Death has struck the football fraternity for the umpteenth time following the shock departure of one of the country’s most recognisable footies, David Fransman, famously known as “Dove” among his vast circle of friends and acquaintances. The versatile big frame defender-cum-goalie lost a long battle against illness, aged 66. He will be laid to rest in Windhoek tomorrow morning. May his soul rest in ancestral power.
Born in the coastal harbour town of Walvis-Bay in 1958, “Big Dove” found himself in the city of bright lights (Windhoek) where he started his elementary education.
The versatile athlete was a valuable member of the star-studded Ellah du Plessis High School team in Khomasdal. Some of his celebrated teammates were Julius Mane Hagedoorn, Daniel Capes Nel, Stanley Coetzee, Chris Claasen, Clemence Kloppers, and Boetie Samuels among a galaxy of stars.
He was among a group of enthusiastic emerging young players who decided to form their own team. This led to the unavoidable birth of Young Ones Football Club, affectionately going by the nickname “The Kings at Night” in reference to their beautiful style of play, notably during the mid-week evening games.
Back in the day, very few teams looked forward to coming face to face with the silky Khomasdalers at their fortress, the SKW stadium.
Big Dove was a vital cog in the team’s rapid progress and played an instrumental role in the Kings at Night promotion to the elite Central Football Association(CFA) league in 1983.
The league debutants immediately announced their arrival on the big stage with breathtaking performance week in and week out, leaving their more fancied opponents in absolute awe at their fancy footwork.
Truth be told, Young Ones were way ahead of their times, playing football the way the game should be played. Shepherded by former Thistles FC tough tackling fullback, Edward Nose Morgenroth, the no nonsense gaffer instilled a sense of football artistry in his charges never witnessed before in domestic football.
The youthful Khomasdal outfit played attractive one-touch football with lots of emphasis on ball possession, always building attacks from the back, leaving their opponents baffled. Young Ones’ gorgeous style of play caught the imagination of football followers at times, their clearly out-of-sorts opponents would request match officials to stop play and recount the number of players in the Young Ones team as they were made to look like headless chickens trying to retrieve the ball from the streetwise boys from the Dal.
Big Dove was such a big influence that he often shifted between the posts as an auxiliary short stopper, a task he completed with relative ease.
Having won almost every available silverware there was to be won, the versatile footie needed a change of scenery and left his beloved Kings at Night only to resurface at cross-town rivals Ramblers Football Club, to be reunited with former mentor Gary Sales in only his second season with the Tunschell Street Boys.
Big Dove won the coveted Namibia Premiership title, and went on to represent the country in the prestigious CAF Club Champions League Cup against Mozambican giants Costa do Sol.
Well, it was not long before the prodigal son retreated home to familiar territory. He assumed the role of player/coach for the Kings at Night, steering the team to several victories in high-profile knockout cup tournaments.
Big Dove boasts a filthy-rich resume, having mentored the combined University of Namibia footbal teams on international assignments at the CUCSA Multi-Sport Games. He also coached Ramblers, winning the coveted NFA Cup in 2005. Ramblers defeated Black Africa in the final 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate. His football genes trickled down to his elder son Diego Fransman, a formidable shot-stopper who has represented his motherland internationally. A jolly good fellow, “Big Dove” was well-loved and very popular among his peers.
A very kind-hearted gentleman, Big Dove was not only confined to football, but he was also a God-fearing person, who dedicated much of his time serving the Almighty at the slightest provocation.
Yours Truly had the distinct honour of sharing many great moments with the departed big- frame brother. Our amazing trip to Mozambique with Ramblers springs to mind, as we had a whale of a time at Ma Chic Chic Night Club in Maputo, and enjoyed dozens of memorable moments together.
As fate would dictate, we recently converged at his spacious Pozie in Vaalhoek on the outskirts of Khomasdal for a social come-together, and little did we know this would be our last encounter with each other.
The boys were all in high spirits cracking jokes as usual and playing dominoes. Bro D, you came, saw and conquered the soil. You were one hell of a real “Outie”, a great man of substance. Go well bra, until our paths cross again in Heaven. May your gentle soul rest in ancestral power. You will be solely missed by those who have come to know you closely.