relegation as there are still 14 more games to play before the end of the season,†he said.
He is currently negotiating with a number of coaches to take over the coaching job at the club and will be looking to buy two more players to boost his squad during the transfer window.
While the new owner and his players are happy to be part of the Premiership from this month, those in the current Hellenic team have had meetings with their management to discuss their future.
‘I am amazed and surprised at Hellenic being sold,†said PSL boss Trevor Phillips. When asked whether other club owners would follow suit in selling their clubs if they found themselves in financial difficulty, Phillips said: ‘It does not make sense to sell a league club as the league is now good business, with many rewards such as cup competitions and a monthly grant of R350 000.â€
The new-look Hellenic will be based in Benoni. Their first game takes place on Sunday at the Pam Brink stadium in Springs against Jomo Cosmos. Cosmos go into this game happy after defeating Castle Premiership defending champions Orlando Pirates 3-1 last week.
The new Hellenic will be hoping to walk away with three points against Cosmos to show their boss that they truly deserve to be playing in the Premiership after entering it through the back door, as it were.
For many soccer scribes and followers the demise of Hellenic was imminent, but none expected the team to go down this path. The ‘Greek gods†have fought relegation many times, but this time, they were not up to another fight.
Hellenic last won silverware in the 1976 Chevrolet Cup. The club has honed and been home to many talented players who are now in other premiership clubs.
Among them are Peter Petersen, Edzai Kasinauyo, Grant Young and two-goal hero of the 1996 Nations Cup, Mark Williams. The club has not only produced great players but great coaches such as Gavin Hunt, who has now revived Moroka Swallows.