The sense of urgency surrounding The Cooking Pot, as the Birds' cynical supporters prophesied another barren dynasty, was finally lifted after a string of unapologetically risky gambles came off in the Singapore Cup. This led to the Green once more capturing the historic trophy, after a twenty-six season wait.

It was not even the official target, as fans expected another fifth-or-sixth round exit, but hopefully a Division Two title. After two losses to -= Manchester United =- and Young Tigers, though, the club shifted its strategy after reaching the seventh round with a clear 5-0 win against Benfleet Branch, which would turn out to be one of the best decisions ever made.

Their league form suffered as they were kept to draws against the would-be-relegated Seals and SKANKS, but after a thrilling 4-3 away win against East Coast Warriors that would have been clear Match of the Season in about any other year, nobody quite cared.

About this time, defensive signing Gene Filippone emerged as an unexpectedly valuable source of goals, and the days went by in a blur. Kang Xi Lai Le were dismantled 7-2, and despite Ropelearner FC having taken down some of the biggest names in local football in their run to the semis, they too found no answer to Grilled's onslaught in the 5-1 that ensued.

Finals opponents Random Curiosity FC had gotten there fairly under the radar, but there was no question that they had what it took, rebounding thrice against the Birds; fortunately, Zhao Jing Wei and Ling Fuquan rose to the occasion, and Tian Yonghang received the trophy to much acclaim.

The process took a lot out of the players, however, and they would win just one league match in the second half of the season. Despite that, Grilled somehow limped to a third-place finish, even after the christening of the expanded stadium was marred by an atrocious 1-8 mauling by eventual league champions United.

Vindicated head coach Niculae Stanca stuck to his promise to depart, despite large sections of the support clamouring for him to stay on, and it will now be Djan Bacelar who will oversee what must be some the most intriguing seasons that the club has had in ages.