Phurba Tenzin: The Engine Behind Transport United FC’s Resurgence
Our boys have been on fire this season, and a lot of the credit goes to Phurba Tenzin, who has bagged a stunning 3 world-class goals in just 3 games! But how did Phurba end up gracing the pitch for Transport United? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
A Dreaded Time for Transport United
Early 2021 was a dark period for our club. The Executive team disbanded due to internal conflicts and a string of unsuccessful seasons. Many players, including more than half our squad, opted to join a newly formed club built by the executive members that left us then.
Ugyen Academy FC Steps In
Just when things seemed bleak, Ugyen Academy FC, whose 2020 squad had graduated, offered a ray of hope. Recognizing their potential, we immediately initiated talks to sign these players and revive Transport United FC. The management at Ugyen Academy, with whom we shared a long-standing relationship, warmly welcomed our proposal.
The Signing Spree and the Rise of a Star
Thanks to the Principal of Ugyen Academy, Dasho Norbu Gyeltshen, we successfully signed a total of 9 players. Among them were some notable names: Thinley Dorji (Ex TUFC Captain & currently with Samtse), Dilip Mongar and Kinley Gyeltshen (currently playing for RTC), Kinga Wangchuk (Currently Paro FC), and of course, Phurba Tenzin.
Phurba, affectionately called “Baby” by his teammates, seamlessly fit into the No. 10 jersey. He impressed everyone with his skills in training and quickly became a fan favorite. His debut goal came against his former club, Ugyen Academy FC, on the opening day of the 2021 BoB Bhutan Premier League. He made an immediate impact, scoring 5 goals and providing around 12 assists in his first season.
Baby: A Key Player in Transport United’s Success
Baby played a pivotal role in securing our first major trophy in 3 years – the First Edition of the BFF President’s Cup held in Mongar in early 2022. He scored against Sherubtse College to get us into the semifinals and converted the winning penalty kick in the finals against Thimphu City, clinching the championship for us.
The Loan Spell at RTCFC
Due to the uncertainties surrounding the BoB Bhutan Premier League 2022 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Baby requested a loan move to RTCFC. The location and their closed-door training sessions during the pandemic made RTCFC an ideal choice for him to continue studying and training. Transport United FC graciously agreed to the loan for the 2022 season.
While playing for RTCFC, Phurba had a fantastic season, helping them achieve a commendable 4th place finish, just one spot above us.
Back Home and Shining Brighter Than Ever
The 2023 season saw Baby return to Transport United FC. Our first match of the season, once again, was against UAFC. And guess what? Baby scored a brilliant double in his comeback game! Despite battling knee issues throughout the season, his dedication and love for the club remained unwavering. He went on to score an impressive 15 goals, including a remarkable hat-trick. We finished a strong third that year.
The Magic Continues in 2024
The 2024 BoB Bhutan Premier League is just underway, and Baby has already established himself as the magic element in our squad. His 3 spectacular goals in the first 3 games speak volumes about his talent. The most recent one against RTCFC was a last-minute wonder strike that salvaged a crucial point for the team when we were trailing 4-3.
With 15 more matches to go, we can’t wait to witness more magic from our dependable “Baby”!
BABY- the Goal Machine. Total Goals for TUFC: 25
| Against | Goals Scored |
|---|---|
|
Ugyen Academy FC |
3 |
|
High Quality United FC |
1 |
|
Gomo FC |
2 |
|
Sherubtse College FC |
1 |
|
Thimphu City FC |
2 |
|
Druk Lhayul FC |
1 |
|
Namlha FC |
3 |
|
Thimphu Raven FC |
4 |
|
Paro FC |
2 |
|
Tsirang FC |
1 |
|
RTC FC |
1 |
|
Paro Rinpung FC |
1 |
|
Tensung FC |
1 |
|
BFF Academy |
2 |
The Loan Spell at RTCFC
Due to the uncertainties surrounding the BoB Bhutan Premier League 2022 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Baby requested a loan move to RTCFC. The location and their closed-door training sessions during the pandemic made RTCFC an ideal choice for him to continue studying and training. Transport United FC graciously agreed to the loan for the 2022 season.
While playing for RTCFC, Phurba had a fantastic season, helping them achieve a commendable 4th place finish, just one spot above us.
Back Home and Shining Brighter Than Ever
The 2023 season saw Baby return to Transport United FC. Our first match of the season, once again, was against UAFC. And guess what? Baby scored a brilliant double in his comeback game! Despite battling knee issues throughout the season, his dedication and love for the club remained unwavering. He went on to score an impressive 15 goals, including a remarkable hat-trick. We finished a strong third that year.
The Magic Continues in 2024
The 2024 BoB Bhutan Premier League is just underway, and Baby has already established himself as the magic element in our squad. His 3 spectacular goals in the first 3 games speak volumes about his talent. The most recent one against RTCFC was a last-minute wonder strike that salvaged a crucial point for the team when we were trailing 4-3.
With 15 more matches to go, we can’t wait to witness more magic from our dependable “Baby”!
