“Brother, Never Give Up”
In the golden age of South African township football, few teams captured the spirit of community resilience and sheer football artistry like Pimville United Brothers, affectionately known as PUBS or the Skom Boys. Based in Pimville, Soweto, PUBS carved out a legacy as one of the most talented and admired football clubs in the country. While definitive records of the club’s exact founding date remain elusive, historical accounts and player testimonies suggest the club rose to prominence in the late 1960s, becoming a household name throughout the early 1970s. They played in the NPSL.
🏟 The Heartbeat of Pimville: Jabavu Stadium
PUBS played their home matches at the Jabavu Stadium, which was often packed with passionate local fans. The club’s electrifying style of play, combined with an iron-willed determination, earned them respect across South Africa’s football landscape. They had a simple but powerful motto: “Brother, Never Give Up”.
🏆 The Playing Style and Legacy
PUBS were known for their flair, skill, and relentless fighting spirit. They were the masters of never-say-die football. Opposition teams dreaded playing PUBS because no lead was ever safe. Two legendary comebacks are still spoken about in hushed tones:
- 1970 Life Cup Final: PUBS trailed Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 at halftime, only to stage an unbelievable comeback and win 6-5.
- Against African Wanderers, PUBS came back from 4-0 down with less than 30 minutes left, storming to an astonishing 6-4 victory.
When beautiful football could not win them games, PUBS switched to what they humorously called “The British Way” – a direct, hard-running style that wore opponents down.
🌟 Legends of the Skom Boys
The team was a constellation of future legends and fan favourites. Some of South Africa’s best players passed through PUBS before moving to bigger professional sides.
Notable players included:
- James “Mebra” Gqosha – Left back and bicycle-kick specialist, father of Lefa Gqosha.
- Johannes “Yster” Khomane – Father of Orlando Pirates star Papi Khomane.
- Hamilton “Shakes” Mbuyane – Later team manager.
- Oscar “Jazzman” Dlamini, George “Brains” Mchunu, Chris “Rollaway” Ndlovu (later of Kaizer Chiefs), Jerry “Jair” Sadike, Phil “Shakes” Ntsoseng, Chilli Boy Koloba, Elias “Trinity Makhanda” Banda, George “Best” More (who later joined Pretoria Callies), Jacob “Tiger” Motaung, Benjamin “Staff Rider” Kwape, Ben “Walk Tall” Khule, Elias “Shuffle the Pack” Mokopane, Clinton Molefe.
The team was completed by fearless coach Ben Segale, who inspired his players with tactical acumen and belief.
🚨 The Tragic Breakup: End of an Era
At the end of 1974, PUBS heartbreakingly disbanded due to a toxic mixture of financial difficulties, administrative squabbles, and community interference. Some legends recall bitterly how outsiders forced the departure of players not born in Pimville, fracturing the team’s unity.
After PUBS folded, many players found homes with top professional clubs, most notably Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Pretoria Callies.
Players who joined Pirates:
- James “Mebra” Gqosha
- Johannes “Yster” Khomane
- Herman “Man Oh Man” Leroke
- Phil “Shakes” Ntsoseng
- Chilli Boy Koloba
- Elias “Trinity Makhanda” Banda
- Oscar “Jazzman” Dlamini
- George “Brains” Mchunu
- Jerry “Jair” Sadike
- Chris “Rollaway” Ndlovu
Other moves:
- George “Best” More → Pretoria Callies
- Chris “Rollaway” Ndlovu → Kaizer Chiefs
🤝 Brotherhood Beyond the Pitch
The bond forged at PUBS endured long after the club’s demise. Former players remained a tightly-knit community and even created a burial society to support one another and their families.
💎 Legacy
PUBS remains one of the most fondly remembered amateur teams in South African football history. They proved that a township club could challenge and defeat giants, while also developing players who would become legends of the professional game.
Their story embodies the ultimate underdog narrative – resilient, daring, and united to the very end.
