Bernard Hartze was born March 3rd, 1950 in Cape Town, South Africa. He was amongst a group of youngsters who in the 1960's formed the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, among them were Frank Motsepe, Roy Fischer, Ingle Singh and Bernard Hartze, to mention but a few, and it became an official football club in 1970. A superb dribbler, in 1970, "Dancing Shoes" scored 54 goals in 30 games and was named South Africa's "Sportsman of the Year" - he led the South African league in scoring three years in a row - 1970, 1971 and 1972.
In 1975, he joined the Rowdies in the NASL Indoor Tournament, where he played in 3 games, and scored 4 goals with 3 assisits. Big things were expected of him for the 1975 outdoor season, but he was injured in only his second game against the New York Cosmos, he struggled to regain his fitness, and only made 4 more appearances as a substitute. This was to be his only season with the Rowdies.
In 1976, on loan from the Rowdies, Bernard played for the Tacoma Tides, their only year of existence, the Tides finished 2nd in the ASL Western Division.
I cannot find much about Bernard after the 1976 season, but Bernard finally returned home to Cape Town at some point.
In 2007, Bernard was amongst a group of past and present players honoured at a glittering function held at the Cape Town International Convention Center, as part of the CAF 50th Anniversary celebrations. 
Today, Bernard is now playing his part within the development structures of the South African Football Association.If anyone can help me with more info for Bernard's bio, please email me.
4 comments:
My father was crazy about Bernard, he once told me that it is sad to see that so little people of colour made it into the big leagues because of apartheid. Bernard should be used as a coach or commentator for soccer.
AJ Smith
Great player
I totally agree with you both, thanks for your comments!!
No doubt one of the best SA has ever seen
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