Letter to the Editor: St Michel add another chapter in history of local football |29 December 2014

The year 2014 has been another impressive season for St Michel United (SMU) – the country’s most dominant force in football since the re-introduction of sports club. They did not only win the President’s Cup, Barclays league division one crown and the Intelvision Cup, but they have bettered the number of league titles won by the once fearsome St Louis FC during the regionalisation era.

Adding this year’s league crown, St Michel have this year won their 12th league success. It has got to be a special club to break that record achieved by a special team like St Louis during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Since 1996 to date, St Michel have won an incredible 60 titles in all competitions – what a fantastic feat – and I wonder if we will ever see such another great football team again in Seychelles. They have a long history and great tradition. They have really demonstrated their quality as “being a class above the rest”.

I believe the club’s motto ‘United We Win’ has been the inspiring vigour behind the club’s astounding success over the years and their aspiration is to win as many titles as possible every year.

With the affirmed departure of key defender Jimmy Radafison, who for me has been one of the most consistent foreign performers here, I am sure the club’s management is already on the look-out for a high-caliber replacement. In my opinion, Anse Reunion’s highly talented Jean Eddy Randriamihaja would certainly fit the bill. He is a top-drawer defender who deserves better reward in terms of his commitment.

I was not surprised to see St Michel’s young and talented defender Yannick Manoo – a very composed, stylish and modern-type defender – finish among the best players for this year. He has got great attributes. He has been brilliant this year. Keep it up!

Finally, I wish to extend to the players, management, fans and sponsors of St Michel a happy and successful New Year 2015.

Derek Pothin

Editor’s note:
St Louis were crowned champions in 1980/1981, 1981/1982, 1982/1983, 1984/1985, 1986/1987, 1987/1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994.

St Michel league championship wins came in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 (joint champions with La Passe), 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 20011, 2012 and 2014