I am going nowhere - Gavin Hunt

There is a big difference between investing and saving.

That much is crystal clear when one looks at the rise of Bidvest Wits to become league champions for the first time in their 96-year history.

With Bidvest chief Brian Joffe at the forefront, the club was plucked from the brink of bankruptcy five years ago and built into the force they are today.

The management and owners of the Braamfontein-based club  saw an investment opportunity and it is paying rich dividends.

The gold bar in the Wits safety deposit box has undoubtedly proven to be renowned coach Gavin Hunt.

The multiple title-winning coach, together with the club management team, embarked on an ambitious project to rebuild an ailing club.

 But what makes the Wits journey even more remarkable is the fact that it didn't cost millions to build the once floundering club.

"Any club without a financial backer has no chance," notes Hunt.

Unlike Super Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United, the team known as 'The Clever Boys' has bought just three players in the past four years.

Hunt has an acute eye for talent and with a still-limited budget, sourced the market for good bargains.

He made some very shrewd purchases of free agents and developed from within to create a championship-winning squad.

The former SuperSport United mentor created the right chemistry with a balanced cocktail of youth and experience and got the players to buy into a common vision --  the rest is history.

"When you see talented young players, you have to be bold enough to play them. You cannot be frightened to show confidence in your youth," says Hunt.

 "We believe in it as a club and will always look at our youth."

 The burning question now is how to take the club to new heights and sustain the momentum after winning their maiden title.

Speculation is bound to again start mounting that other top clubs are waving their larger cheque books at Hunt in view of his success at Wits but one thing is very clear right now - Gavin Hunt is going nowhere.

Hunt has a simple plan and won't deviate from what he calls the 'free market' approach and the investment in their youth.

 "You don't want to reinvent the game, but you certainly have to try strengthen the squad within the constraints of a limited budget."

While he concedes that football in this country is a 'devious' world he has a very simple philosophy: "Be true to what you believe in and don't complicate the game."

 "You owe the game, the game owes you nothing. If you cheat this game and take shortcuts, you will get hurt," Hunt concludes. 

Contrary to the rumour mill and speculation, the outspoken, affable coach denies ever having been approached as a potential candidate for the Bafana Bafana job, a vacancy since filled by SuperSport United boss Stuart Baxter.