HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ACCRA HEARTS OF OAK SPORTING CLUB! ( 11-11-1911 => 103 YEARS TODAY! ) NO EASY WALK TO 103 YEARS!!! => HISTORY OF AHOOSC BELOW... “I have set my rainbow in the clouds and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13) 103 years ago on the 11-11-1911, a great foundation was laid for the formation of our noble club, Accra Hearts of Oak SC. The early seeds were sown by some noble men from the southern coast in Jamestown, Led by Christopher Brantford Nettey (later Asafoatse Nettey) a war leader of the Ga States in the colonial days with the able contribution of other foot soldiers like the Simon Okraku brothers, the Solomon duo, the Bruce Tagoe brothers, Akom Duncan etc were the pioneers of the club. In fact, the founders were the first players of the team. Though the third oldest club after Excelsior (1903) and Invincibles (1910), it is the only existing club among it contemporaries. Upon this strong foundation, the perennial oak tree has flourished over the years. The club over the years have withstood the test of time and generational challenges. It is therefore a surprise to many that after all the topsy- turvy journey, the club has existed and remain relevant to its supporters, Ghana football and the international soccer community. However, the club has gone through various threats to its existence. The club encountered it first managerial problems in the 1920s. It was a disagreement between the old guards and young Turks in management and structural issues. Post independence era also came along with its own issues; power struggle. In the 1970s however, the decision to elect instead of appointing a chairman polarized the club into the Lawyer Osekre and Doctor Konney factions. The following decade was the radical era among the period’s Hearts of Oak has gone through. Another division erupted over which of the two boards was in charge and that led to Hearts sending two sides to play Hasaacas in a league match in what came to be known as “the Gallant 14 Episode”. Further to the woes of the club came the blessing in disguise called the “1986 Revolution” headed by Captain (Rtd) Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe. Reasons for the mass transfer of players among other things include; player indiscipline, abysmal performance in that year’s league. The IMC rather rolled out a new policy called the “Musical Youth”. The policy produced legends like Shamo, Ablade Kumah etc. The club became a limited liability company in 1993. This was to allow a more professional running of the club. Nevertheless, successive club chairmen and chief executive officers have played immeasurable roles which have made Accra Hearts of Oak worth celebrating. Notable among them include; the late General Ankrah former head of state, Tommy Thompson, H.P Nyemetei, former president Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, Nana Wereko Ampem, Commodore Mensah, Ato Ahwoi, Harry Zakuor, Tommy Okine and other previous leaders who have played a role in one way or the other in making our darling club great, are worth recognizing on a memorable day like this. The fearsome Five(1970s), the Musical Youth(1980s), the 64 Battalions(2000), the Striking Forces(2004) and the making of the new Special Forces are some of the playing generations that have put endless memories, smiles and happiness into the Phobian Fraternity. Even though we have had our dark days, our glory days and achievements are unrivaled by any side in Ghana. Major achievements include; 20 times leagues champions,10 times FA cup champions, winners of the prestigious Champions League (2000), Super Cup(2001) and the coveted Confederation Cup beaten our perennial rivals(Kotoko) to it in 2005. There are other exceptional feats which are peculiar to hearts alone. Some exceptional achievements include: (i) Hearts of Oak Emmanuel Christ Brandt was the 1st ever Captain of the Black Stars (ii) When the Black stars (for the first time) won Africa Cup of Nations in 1963, skipper Edward Aggrey-Fynn was also the captain of Hearts. (iii) This was repeated in 1965 when Hearts skipper, Addo Odametey also captained the Black Stars to retain the Africa Cup of Nations. (iv) Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nation victories in 1963, 1965 and 1978 was masterminded by Coach C.K. Gyamfi (now Nana Kumi Gyamfi I), a FIFA /CAF Technical Instructor, who also played for Hearts. (v) The skipper of the Black Stars that qualified Ghana for its first ever FIFA World Cup Tournament in Germany 2006, and a repeat in south Africa 2010, Stephen Appiah, was nurtured and brought to stardom by Hearts. i. Goalkeeper – Sammy Adjei (voted Africa’s Best at U’ 21 in 1999), ii. Ablade Kumah - Captain of the Black Meteors that won Africa’s 1st ever Olympic soccer medal (Bronze) at the Barcelona Olympics (1992). iii. Ishmael Addo – Golden Boots Winner at the FIFA U’17 World Cup in New Zealand (1999) and three times goal king in Ghana. (iv) Have played against several top clubs across the globe including; Real Madrid, Syria Club, Flamingo (24th May 1964) and Santos (6th June 1969) all of Brazil. Drawing 2-2 draw with Santos, Edson A “Pele” do Nascimento scored an injury-time equalizer. Rated 8th Best Club in the world by CNN / World Soccer Magazine in 2001. Cecil Jones Attuguayefio- best coach in Africa (2000). That notwithstanding, the club’s inability to win the league and participate in the African competitions in the past five years seem a worry to the fans and the various stakeholders. The current directors are doing their best to restore the club to its glory days. This is evident in the new managerial approach of organization, the financial injection, the short and long terms goals of the Togbe Afede led board. As the tertiary wing of the club, we entreat the newly appointed managing director, Mr. Gerald Ankrah and the elected National Chapters Committee chairman, Barima Atuahene to work assiduously and restore hope into the club. As we celebrated our 103rd birthday, Tertiary Chapters Front (TCF) wish to remind the board, management, players and the supporters that in unity lies strength and together we can build a formidable Hearts of Oak. With our rainbow covenant with God, we shall never say die until.... The norms are fully rotten!!! Phooooooooobiaaaa.... Masters!!!!! < Ayekooo to the club & Happy Happy Birthday too!!! >
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 09:13:42 +0000
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