“The crowd really helped us to win this game. It was a tough season and very frustrating waiting to play in the finals. And winning 2-0 at home was so good.
Striker Fadlu Davids, who scored six goals in United’s last four pressure games said: “It’s fantastic [being promoted for the Absa Premiership]. When we were relegated at the end of the 2006/07 season, it was the darkest period of my career, but I told myself that I am going to help this team come back and I thank God I could do that.”
On United’s crowd support, Davids said: “If we can take this crowd into the PSL I am sure we will surprise a lot of people.
“If we can keep the continuity of the coach and the players and build on that, sign three or four experienced players, we have the foundation now and I am sure we will do well in the PSL.”
Striker Collen Zimba said: “It’s great for all of us, especially those who were here when the team got relegated, because now we have been able to get the team back.”
Financially the victory has also been lucrative for United, who receive R350 000 for winning the NFD title.
United will receive a monthly grant of R1 million in the PSL, compared to R150 000 in the NFD, and a PSL franchise these days is worth more than R40 million.
United chairman Farouk Kadodia also heaped praise on coach Ian Palmer and his players.
“Life in the first division is tough but at the end of the day I am happy that we have achieved our objective of returning back to the PSL next season. We are meeting as management together with the technical staff to map our way forward for next season.”
Kadodia has promised that Palmer will retain his position as head coach with United next season.
“Palmer has done a great job and deserves to lead the team into the PSL next season. He and the technical team are making recommendations about reinforcing the team in preparation for next season and have already hinted that they will need a very good playmaker for the team next season.”
Kadodia was elusive when asked what bonuses his players will receive, saying only: “It will be in the bank accounts tomorrow. Every employee from the office receptionist to the bus driver, the players and coaches will benefit from this.”
Kadodia said the professional attitude shown by United in winning the NFD shows the club has learnt from its past mistakes.
Making United’s first season back in the PSL more difficult is that the team has a limited time to buy new players and give their current players a rest, because of the bribery case against FC AK that delayed the NFD final.
“I would say we are already about a month behind the other PSL teams in our preparations for next season. We will work overnight to make sure our planning is on track,” said Kadodia.