Limpopo club Marumo Gallants are set to permanently relocate from the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane before the end of the current Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
According to a Mangaung-based online publication Step UP SA, DStv Premiership side Gallants have already applied to the PSL to play all their remaining matches in Bloemfontein.
FARPost has also gathered that players have been told that they need to start looking for accommodation in Pretoria.
This is because Gallants are set to play the remainder of their matches in the North West province.
There has been no confirmation of the move so far but what is now certain is that Gallants will not play the remainder of their matches in Polokwane.
WHAT MARUMO GALLANTS PLAYERS HAD TO SAY
FARPost reached out to some players, who spoke out on condition of anonymity regarding the imminent move.
“We have been told to serve notices at our flats and look for accommodation in Pretoria. It is confusing because we were told this a while back,” said one player.
“The news of the move to Bloemfontein we are hearing from you. No one has said anything. We asked the coach[Dan Malesela] today before training but he also has no answers,” said another player.
In a video circulating on social media, a Bloemfontein Celtic supporters’ leader is seen reading a letter supposedly fromGallants Chairman Sello Abram.
The supposed letter reads:
To the national Chairperson, Celtics supporters club, Bloemfontein. 30 November 2022.
“Dear Sir.
Intentions to relocate Marumo Gallants football club to Bloemfontein.
“We wish to reaffirm our solid and firm intentions to relocate our DStv Premiership team to your city and province as supported by the Free State provincial government.
“In amounts others the following manner; 1. Relocating the entire team to be based permanently in Bloemfontein. 2. Once the legal and procedural processes are concluded; we will play the remainder of our 2022/23 season matches in Bloemfontein.
3. Rebrand a team to a Celtic related name for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season. 4. We invite the Celtic family and the people of the free state in Bloemfontein to embrace this dream and walk the road with us.”
MARUMO GALLANTS RESPONSE
But in a short statement on Thursday, the club refuted the existence of the letter and said they would issue another update soon.
“In response to a video being circulated, Marumo Gallants F.C. chairman Mr Abram Sello would like to confirm that he has not written/dispatched any letter or statement regarding the future of the club, nor has he authorised any other person to speak on his behalf,” reads the club statement.
“Marumo Gallants will issue official updates and statements in due course.”
The relocation of Gallants would not come as a surprise. The club has struggled to attract support from either football fans or the private sector in Limpopo.
In addition, the club has seemingly jeopardised their relationship with the Polokwane municipality, where they host their PSL matches.
This comes after the club took their league match against Kaizer Chiefs to Rustenburg, a match that is viewed as a huge economic booster for the city and province.
RELATED STORY: Marumo Gallants set to loan out trio to lower division side
