Elliott: Man who did it his way

By Daily News Editor Michael Tarr

If luminary figures like Kaizer Motaung and Jomo Sono can rightly claim to be two of the most influential figures in the modern history of South African soccer, Norman Elliott, who died on Friday (2 Feb 2007) at the age of 79, would have to be up in that lofty company merely for the enormous impact he made on the sport after he first hit the headlines in 1959. Elliott, called the Silver Fox by friends and enemies alike, was one of the pioneers who launched professional soccer in this country when his beloved Durban City side quickly became one of the most dominant teams in the land. It was land, of course, that was lily white with the National Football League adhering to the law of the day and fielding no players of colour, as was the decree of the apartheid masters. Transcend Perhaps the most ironic and amazing part of Elliott’s appeal in the 1960’s and 1970’s, when the NFL was attracting the best of local talent, plus many who were stars in the British and European leagues, was that he managed to transcend the racial barriers and attract tens of thousands of Indian supporters who turned up every week, paid their money, sat in “their” section of the stadium and were as passionate as any Man United or Liverpool fan.

The Durban City era in fact was an anomaly and perhaps the most unparalleled situation in South African sporting history when white and Indians, literally divided with the latter forced to sit in the northern section of New Kingsmead (which later became King’s Park Soccer Stadium), had so much in common.

And that chord was soccer, the game that Elliott brought to Durban and the country with his unique marketing skills, larger than life statements in the press, his controversial and sometimes bully-like tactics, but most important of all ,his shrewd ability to attract the best players to his club.

To walk down West, Smith or Grey Streets in the 1970’s,when I was a long-haired naïve young soccer reporter, was an amazing experience with literally every second person-mainly Indian – clamouring to shake his hand, giving him instant advice on team selection and shouting out his name. He was a hero, a fact even the enemy, the hordes of Durban United supporters, had to admit.

One such fan was well known Durban sports lover Mohammed Padia, who was long the forefront of Durban soccer, cricket and hockey circles.

“Norman was like a father to me, he was the kind of man who you were drawn to. He grew up in the apartheid era but he could relate to everyone .That’s why he crossed racial lines and we Indians adored him and Durban City,” said Padia, who was one of the first to telephone me on Saturday when news of Elliott’s death came through.

So what was it about the Fox that made him so charismatic and so influential?

It was his self-deprecating humour, his biting tongue, his sarcasm, his ribald humour but most of all, his love for his fellow human beings.

The joke about Elliott ,and I heard it again this weekend when discussing his death with some soccer people, was that he owed many of his players money .Legend has it that some are still waiting to be paid.

This topic often came up when I was covering the soccer beat and I always recall a conversation with the legendary England international Johnny Haynes, who was brought out to Durban City by Elliott in the 1970’s

Over a beer one day Haynsie turned to me and said:”All these stories about Norman being tight with money are bullshit. I have been around for 30 years and Norman is one of the best chairmen I have ever had. I always got paid.

These sentiments were echoed by another famous English footballer, Budgie Byrne. Sure, he and Elliott had their run-ins because at the end of the day, soccer is a business and Elliott loved money- and the resulting fame, wine, woman and song that came with it.

I once asked him, “What was the largest sum he had in the bank account?”

“In the middle 1960’s I had R 50 000. That would equal quite a few million these days “said Elliott.

Elloitt, of course, was an enigma. Though he had this reputation for being tight and treating his players like slaves (His word, always with a straight face), he did so much behind the scenes to help sportsman who had fallen on bad times.

Elliott’s love for boxing has been well chronicled and he started the veteran boxer’s society which helped those who needed it most. At his former home in La Lucia, he also took on the role of helping a couple who were growing old and needed love and care.

Fanfare

All this was done without fanfare and publicity. He was a hard bastard when it came to soccer and money, but when he got home and put on his favourite Frank Sinatra LP and sank into his favourite beer or scotch, he was quick to pick up the phone and help others.

I remember once sitting in his lounge on a Saturday morning as Durban City was about to field the first black player in their ranks, even though it was against the law.

We debated for hours until Elliott eventually said “let’s do it. Stuff them. Let them arrest me. “

It was also about the time that to the delight of the thousands of Indian supporters, he introduced the competent midfielder Deena Naidoo, as the “first “. Moffatt Zuma, a black striker, also arrived and justified his place in the side.

Later on of course, after much success in the NFL, City played in the NPSL and Federation Leagues in the 1980s, also picking up trophies and slowly but surely multi-racial soccer started to take over from the segregated leagues.

Now the Elliott era is over and there’s certain sadness for all who grew in the City, United, and Highlands Park era. It seems like another world now. All I know is that had Elliott been at his peak as an administrator when we became a true democracy in 1994, I can bet my last rand that he would now be one of the top figures in the PSL or SAFA.

How they need his wisdom, skills, no-nonsense attitude and flair right now.

Published on the web by Daily News on February 5, 2007