Bos Gaurus supporters clubs hope for glory days again following takeover of team

By Mohd Faizal Hassan

IPOH, Nov 24 -- The problem of salary arrears, players leaving and internal turmoil that plagued Perak FC need to come to an end following the acquisition of the entire shareholding of the team by advertising company Impact Media & Communication (IMC) Sdn Bhd.

These are among the wishes of supporters clubs of The Boss Gaurus who are thirsty for reform to push the team back to their glory days.

Perak football supporters club The Boss Gaurus-More Organised Brotherhood Soul (TBG MOBS) secretary Mohd Shirin Adenan said in the current uncertain economic situation (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the acquisition would at least be able to solve the problem of salary arrears that often plagued the team causing migration of key players to other teams.

"Thankfully, there are those who are willing to take over, it is hoped that at least the salary and administration problems will no longer be heard. We have to give this company a chance to restore the glory of the team.

"We as the 12th player of the team believe this (acquisition) is also one of the factors in attracting renewed interest and support for Perak FC, There is also a need to look for players of high calibre to bring the team to a glorious era," he told Bernama.

Yesterday, Perak Football Association (PAFA) acting president Datuk Muhammad Yadzan Mohammad said the decision to sell the team was made as a result of discussions and seriousness shown by the company.

According to him, PAFA took over all Perak FC affairs effective yesterday so that all transactions related to the takeover can be expedited and all team affairs handed over to IMC.

Meanwhile, Die Hard Fanz (DHF) chairman Roslan Mat Baharom said the new acquisition and sponsorship would be able to boost the morale of the players and also lead to a more organized management without being squeezed by financial burdens that often disrupted the smooth operation of the team.

"The sponsorship is very positive, it is not easy to get at the moment. The management also does not have to rely too much on the state government alone because the involvement of private and corporate companies is also important.

"The acquisition is also expected to resolve problems between PAFA and Perak FC so as not to disrupt the administration and management of the team," he said.

Echoing the same, TBG MOBS president Syamsul Baharin Putra Ahmad Shib believed that the takeover is a new starting point for Perak FC but internal administrative problems also need to be resolved.

“Yesterday’s announcement was something of a surprise because suddenly 100 per cent of the shareholding was sold to the company and only a few affiliates of Pafa were informed.

"Although there is light at the end of the tunnel, we want this issue to be resolved and other affiliates are not sidelined. Of course, this new sponsorship can bring the team to be more competitive in the future," he said.

In April, Perak FC offered to sell the football club to any interested party as a step to resolve its financial crisis, including the issue of player salary arrears.

It immediately attracted the attention of several parties including cosmetics millionaire, Datuk Seri Hasmiza Othman and Kopa Arena, a company which is well known in the management of football, including training and field aspects, to buy Perak FC.

After the acquisition by IMC yesterday, Perak FC became the fifth club to sell 100 per cent of the company's stake in one go, after Sri Pahang FC, PJ City FC, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and Kelantan FC.

The Boss Gaurus were relegated to the 2022 Premier League after finishing second from bottom out of 12 teams in the Super League this season.

-- BERNAMA