20 September 2018 – Sitting at the top of the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League with four wins from four, Magic Football Club (formed in 2003) need not rely on any magicians for their success.
Instead, hard work and a different approach to previous seasons has seen the team improve in leaps and bounds under chairman, managing director and co-owner Mr Miles October.
MySAFA managed to catch up with Mr October as he detailed his thoughts on the positive season thus far, as well as his hopes and dreams for this charming football club.
“We have actually been in this position before but were unable to capitalize on that and eventually never recovered. I am happy thus far but we plan on taking it one match at a time and work harder week after week,” said October.
The club adopted a different approach to last season and even roped in a few extra support staff to give them the edge.
“We are training even harder than previous years, which include mornings as well as afternoons with a keen focus on technique and organization. We train as if we are a fully professional Premier Soccer League team. We have even hired a conditioning coach to ensure optimum fitness levels,” he said.
Speaking about both short-term and long-term goals, the chairman is confident that dreams can come true.
“Firstly our aim is to keep on winning and we wish to emulate the likes of Manchester City, who basically had things wrapped up by Christmas. We then want to compete in the National First Division (NFD) and use that as a stepping stone to enter the PSL, which is the ultimate dream,” added and excited October.
The club mean business this season and have roped in some decent talent.
“We now have players of NFD and PSL calibre. We wish to build a proper squad and keep the same members when entering the NFD as continuity is important,” said the chairman.
Those NFD and PSL stars include the likes of Thando Mngomeni (Wits/Supersport), Jaleel Johnson (Chippa United), Wade Crowie (Santos), Howard Davis (Richards Bay), Nazeer Jacobs (Polokwane City) and Thurlow Wood (Cape Town All Stars).
However, away from the rigors of the tough ABC Motsepe League, the club also focus on Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and outreach projects with their Football Magic Program.
“We love using football as a tool for helping out where we can. Our players will be involved in a local football festival in Maitland next weekend in which they will be referring and managing proceedings. It is our way of giving back to the community,” concluded October.
With the likes of former Bafana Bafana striker George Dearnaley as part of the coaching team and their partnership with Old Mutual, Magic FC looks to be well on their way to realizing their ambitions.
The team are next in action this Friday evening (21 September) at 19h00 when they host HBU FC at the Old Mutual Sports Club