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Vincent Pamire

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Saints FC members will meet in Bulawayo this evening to deliberate on the way forward as efforts to revive the once popular football brand continue.Vincent Pamire, the board of trustees chairman, confirmed the meeting.

“We’ve a meeting lined up with bona fide members. It’s a consultative gathering,” said Pamire.

The former Zifa vice president said efforts would continue in trying to revive Saints who became defunct at the beginning of the year as members could not stomach playing in the unfashionable Division Two league.

Another challenge was also that the club did not have funds to clear debts with the Zifa Southern Region and still stay functional to continue playing.

“There’ll be a report back from the board on the progress we’ve made since we got together and resolved that Saints can’t be let to disappear from Zimbabwe’s football landscape. We were a big brand and we’re still a big name and I believe with my colleagues Saints still has a future and the commitment appears to be there from all who care about the club. Even our neighbours Highlanders will be happy to renew rivalry with us,” said Pamire.

Plans for the 2015 season are among some of the items on the agenda as well as renewal of membership fees.

“It’s important that members renew membership, it’s seed money that will be used for the day-to-day running of the club. Paying membership fees is a sign of one’s commitment to the club and we’d like to see more people coming forward to start this project which we hope to see playing football again next year,” said Pamire.

In line with their quest for a transparent and effective management style, Pamire said: “We’ll also make plans for the 2015 annual general meeting. We believe in professional management and like was the case before, an annual general meeting will take place early next year.”

Formed in 1931, Saints is the second oldest club after Highlanders in the country.

Among some of its better known stars are former Vice President of Zimbabwe the late Joseph Msika, Gibson Homela, Ebson Sugar Muguyo, Henry MacKop, Pernell McKop, Tapiwa Mudyambanje, Ronald Sibanda, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ben Makadzange, Philemon Dangarembwa, George Ayibu, the late Onias Musana, Francis Ngara, Zebron Magorimbo, Musa Muzanenhamo, William Sibanda, John Sibanda, Obey Sova, Joseph Machingura and Shayne Khamal.

Saints remain Bulawayo’s third most successful club after Bulawayo Rovers in the 1950s and 1960s and Highlanders FC after Independence despite their problems in the last two decades.