Noel Cousins: Swallows’ history makes them a PSL club

Former Maroka Swallows striker Noel Cousins says the club’s deep history and place in South African football mean they belong in the PSL, but warned that their revival must be supported by sound administration and long-term planning.

Cousins, who played for Swallows between 1989 and 1991, has largely moved away from the public spotlight. He now works at Spirit International Football Academy, a youth development project backed by English Premier League club Everton.

Despite focusing on developing young players, the 54-year-old remains closely interested in South African football and has been saddened by the decline of one of the country’s most recognisable clubs.

He was encouraged by the news that Swallows are returning to the big leagues after Walter Mokoena began efforts to revive the “sleeping giant”.

Cousins, a former Arcadia striker, said he was proud to have represented the club and believes its heritage should be preserved.

“I’m very proud to say I was part of that Swallows heritage,” Cousins told KickOff.

“Swallows belongs in the PSL because it’s a massive brand with almost 75 years of history, if not longer. There’s too much heritage, legacy and history attached to that club to simply allow it to disappear.”

However, Cousins said the club’s name alone would not guarantee a successful return to prominence. He believes its revival must be managed carefully and built on a stable organisational structure.

“We also need to understand that you have to do the job properly. You can’t just say it’s the Swallows brand and expect success to happen automatically. You need to treat the club with respect. The administrative side needs to be solid, the club must be run like a proper business and you need people in place who can rebuild the brand for the long term.”

He also expressed concern about the increasing practice of clubs buying the status of other teams and moving them to different regions.

Cousins said commercial decisions were a club’s right, but argued that historic teams should remain connected to the communities where they were established.

“If somebody wants to buy a club, that’s their choice. But in my opinion, the club should remain where it is. The sale of clubs like Swallows and Bloemfontein Celtic was sad to see because these are institutions that helped build South African football. They are part of the fabric of the PSL,” he added.

Although he remains passionate about the wider issues affecting the game, Cousins said he has no interest in becoming involved in professional football’s politics or administration.

“I prefer working with young players. I find it far more rewarding. To be honest, I don’t think the environment above that is particularly healthy. My focus is on youth development and helping young people build a future.”