Club ‘develops into amazing institution’

THE famous Hasbeens Soccer Club has come a long way since it was formed in 1975, participating in many local tournaments and also touring overseas countries.

The club will hold its annual match at the University of the South Pacific grounds next Friday followed by its annual meeting and prize presentation ceremony and award night at the corporate box of Pleass Global Ltd/Pacific Legal Network at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Hasbeens Soccer Club senior member Vijay Madhavan thanked Tomasi Tuitoga and Faizal Hanif for providing the venue.

He said the founder, Geoff Green, saw the potential of many expatriates who had played a reasonable standard of football in the United Kingdom.

“So he thought that drawing on this potential, a team of more mature expatriates could match the top local sides without the same amount of effort,” Madhavan said.

“An enthusiastic team was rounded up, and it included amongst others ex-Liverpool Marine and HK Combined Services player, Geoff Green who was the Hasbeens founder, ex-bishop Auckland, Jim Briggs, Crystal Palace’s Conrad Potts, Carlisle United trialist Alistair Ward and John Morrison and Paddy 0’Sullivan of local league fame and both from the USP.”

Madhavan said they were later on joined by Peter Knight and Malcolm Harrison.

“As the team was mainly made up of players that had played a good standard of football, so the name Hasbeens was established.

“Hasbeens has developed into an amazing institution. The side plays twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

“Over the years several local players and many other expatriates from other countries such as New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy, Holland, Japan, Malaysia, USA, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Egypt, Eritrea, Zambia, Russia, South Africa, Tonga, Madagascar and Kenya have been recruited and played for the Hasbeens.

“The locals have all been to high calibre league or national players who have helped keep the standard up and their services are valued.

“The Hasbeens have developed a special relationship with some local sides.

“There has always been keen competition and sometimes fierce, but overall, many friends have been made.”

The Hasbeens have participated twice in the World Fun Cup on the Gold Coast in Australia, having been placed third on all occasions.

Madhavan said the club had travelled to Brisbane, Australia, for the 2007 Asia Pacific Veterans Cup.

“On our local trips, the club has played in Ba, Lautoka, Levuka, Sigatoka, Nadi and Savusavu.”