This is the ultimate passion of Raymond Cloete, who has taken over the first team coaching role at Old Bens Football Club from long-time coach Dave Clark.
When the City Times visited Cloete at his Morehill home his love for the sport was extremely evident, with photographs, scarves, jerseys and medals adorning his bar.
After a two-year break from coaching the beautiful game, Cloete has returned to put his unique mark on Old Bens’ elite team.
“It’s sort of like a Manchester United situation at Old Bens at the moment, with the management and coaching changes at the club,” said Cloete.
The coach is no stranger to Old Bens, and was the first team coach at the club alongside Steve Blackburn about 12 years ago, before Clark took charge.
“That was a good season for us,” he said.
“We placed second in the league and won the cup after defeating Boksburg Football Club in the final.”
Cloete has coached a number of junior teams at both Benoni Northerns and Old Bens, and does not allow himself to fall into a rivalry between the two Benoni teams.
“I have had the privilege to play and coach at both clubs and my sons, Jethson (Northerns) and Jarrid (Old Bens), used to play against each other in the local derby, so there is no ‘hatred’ for Northerns,” he said.
The coach is looking forward to a good season and is currently assessing his options for the team.
“I want to bring back the honour of playing in the first team, while uplifting Old Bens as well,” he said.
“We need our juniors to aspire to play in the first team, and that is what I am hoping to achieve.”
He added that his coaching style is more defensive than most coaches.
“I would rather win 1-0 than 4-3,” he added.
Cloete also wants to integrate the club’s second side as one unit, in order to achieve better results.
The coach added that he would like to continue the good work that has been done by his predecessor, Clark.
He has lived in Benoni all his life and played for Benoni Celtic, Benoni City FC (under Kenny Watts), as well as numerous seasons with Benoni Northerns’ vets team.
He has urged players who would like to play for his team to come to practise, get fit and work hard.
Training for the senior teams takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.45pm to 8.30pm, as well as on Sundays, from 9am to 11am, at Old Bens.
For more information, contact Cloete on 083 353 8045.
