In a shock announcement to the press, Sdlonner Kram has today announced his resignation from his role as 1st team coach of Huddersfield Town FC after three highly successful seasons at the club in which he guided the club to 3 Premier League titles, 1 UEFA Champions League, 3 FA Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 1 Carabao Cup and 2 Community Shields.

Even more surprising is that Kram has decided to undertake a new role in South Africa with Ajax Cape Town F.C.

This is undoubtedly a major coup for his new club, but has thrown up the question of what has caused him to leave his role in some would argue the worlds best league for the second highest league in South Africa. One can only think that the parent company of AFC Ajax have had some influence on the negotiations and his decision.

We hope to get a formal comment from Kram in the near future, but for now all we can report is that both he & the Director of Football – Guido Merry have left the club with immediate effect.

Here’s what we know about the South African Club so far:

History

Ajax Cape Town was formed in October 1998 through the merger of two well established Cape Town clubs namely; Seven Stars Football Club and Cape Town Spurs Football Club.

Ajax Amsterdam wanted to establish a Football Development Academy in South Africa where they could source and develop players with the possibility of finding another “Benni McCarthy”. A blue print was developed for the Football Development Academy as discussed with the Ajax Amsterdam board. The blue print was accepted by the Amsterdam board and Rob Moore returned to Cape Town charged with initiating the establishment of the Academy.

After careful consideration Rob Moore invited Cape Town Spurs FC to join this exciting venture.

The establishment of Ajax Cape Town and proposed formation of the new club faced opposition from the National Soccer League but despite this opposition Ajax Cape Town played their first official game against Kaizer Chiefs in the Iwisa Charity Spectacular on the 17 July 1999. Ajax caused the upset of the year when they beat Chiefs 1-0 with Sam Pam, the Ajax Cape Town captain scoring the winning goal. Following this match the nickname of Ajax Cape Town was born as the Urban Warriors.

Current Standings

Ajax CT suffered relegation from the ABSA Premiership last season and will need to adjust to life in the First Division. They have finished runners up in the top division in 2004, 2008 and 2011, won the Nedbank cup in 2007 and 3 other cups over their short history.

We have no doubt that Kram and Merry’s experience of winning trophies and developing a sustainable business model is the key driver behind their appointments.

Facilities

With an impressive capacity of 64,100 this stadium was constructed in 2009 for the FIFA World Cup and has been the home of the club since the 2010-11 season. With average home attendances of only 5000 this will be a shock to Kram & something both he and Merry will be hoping to address I’m sure.

We can only assume from the impressive training and youth facilities plus the extensive youth recruitment and coaching that this is a long term project that has attracted the team of Kram & Merry to South Africa. I’m sure all will come to light once we manage to catch up with them for formal comment.

That’s all we have for now. Night folks.