Friends, family and the soccer fraternity of Leeds United Football Club in Lentegeur and Heideveld are hosting a Douglas Petersen Commemoration Legends Soccer tournament on Saturday 18 February at the Greens in Walmer Estate.
Petersen was the founder of the club in 1970 and many soccer players came through his hands.
He was instrumental in the soccer career of Cole Alexander, former Ajax Cape Town player, currently playing for Kaizer Chiefs, after his stint in the Indian Soccer League.
Petersen coached Alexander from their junior days and helped him to go for trials at Ikamva, Ajax’s home in Parow.
Squads of 20 to 30 players over 50 years of age will be in action in games of 20 minutes each, with roll-on substitutions.
“When Petersen started the club, we played under the Cape Flats LFA, Football Association Western Province and Lentegeur LFA.
“He played soccer himself and established the club in Heideveld and when Mitchell’s Plain opened up he moved to Mandalay where he settled until his passing through Covid in January 2021,” says Malcolm Hoffmeester, the only surviving member of the executive of which Petersen was the chair.
The coach Mervyn Natus and Ismail Davids (vice) all passed due to Covid-19.
When Petersen moved to Mandalay the club grew in numbers. He served under Gilbert Kruger, LFA Mitchell’s Plain chair.
Petersen not only started with juniors in the different age groups but his wife Jean was his pillar and strength through the years.
“In 2003, Petersen reached his highlight as club owner when Leeds won the regional competition of the Coca-Cola club competition.
“This is a tough competition as you play against 132 teams from all over the metro and you have to travel to Hout Bay, Manenberg, Gugulethu and Athlone to fulfill your league obligations. We played against Cape Town Pirates in the final at the Athlone Stadium and received a trophy and a cheque for R20 000,” says Hoffmeester.
When soccer lovers in Heideveld decided to host the tournament to commemorate Petersen, his wife asked Hofmeester to do a joint celebration which is happening on Saturday.
“If you ask anyone in Mitchell’s Plain or the broader soccer community about Petersen you’ll realise how well-known he is. You’ll hear from them how he helped players to go for trials at Milano and Cape Town Spurs, besides Ajax Cape Town. In recognition of what Petersen meant to Alexander in his soccer career and development, he handed a cheque for R10 000 over in 2016, which Petersen was not expecting.
“Through the years Petersen contributed towards the club out of his own pocket. He was an entrepreneur who worked from home designing and manufacturing jerseys and tracksuits for soccer clubs. Besides soccer he was active in his church as well,” says Hoffmeester.
The gates open at 11:30 on Saturday and at the end of the event, his wife will receive a commemoration plaque.
- Contact Hoffmeester on 078 664 8330 for more information.
