Ferreirinho honoured after Northerns renames fields after him
He started the club 50 years ago.
Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC) founder Manny Ferreirinho shed tears of joy when the club renamed the football fields next to the clubhouse after him on June 29.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
“When I started this club, I never thought this would happen. I’m not here for the personal accolades. I’m here to see the club grow stronger.”
Surrounded by his family, club members, Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) and Old Bens officials, Ferreirinho explained he never thought the BNFC would grow into one of the biggest and most attractive clubs for young footballers in the region when he started it 50 years ago.
“I played football for a company in Boksburg. I was playing cricket here and questioned myself about starting a football section for Northerns. I never in my wildest dreams thought this club would become this big and I’d also receive this honour,” he said.
The club launched the careers of former and current professional players like former Orlando Pirates defender Gavin Lane, Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalie Rowen Fernandez and SuperSport United’s leading all-time goal-scorer Bradley Grobler.
“When we started, we had two senior teams. Today, we’ve got four senior teams and 47 junior teams.”
The BNFC chairperson Rodney Farrell said it was a fitting time to honour Ferreirinho.
“It’s our 50th anniversary. For the club, it’s a gesture to Manny for his 50 years of service. He’s still active as a referee and still contributes to this club he started,” said Farrell.
“We thought of ways to honour and say thank you to Manny. He’s also not getting younger so we thought this would be a fitting tribute,” added Farrell.
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