Farmer Bunnies Born
In a completely unexpected development, Grilled Birds board chairman Luke Teo today announced an unprecedented event in the club's history - the Birds would be setting up an affiliate club, the Farmer Bunnies, to be based in Clementi. Soaring property prices in recent years have made the move challenging, but buoyed by Grilled's currently rosier finances, the Birds secured an unused plot off West Coast Road, and quietly completed the construction of Carrot Field in six months.
To facilitate the entry of the Bunnies into the Hattrick league system, Grilled struck an agreement with longtime amateur club Sentosa FC, essentially creating the Bunnies by renaming them, thus inheriting their spot in IV.11.
Although Sentosa FC's existing part-timers will slowly be released as the Bunnies begin taking in new blood, they will be transferred to the amateur arm of the Bunnies - Sentosa Kits FC - and operate mostly as they have been doing. Additionally, the Kits will gain the use of Carrot Field, as well as any facilities developed by Farmer Bunnies in future.
Grilled Birds secretary Mohd Hamzah Minhat however cautioned that the Bunnies would be little different from any newly-formed club, despite the Birds' branding behind them. "Legally speaking, they're a completely distinct entity, and not a feeder club. In fact, due to anti-collusion rulings, we can't even ever transfer players between the sides. All funds they start with have been independently sourced."
Minhat then clarified the relationship between the clubs. "While the Birds and Bunnies are separate, the Birds will handle the Farmer Bunnies' media relations, and in general, any announcements will be made through our website and other existing channels."
"We may also integrate player information, but do not expect coverage of the Bunnies' games to be anywhere as comprehensive, given that their mission is wholly geared towards the development of local players, and particularly national-level ones, hopefully in the future."
Still, longtime Birds fans will recognize the symbolism of the Bunnies beginning in IV.11, which is where Grilled themselves kicked off, so many seasons ago. Even more fittingly, the Bunnies' first opponents will be perennial II.2 rivals CharlesCheesePie, whom the Birds recently met in the Cup in their successful run last term.
"Maybe I'll hop over and take a look." Grilled supporter club life member Suresh Mander, 52, said. "Hop over, get it?"
