Club History
In August 2005 Volkswagen South Africa purchases struggling KwaZulu-Natal based National First Division outfit Maritzburg United.
It’s the Uitenhage-based car manufacturing corporate citizen’s response to a challenge from then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Nceba Faku, who had called on local business to help establish a Professional Soccer League (PSL) team by the year 2010.
The Nelson Mandela Bay had just been chosen as one of the host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was in the process of building a 48 000-people capacity stadium for the global football spectacle. In November 2005, after relocating the franchise to Port Elizabeth, the club embarks on a public participation process in search of a suitable name.
Interviews are conducted at taxi ranks. Opinions are sought on the streets and in public radio shows. Newspaper advertisements are placed. All in an attempt to make the process as inclusive as possible. Participants in the process automatically qualify for a lucky draw. The prize is a trip to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. At the end of the process a shortlist is drawn up comprising of the names Madiba United, Madiba Suns, Bay Siders, eBhayi Stars and Madiba Bay United.
The club settles for Madiba Bay United and meets Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela to request his blessing in using the name. Madiba agrees “in principle” – subject to approval by his Foundation. The foundation later disapproves and the club settles for Bay United.
In 2006, in order to strengthen the capacity base of the club, Volkswagen also purchases the University of Port Elizabeth School of Excellence, a soccer development facility that had a second division franchise. The school becomes the club’s academy, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent to feed Bay United and other senior clubs in the region.
In July 2007, the senior team ends the season as the second best in the NFD Coastal Stream, with 45 points (won 14 games out of 21, drew in three and lost only four).
In August 2007, Volkswagen South Africa announces that it has sold Bay United to Izingwe Holdings, an investment company headed by Port Elizabeth businessman Sipho Mila Pityana.
A year later, Bay United beats Gauteng side FC AK 2-1 in the last leg of promotional play-offs – a remarkable achievement for a team only in its third year of existence. The team is promoted to PSL at the end of 2007/08 season.
In the 2009/10 SEASON, the team gets relegated back to NFD. At the end of the season after the club failed to qualify for the promotional playoffs, the club owners sold the Club franchise to a Limpopo based businesswoman, Ms. Julia Lerato Mogaladi.
In 2010/2011 the Club became the champions of NFD Coastal Stream and lost out on promotion to Premier Soccer League after losing on Streams champions playoffs as well as losing in the final of Promotional playoffs.
In 2011/12 SEASON, the Club relocated to Limpopo in Polokwane having spent one season in coastal under the new Club owner. After series of engagements with stakeholders, the Club then decided to change the name of the Club from that of Bay United Football Club to Polokwane City Football Club with effect from the 01st of August 2012.
The Club village which comprises of offices and team members residence is located at 55 Palmfontein, Soetdoring Polokwane. The change of name is as a result of accommodating the Club strategies in re-positioning the brand.
2012/13 SEASON: With the club finally relocating to Limpopo, it was expected that Rise and Shine will now fight for Promotion to the PSL as Chairman Johnny Mogaladi wooing decent players eager to realise his dream.
But when all was said and done for the grueling season, tragedy struck with the team losing four of its players following a horrific car accident that shocked the soccer fraternity.
Koketso Takalo, Robert Mphuti, Moeketsi Nthete and Silverster Mpkatsane were unlucky not to see the end of the day after the team minibus was hit by a car, allegedly driven by a drunk driver as they were returning home after playing to a draw against FC AK.
But following messages of condolences including then SAFA president Kirsten Nematendani and PSL chairman Irvin Khoza who took his time and visit City’s chairman, the players responded swiftly as they returned with a bang.
Not only did the players start winning matches, they played with maturity and shocked their competitors and when City clinched a spot for promotion against Roses FC away from home, tears of joy flooded all over the place to cap a touch but remarkable season.
With the league chairman Irvin Khoza presenting City with their deserving trophy and players such as Essau Kanyenda taking over the Player of the Season and the Leading Goal Scorer Award, it was clear how adversity was turned into charm as the team was now the heart and soul of Limpopo in the PSL.
2013/2014 SEASON: The season might have not started well for the promoted side as they lost their first five league matches but managed to return to winning ways at the expense of Ajax Cape Town to record their historical first win in the PSL and move away from the basement.
The chairman also took time to dig deeper into his pockets when he did something that few club bosses can do when since the season has started, he has being playing for the fans transportation and tickets. As if that was not enough, City recorded a massive turnaround in supporters when they played their first knockout competition match against Kaizer Chiefs with a sizable and appetizing crowd
2014/2015 SEASON: The team finished position 15 that qualified for PSL Play offs. City managed to win the play offs and maintained The PSL Status.
2015/2016 SEASON: Finished position 12 on the PSL Log
2016/2017 SEASON: Qualified for MTN 8 for the first time after finishing position 6 on the PSL log.
Achievements
- 2007/8 SEASON – Promotion to the Premier Division
- 2010/11 SEASON – WINNERS OF THE COASTAL STREAM
- 2012/13 SEASON- NFD Winners (Promotion to the Premier Division)
- 2016/2017 SEASON – Finished in position 6 (Qualified for MTN 8)
Home Ground
Old and New Peter Mokaba Stadium’s
