By Rex Mphisa
SUPPORTERS in the Central Region Soccer League Division One (CSRL) have torn apart incumbent chairperson Patrick Hill campaign manifesto for re-election alleging it should show achievements instead of goals.
Hill has been at the helm of the region where several clubs have questioned his administration for over a decade when football standards plummeted.
He has presided over a region fraught with scandals ranging from allegations of match-fixing, poor officiating and brazen misrule and breach of football laws.
Their height was criminal when they dismissed a case of fraudulent registration of a player and let go a team which fielded an illegally registered player.
Going against the laws of the country, the player in question changed names without following the provisions of the laws of Zimbabwe.
Yet a disciplinary committee that sat in Gweru, found the player not guilty despite glaring evidence.
And the team, Hardrock of Kwekwe, were awarded the game.
FIFA regulations are clear on what happens when a team fields an illicitly registered player.
And Hill knows it.
“He should bury his head in shame. He should stay far from football. He kills development of the sport. He must simply walk away,” said a Central Region CRSL follower on social platforms.
“Hill has nothing to tell us for the years he has been at the helm. This just ended season one team withdrew and only came back at the intervention of the mother body ZIFA, he should leave us alone,” said the supporter.
When the team withdrew, CRSL announced but when it cameback there was dead silence.
In his campaign manifesto, Hill promised wonders.
He said he is led by passion for unity, progress and purpose in the region whose just ended 2025 season was horrific with one team needing 13 goals to cover a goal difference scored the same.
Without saying his achievements in the last 12 years, Hill pledged to better the game.
“My vision is to foster a brighter future for football at every level, ensuring it remains accessible, progressive, and inclusive for all,” he said.
“I believe in a football community that thrives on inclusivity, where every individual regardless of age, gender, back-ground, or ability has the opportunity to participate, enjoy, and excel in the sport. My goal is to lead a Central Region Soccer League that reflects these values and promotes the beautiful game as a vehicle for positive change.”
He pledged to use several pillars to move forward the sport.
“I will establish programs that encourage participation from marginalised groups, including women, youth, and underrepresented communities.
“Create safe and welcoming environments for all players, coaches, and fans,” said Hill whose league has failed to attract sponsors.
A sponsor some two years ago, never paid what he pledged and talk is the sponsor may have lined some people’s pockets.
Hill pledged to invest in football, something he has not done in his more than a decade long time at the helm.
In poorly phrased paragraphs showing signs of artificial intelligence generation than personal resolve, Hill pledged developing training programmes for coaches and upliftment of local talent.
He unashamedly pledged to superintendent over integrity and Fair Play. His region’s ruling of the Tanyaradzwa Tsiga, aka Ephanny Gwavava case remains an undoing.
Despite failing to have a cup for the region in 12 years, Hill pledged organising “community events to celebrate football and its positive impact on society.”
Hill’s manifesto lacks any explanations of numerous complaints of poor officiating and his league’s reaction to the same.
“We need new ideas, the entire executive is dead wood. You should see how they are afraid to hold open general meetings opting for selected leaderships they commandeer to decisions favourable only to themselves and not footbal,” said a South African based follower of the league.