Some of the members of Saints Opus FC's 'reunion committee' who were responsible for gathering old friends together over the weekend.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media
Former players, administrators and supporters of Chatsworth-based football team Saints Opus FC took a trip down memory lane when they gathered for a reunion at Depot Memorial Primary School on Saturday.
Various speakers reflected nostalgically on Saints Opus’ achievements, as well as the doings of the club’s administrators and outstanding footballers who donned the team’s traditional blue and yellow colours over the years.
Saints Opus was formed in 1990 after two Bayview-based rivals, Saints FC and Opus FC, both with their own rich football history and legacy, decided to join forces.
The newly formed club soon became one of the powerhouse outfitts in Chatsworth during the 1990s.
Stalwarts of the Saints Opus FC, Daya Govender and Chris Reddy light a candle in remembrance of members of the club who have passed away.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media
Among Saints Opus’ major achievements was winning the Chatsworth and Districts Football Association Premier League title unbeaten during the 1995 season.
That achievement qualified Saints Opus for a slot in the Southern Natal Football Association’s promotion playoffs.
The team, managed by Gary Moodley and Thamodran “Builder” Balakisten, and coached by Bailey Nair, a former Royals FC player, won the playoffs and annexed the Natal Cup in the process.
The victory secured Saints Opus a berth in Southern Natal’s Division Two league for the 1996/97 season.
Some of the attendees at Saints OPUS FC's reunion event.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media
Another high for Saints Opus was clinching Chatsworth’s Easter Tournament title in the 1998/99 season under the guidance of manager Daniel Moonsamy and coach Mike Samuels, a former Federation Professional League player with Manning Rangers.
The club returned to domestic football a season later.
In 2001, Chatsworth’s football structures underwent a process of regionalisation, where clubs from the various “units” that made up the south of Durban suburb joined forces to improve their effectiveness and competitiveness as football entities.
Through this process, Saints Opus, Symphony Isles, Juventus, Bayview Sporting and Bayview City merged to form Bayview United Sporting Club.
Shaun Vasinathan and Paula Ramsamy at the Saints Opus FC's reunion event.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media
Shaun Vasinathan, convenor of the Saints Opus reunion committee, said the gathering had been a long time coming and a success.
“We realised that meeting friends at funerals to lay our old heroes to rest was not ideal, so we decided to change that dynamic.
“It took a great effort from the organising committee to get things arranged. It turned out to be a wonderfully executed event where old friends were able to spend time together, just like the old days,” said Vasinathan.
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