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Former Stellenbosch and CT City goalie makes career switch at 28

Cape Town City goalkeeper Reid Bombay. Pics by Reid Bombay:Facebook
Reid Bombay’s life has taken a brave new turn. The former Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City goalkeeper has swapped gloves for a helmet and joined the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service Department.

Born and raised in the tough streets of Lavender Hill, Bombay’s football journey began at Steenberg United in the third division before earning his dream move to Cape Town City in 2020. “My journey at Steenberg United was nothing but great. I had my doubts and a roller coaster ride of emotions,” Bombay said upon his move to the Citizens.

At City in the 2020/21 season, Bombay was third choice behind Dutch veteran Peter Leeuwenburgh and Marc Anderson, while teenage keeper Luca Diana-Oliaro completed the depth chart.

A year later, he left the Mother City for the Winelands, signing for Stellenbosch FC. His patience paid off when he made his Betway Premiership debut in May 2023,  keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Despite the solid showing, he was left out of the next matchday squad, with Sage Stephens reclaiming the No.1 spot.

Former Stellenbosch and CT City goalkeeper Reid Bombay career change.
Former Stellenbosch and CT City goalkeeper Reid Bombay is now a firefighter. Pics Reid Bombay/Facebook

ANOTHER LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT

At the end of the campaign, Stellies decided not to extend his stay, leaving Bombay without a club. Reflecting on that debut, he told 021 Footballers in October 2024:

“It’s an experience of a lifetime because it’s what I dreamed of growing up as a kid. It came as a surprise, but it’s a moment I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Under the floodlights against a team like SuperSport United was surely a dream come true.”

That same year brought another milestone, the birth of his baby boy.

Asked about his career plans, he admitted that football had taken a back seat. “I can’t say much about how it’s going now because at the moment I don’t have a team,” he said at the time.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Bombay has found a new purpose, serving his city as a firefighter. A different kind of pressure, one that demands courage and greater responsibility.

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