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By Myean D Torgbean
In a historic moment for our city, Mayor Robert S. Bestman II has officially announced Paynesville Football Club as the โOfficial Football Team of the City of Paynesville” during a heartfelt meeting with Paynesville FC President Hilary Sackie.
During the meeting, Mayor Bestman expressed his full support for the club and emphasized the vital role sports play in fostering community spirit and pride.
โToday, we celebrate not just a football club, but a symbol of unity, hard work, and dedication that embodies the spirit of Paynesville,” said Mayor Bestman.
Mayor Bestman further encouraged residents to embrace and support their local team wholeheartedly, reminiscent of the passionate support seen in other great cities around the world.
President Hilary Sackie responded with gratitude, underscoring the commitment of Paynesville FC to serve as a source of inspiration and entertainment for all citizens.
“This recognition motivates us to strive harder, build stronger community ties, and bring pride to Paynesville through football,” Sackie stated.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bestman has urged all citizens to own and support their local club, fostering a culture of collective effort and enthusiasm that will elevate Paynesvilleโs status in regional and national sports arenas.
The declaration marks a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing dedication to nurturing local talent and promoting sportsmanship.
It is a call to action for every Paynesville resident to rally behind their team and celebrate the unifying power of football.
About Paynesville Football Club:
Formerly Reeves Football Club, the Club was established in 2008. After 5 years in the community league, the owners of Reeves engaged with and sought collaboration with a prominent citizen of Paynesville to take over the team and help propelled it to prominence in Liberian Football. Following a successful takeover, the new owners of the club decided to rebrand the club by principally renaming it in 2013 from Reeves Football Club to Paynesville Football Club.
In the wisdom of the club, the change of name would enable citizens of Paynesville to engage with and be a part of the club. The intent was and is now to make the Club a true representative of the city in our national Football League and to rally citizensโ support to and for the team.
In 2016, the club was promoted to the Liberian Football Association 3rd division league playing in the ELWA Sub Committee League. The Club negotiated with the Paynesville Community High School in Voker Mission for the use of the football pitch as its home ground, a place the team is proud to call its temporary.
On May 30, 2022, the Club was promoted to the Second Division League after emerging as the Champions from the LFA Third Division National Playoffs held in Buchanan Grand Bassa County. After one season in the Second Division League, the club was promoted to the First and premier league Division.
Paynesville Football Club is now a First Division Club and was crowned Liberia Football Associationโs 2023-2024 Orange Knock Out League Cup, a feat we achieved only in our maiden season in the top flight of Liberian Football. This championship propelled Paynesville Football Club to represent Liberia in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Inter Club League. The team had a great run in this tournament wining 3 games and losing one, failing to qualify for the group stage of the tournament.
Objectives
The key objectives of the team are as follow:
1. Become the Best Club team in the country
2. Provide opportunities for our young boys and girls to develop their potentials
3. Keep our young people engaged engaged and removing them from the temptations of vices
4. Making men and women who can contribute to the socioeconomic conditions of the country
Last season, the club finished at 8 place in the LFA league. The club participated in the maiden edition of the off season Bettomax tournament for the first 8 teams in the LFA league.
