Not many appear to be disturbed by its slide to the nadir. As far as football in the South West Province is concerned, Prisons Social Club of Buea had been an honour to the inhabitants of that part of the country. The last time Prisons appeared in the national scene was during the last Interpools competition.
This was the first time the team participated in the Interpools in 12 years. Even though they failed to qualify for the elite championship, the team still remains a source of hope for fans. The new season seems to be promising for the team with new players recruited to add some fresh blood. The ambition is to have the team into the first division after so many years in the second division. Prisons Social Club, fondly called « homeboys » is a legend belonging to the class of the rare surviving teams created just after independence.
Prisons Buea came to the limelight in 1967 following the dissolution on that same year of two former teams, CAMBANK and P&T club of Buea. The first President of the club Richard Titang, who was also the Director of Prisons at the time used his office to enable the team gain prominence shortly after its creation. Prisons have made a mark in the national scene. They entered into the first division just a season after creation and stayed in the elite championship for 15 years. The team played the 1966/67 Federal Championship. In 1968 Prisons, representing West Cameroon played the finals of the Cup of Cameroon agaisnt Oryx Douala from East Cameroon. But what was rated to be a beautiful match by many was almost marred by the referee who is said to have allowed an offside goal scored by Oryx. Team captain Ewunkem Joseph stopped the match and threatened to move towards late president Ahidjo. It took several minutes of negotiations and intervention by the then Minister of Youth and Sports for the match to continue. Prisons lost to Oryx 1-2 but the referee earned a life ban. Since then the homeboys have never played the final. Prisons started declining in the 70s when financial support from the prisons department dropped. Worst of all no special consideration was given to transfer players working in various departments including Prisons. The team dropped to division two in the 1976/77 season despite goodwill from some personalities in Buea and beyond. Various managements have attempted to bring the team back to the premiere league but to no avail. These include: the 1977/78 season under Chief SML Endeley as President; 80/81 with Richard Titang; and in 1982 under the leadership of Wonja Ngea as team manager. The team dropped to the third division in 1990 leaving their fans disappointed. However the team got some revival in 1999 with the assistance of some old hands like Kulu Ngembo, John Enie, Larry Lysinge, Efande Nwambo and so on. Fans in and around Buea are however full of optimism that the team which is the pride of the province will raise the flag of the province high this season.
Elizabeth MOSIMA
