Regent Futsal Club officially folds; replacement confirmed from round 4 onwards.
By Kosta Diamantopoulos
After exploding onto the elite futsal scene in 2019 as the most exciting narrative in Series Futsal Victoria, Regent Futsal Club has officially folded.
The decision comes after internal discussions within the club allowed for the conclusion that the players and staff simply would prefer to withdraw from the division.
It is confirmed that a mounting debt was a key component towards the final decision, but the recent string of poor performances will surely be another factor.
Regent may have begun the season with two losses in two games, but it was only last season when the underdogs were being tipped for big things after defeating the champions, Moreland in the opening round.
Now, only hours before Regent were scheduled to meet with the Blues at Futsal Oz Brunswick once again, Osman Ahmed’s side will no longer be competing in the league. The timeslot tonight will be vacant, and Moreland will meet with Regent’s replacements at a later date.
It may have been a fall from grace for the Panthers but although the club may not have reached much domestic success, it still has boasted some of the league’s top players within its ranks.
Michael Nguyen, Abdirizak Ahmed, Mazen Abdallah, Abdirahman Ahmed, Shifa Ahmed, Joaquin Jimenez and many more have all donned the Regent jersey in its short history.
As for Regent’s replacements, it is confirmed that Ashburton FC of the State League Championship will be taking over the vacant position in Series Futsal Victoria.
Ashburton are given the right to the spot as they were the only relegated side from the 2020/21 season. The last time a situation relative to this occurred was in 2015/16, when Vic Vipers forfeited its spot, allowing for the previously relegated Metropolitan to regain a position in Series Futsal Victoria.
CEO Peter Parthimos had some words to say on the promotion after its confirmation; “Ashburton, who is under new administration, is a silky futsal team that will impress and surprise anyone who dares to underestimate them.”
Ashburton are currently undefeated after three rounds in the State League Championship.