MARITZBURG UNITED OFFER CONDOLENCES ON IAN PALMER'S PASSING
23 July 2021
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of former Maritzburg United head coach Ian Palmer.
The former Orlando Pirates striker was only 55-years-old and his untimely demise sent shockwaves through the South African soccer fraternity on Thursday, 22 July.
Palmer last worked at KwaZulu-Natal side Richards Bay and before that he had made a positive impact on hundreds of players across the length and breadth of the country in his approximately 16-year coaching career in the top two divisions.
Coach Ian had two stints with the Team of Choice - in his first stay at the club, he helped United gain promotion from the Mvela Golden League to the top division, today known as the DStv Premiership.
He was a coach who will always be remembered fondly at the Pietermaritzburg club, says Team of Choice chairman Farook Kadodia.
"It's with great sadness that we heard of coach Ian Palmer's passing today. Our sincere condolences go out to Ian's wife, three children and his family, friends, colleagues and those players whose lives Ian touched," Kadodia stated.
"A gentleman of the game, he worked tirelessly to serve football in South Africa and will be sorely missed.
"Coach Ian Palmer was head coach when we won the Mvela League and beat FC AK in the play-offs. We will forever remember the crucial contribution which he made to our club and remain grateful for that," Kadodia concluded.
Palmer returned to Maritzburg for a second spell in 2011 and after that went on to coach at Black Leopards, Santos, Chippa United, Mthatha Bucks, Super Eagles and most recently, Richards Bay. Between his two Maritzburg stints, coach Ian was in charge at United FC, Blackburn Rovers and African Warriors, and also served as an assistant coach to Ruud Krol at Orlando Pirates.At the start of his career, he coached at Manning Rangers and FC AK.
As a player, he was widely respected for his goal-scoring prowess. Coach Ian passed away from Covid-Pneumonia, as confirmed by his agency, P Management Sports.
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