Post by Caz on Sept 20, 2020 9:35:13 GMT 8
New club based in Manila
TV5.ESPN Story
After the controversy that surrounded the once successful Global FC, there was a vacuum left within Philippine football in the wake of the club's collapse. From the ashes rose Maharlika FC -- a new club built from what essentially is love of the game -- looking to fill in the void left behind.
Founded by former Philippine Azkals defender Anton del Rosario, Maharlika FC went almost completely in the opposite direction of the fallen Global FC. Instead of promising wages - that ultimately went unfulfilled - the newly minted club went radically in the other direction.
The compensation for a player in Maharlika FC? A grand total of one peso on paper.
"When it comes down to it, I think we are paying everybody one peso," del Rosario said.
Basically their players are playing for free and their current staff is also given similar compensation. According to del Rosario, the club is in it for the long run and paying players after being formed so quickly would have been unrealistic.
"We have to start this club properly, which is being sustainable," del Rosario said. "Had we come out and offered salaries to players from the get go, then our club would not have been sustainable."
Del Rosario clarified the policy of asking footballers to play for virtually nothing is only temporary. The former full-back said once the club has enough support from sponsors and investors, Maharlika will properly pay their players and staff.
"With us not paying players it's a temporary thing until we get to that point where we've created enough of a fan base, we've created enough support for the sponsors to find us attractive enough to support," del Rosario said.
So what type of players can you hire with a single peso? The answer may be surprising.
Here is a list of the players that have been revealed by the club so far: Anton Del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Cedric Martinez-Hodreal, Joaco Cañas, Enrique Ortiz, Julian Del Valle, Jerry Barbaso, Daniel Matsunaga, Manu Mariano, Misagh Bahadoran, Sam Taylor, Charlie Beaton, David Basa, and Serge Kaole.
The most noticeable names are the former national team players that have signed up. Del Rosario, Greatwich, Bahadoran, Barbaso, and Basa all add international experience into the squad, while veterans Serge Kaole and Joaco Cañas will occupy the foreign player spots on the team. The final foreign player spot goes to celebrity Daniel Matsunaga - who had experience playing Team Socceroo, Pachanga, and Kaya FC in the UFL.
Del Rosario also mentioned he is in the process of trying to lure former Azkals captain Aly Borromeo and national team midfielder Chris Greatwich out of retirement as well. The club founder also said three spots are alloted for youth players, who he feels are good enough to play at the senior level.
The coaching staff is headed by former Philippine international Roxy Dorlas - who previously handled national youth teams.
The realistic goal for the club in its first season is to simply survive and lay down the foundation for the future. Maharlika - the self-proclaimed 'koponan ng masa' - is also looking to make sure they fulfill all of the pro club license requirements.
"For the next six months - so in essence for this PFL season - the goal is to last the next six months," Maharlika GM Choy Calunsod said. "So we are looking for partners to help out the team. Us getting the license, there are compliances. We're working on the development programs, yung mga youth programs, all of those things we're working on those."
The club has already gone through the necessary health protocols to prepare for the yet-to-be-announced kick off of the PFL's 2020 season. They have had a couple of training sessions at the PFF National Football Center in Carmona and are raring to embark on their maiden campaign.
Is a championship or even a top two finish beyond reach for the club? Most likely. But it is a first step into building the foundations of a football club - that will hopefully eventually pay decent wages - that is fueled initially by love for football.
"I made it very clear and transparent that you guys, the players on the team and anybody a part of it, is here for the love and the passion of the sport," del Rosario said.
"That means a lot to me because it shows that they're here for more than just wanting to get paid."
TV5.ESPN Story
After the controversy that surrounded the once successful Global FC, there was a vacuum left within Philippine football in the wake of the club's collapse. From the ashes rose Maharlika FC -- a new club built from what essentially is love of the game -- looking to fill in the void left behind.
Founded by former Philippine Azkals defender Anton del Rosario, Maharlika FC went almost completely in the opposite direction of the fallen Global FC. Instead of promising wages - that ultimately went unfulfilled - the newly minted club went radically in the other direction.
The compensation for a player in Maharlika FC? A grand total of one peso on paper.
"When it comes down to it, I think we are paying everybody one peso," del Rosario said.
Basically their players are playing for free and their current staff is also given similar compensation. According to del Rosario, the club is in it for the long run and paying players after being formed so quickly would have been unrealistic.
"We have to start this club properly, which is being sustainable," del Rosario said. "Had we come out and offered salaries to players from the get go, then our club would not have been sustainable."
Del Rosario clarified the policy of asking footballers to play for virtually nothing is only temporary. The former full-back said once the club has enough support from sponsors and investors, Maharlika will properly pay their players and staff.
"With us not paying players it's a temporary thing until we get to that point where we've created enough of a fan base, we've created enough support for the sponsors to find us attractive enough to support," del Rosario said.
So what type of players can you hire with a single peso? The answer may be surprising.
Here is a list of the players that have been revealed by the club so far: Anton Del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Cedric Martinez-Hodreal, Joaco Cañas, Enrique Ortiz, Julian Del Valle, Jerry Barbaso, Daniel Matsunaga, Manu Mariano, Misagh Bahadoran, Sam Taylor, Charlie Beaton, David Basa, and Serge Kaole.
The most noticeable names are the former national team players that have signed up. Del Rosario, Greatwich, Bahadoran, Barbaso, and Basa all add international experience into the squad, while veterans Serge Kaole and Joaco Cañas will occupy the foreign player spots on the team. The final foreign player spot goes to celebrity Daniel Matsunaga - who had experience playing Team Socceroo, Pachanga, and Kaya FC in the UFL.
Del Rosario also mentioned he is in the process of trying to lure former Azkals captain Aly Borromeo and national team midfielder Chris Greatwich out of retirement as well. The club founder also said three spots are alloted for youth players, who he feels are good enough to play at the senior level.
The coaching staff is headed by former Philippine international Roxy Dorlas - who previously handled national youth teams.
The realistic goal for the club in its first season is to simply survive and lay down the foundation for the future. Maharlika - the self-proclaimed 'koponan ng masa' - is also looking to make sure they fulfill all of the pro club license requirements.
"For the next six months - so in essence for this PFL season - the goal is to last the next six months," Maharlika GM Choy Calunsod said. "So we are looking for partners to help out the team. Us getting the license, there are compliances. We're working on the development programs, yung mga youth programs, all of those things we're working on those."
The club has already gone through the necessary health protocols to prepare for the yet-to-be-announced kick off of the PFL's 2020 season. They have had a couple of training sessions at the PFF National Football Center in Carmona and are raring to embark on their maiden campaign.
Is a championship or even a top two finish beyond reach for the club? Most likely. But it is a first step into building the foundations of a football club - that will hopefully eventually pay decent wages - that is fueled initially by love for football.
"I made it very clear and transparent that you guys, the players on the team and anybody a part of it, is here for the love and the passion of the sport," del Rosario said.
"That means a lot to me because it shows that they're here for more than just wanting to get paid."