The management of the federation cup champions for the second season running, Heartland football club of Owerri, has placed 14 of their players whose services are o longer required on the transfer market.
Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, the General Manager of the back – to – back Fed. Cup champions who disclosed this to the press on Friday during the team’s seasons score card presentation /Interactive meeting with the media how-ever did not disclose the names of the affected players.
The one time National SWAN President and Imo FA chairman took time to digest with the press the ups and downs his team encountered during the just concluded season pointing out that the nomadic nature of the teams first 5 home games adversely affected the performance of the team in the 2011/12 Nigeria Premier league season. He went further to state that his management at that point decided to focus their attention on the federation cup even with the turbulent periods they experienced as the rest of the story is now history. He also pointed out that his administration has won 5 trophies in two years, 2 state FA cup (2011 and 12), 2 Federation cup (2011 and 12) and the 2012 Charity cup.
In his preview of what to expect next season, Fan explained that his management has looked at various factors affecting the team and decided that they will be using only 25 players to prosecute all its matches in next season’s NPL, CAF cup and the federation cup games.
He continued that in view of the government’s decision to take care of some part of the teams funding next season, the management will have to source for funds elsewhere to ensure that some next season, things go fine.
The back – to – back GM as he is fondly called reiterated that his management are still considering dropping the payment of sign – on – fees to players and replace it with a regular payment of enhanced salaries as a way of avoiding the ugly incident of constant strike actions by players for delayed payment of sign – on – fees as experienced last season.
He also disclosed that as a measure of reducing cost next season that it would no longer be business as usual as the management staff will also be affected in the lay – off exercise.
The team according to the GM has began a special program designed to discover more of the teams sensation of the season. Emeka Ogbugh who helped them to win the Fed. Cup the second time.
