1962-63
Another controversial and memorable season this was. A confrontation between Sekondi Hasaacas and the soccer controlling body over the transfer of their star player, Liberian born, Ghanaian bred Modibo Toe, resulted in the dismissal of Hasaacas from the league.Modibo Toe was easily the most exciting player in the Western Region at the time and Sports Director Ohene Djan was extremely anxious to transfer him to his pet model club, Real Republikans.
Hasaacas were not amused at all. They protested vehemently and did publicly threaten to quit the league if they were deprived of the services of Modibo Toe. Indeed, to pre-empt the transfer, Hasaacas announced an indefinite suspension of Modibo Toe.
This action provoked the all-powerful Ohene Djan who, in a spectacular show of power, sacked Hasaacas from the league which was then in progress and then invited second division-Ghana Independence, also from Sekondi, to continue from where Hasaacas had left off. Ohene Djan annulled the suspension of Modibo Toe in the national interest and transferred him to Republikans. He played for two seasons before returning to his mother country, Liberia, where he reportedly died in a motor accident.
This was the season that ended the colourful career of Baba Yara, affectionately called the King of Wingers. The ace footballer was completely paralysed following injuries he sustained in a motor accident at Kpeve in the Volta Region on March 4, 1963. Yaras team, Republikans were returning to Accra after a league match against Volta Heroes at Kpandu when the accident happened. After a very quiet life in a wheel chair, Yara died on 5th May, 1969.
Republikans, this time competing on scoring basis, eventually won the league. Five new clubs, Eastern Rovers, Ahorsu United, Volta United, Brong Ahafo Stars and Harbour City made their debut in the league.
At the close of the season, the last four teams on the league table All Blacks, Ahorsu United, Standfast and Volta Heroes were relegated.(culled from Kotoko Express)
TEAMS P W D L F A PTS Reps 34 26 6 2 112 31 58 Kotoko 34 25 5 4 97 26 55 Hearts 34 21 5 8 83 49 47 Oly 34 16 9 9 73 44 41 Gt Ash 34 15 10 9 66 54 40 Corners 34 16 7 11 51 34 39 B.A. United 34 17 5 12 65 44 39 Vipers 34 15 4 15 55 59 34 H. City 34 13 8 13 43 63 34 Wise 34 12 7 15 46 53 31 Indece 34 10 9 15 60 63 29 Dwarfs 34 8 11 15 35 40 27 B.A. Stars 34 8 9 16 38 56 27 Rovers 34 11 5 18 48 77 27 Blacks 34 8 7 19 44 49 23 Akim 34 8 7 19 51 83 23 Stands 34 9 4 21 41 55 22 V. Heroes 34 7 4 23 34 79 18