Paphos Cheetahs FC International Soccer Academy (Private) Cyprus.
In a Joint Venture with Mainplay Premier Soccer / Football Skills Centre. Incorporating St George FC (Private School)
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Tel: (00357) 99 064861 / info@gfcyprus.com. FA (English) Qualified and UEFA Qualified Coaching. Incorporating St George FC (Private School)
Tel: (00357) 99064861 info@gfcyprus.com
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CHEETAHS MAKE THEIR LAST RUN
After six years Founder of the Paphos Cheetahs, Rick Howlett has decided to leave Cyprus and
bring one of the most successful clubs in Paphos to a close.
Rick and his family moved to Cyprus in April 2005. It soon become clear there was no Grass Roots football in Paphos. After failed attempts to contact the Cypriot FA and with local football clubs showing no interest in supporting his idea to promote Youth Development Soccer Rick decided to form his own independent club. That was in October 2005.
“Cyprus was an exciting place when we arrived, Paphos was a vibrant town full of expectation” Rick remembers. “We placed an advert in the local press, commenced our first training session and the Cheetahs was born.” Rick is often asked why the Cheetahs ? “Simple really, a cheeky name everyone will remember and talk about, it worked.”
The club soon grew and found fame with teams visiting the UK, charity football
matches, guest appearances from Premier league footballers and two former
Cheetahs have even gone on the play professional football. Rick continues “There
have been many highs and occasional lows along the way, I have made many
good friends, they know who they are.” The club’s success is due to the backroom
staff, namely Rick’s wife Dina and his daughters Grace and Olivia and the coaching
staff who have given many hours of thier free time.
In an early interview with the Press Rick was credited with the foresight and
determination to break the mould. Other clubs have since formed which is thanks
to the Cheetahs leading the way. “It has been a great adventure, I am extremely proud of my family, when occasional troubles have tested the club my family has always been supportive. I would also like to thank Ray, a long serving (suffering !) coach and good friend.”
2008 brought sad news, Rick’s Mum lost her fight against Cancer, she was a keen supporter of the club. Dina’s Mum also passed away and Rick lost one of his closest friends, also to Cancer at the age of 47. This period severely tested his devotion to the club, others rightly would of given up.
So what next for the Cheetahs? Rick has decided to bring to a close the Cheetahs name, he
is taking his family on a long promised holiday to Florida. In addition to being a qualified FA
coach Rick is also a qualified pilot and is keen to resume his favourite pastime of flying with
friends and scaring them while aloft.
What will you miss? "The friends I have made, the weather and the occasional glass of beer. I will not miss our clubs main sponsor - me ! I wince when I think about the amount I have invested over the years, I could of been a rich man ! "
“I have no regrets moving to Cyprus though sadly Paphos is not the place I first enjoyed, with the recession and high cost of living in Cyprus many of our friends have moved away, the time is right to begin a new adventure. I also feel I am ready to take on a more changeling coaching post.” Perhaps the Cheetahs FC will emerge again in some far distance land!.
The Paphos Cheetahs October 2005 - September 2011