Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 7 appearances in 41 say he has earned the hearing.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 41 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 7 appearances in 37 say he has earned the hearing.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Suva can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 37 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Panapasa Tawakece plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 7 appearances in 33 say he has earned the hearing.
Suva spent the window trying to move Keni Cagi on and nobody came. He trains with a squad that has already told him he is not part of it, and both sides now wait for the next one.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Suva can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 33 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Market6 Sep 2027
The window shut and James Pillay is still in the building
Suva spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Suva have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Suva have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 7 appearances in 29 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 29 say he has earned the hearing.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Suva they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Suva have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 7 appearances in 25 say he has earned the hearing.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 25 say he has earned the hearing.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Suva has been clear about where Keni Cagi stands, which is more than many ever get.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I will know when it is time. I am not there yet.” Mahamat Ngaradoumbe is 34, with 9 appearances behind him, and Suva will have to plan for whichever answer comes.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Rewa defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 5 appearances in 21 say he has earned the hearing.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Tailevu Naitasiri defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Every debut is a small story about the future: Amir Khamatdinov, 21 years old, off the academy pitches and into the first team. The parents in the stand will keep the programme.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Mahamat Ngaradoumbe arrives at 34 with nothing left to prove and plenty left to pass on. Legs are a young man's currency; knowing where to stand never ages.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Suva have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Position 9, 11 points, and a fixture list with fewer games left in it than excuses. The arithmetic is not cruel yet, but it has stopped being kind.
The terraces31 May 2027
The boos come down from three sides
“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 8 of the 22 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Suva have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Nadroga defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
8 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Bruce Hughes has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Suva know, and have known for weeks.
In brief
SquadJames Pillay asks for a word with the manager
Wages have outrun income and the accountants have started attending meetings they used to send apologies to. Ambition comes second in a season like this.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 2 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
A new face in his position, and Ramzan Khan suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Suva have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 6 of the 22 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Suva have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 2 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
Every debut is a small story about the future: Meli Talevakarua, 19 years old, off the academy pitches and into the first team. The parents in the stand will keep the programme.
Anare Kumar is 16, and Suva have signed him for the player he will be rather than the one he is. The first team can wait; the point of a deal like this is the years it buys.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Suva, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kavaia Rawaqa has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
11 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.
A new face in his position, and Ravinesh Karan Singh suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Suva have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Ravinesh Karan Singh suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Suva have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Watisoni Bainimoli arrives at Suva with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kavaia Rawaqa has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The minutes were not coming at Suva, so he will look for them at Tailevu Naitasiri. Everybody involved calls it development; for the player it is simply a chance to play.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Suva know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Ravinesh Karan Singh suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Suva have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Waisake Soga arrives at Suva with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Keni Cagi arrives at Suva with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Remueru Tekiate plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kavaia Rawaqa has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Amitesh Krishna has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kavaia Rawaqa has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Remueru Tekiate plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Kavaia Rawaqa has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Suva, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The fee is $4.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Rewa drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Suva that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
A new face in his position, and Akuila Mateisuva suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Suva have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Ba go through and Suva go home, 0-2 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Suva can pretend not to have heard.