MTNFootball

Platinum Stars have had a turbulent few seasons that have seen them finish outside the top eight and flirt with relegation.

The 2011/12 campaign was a disaster, until caretaker coaches Cavin Johnson and Allan Freese managed to turn things around in the latter part of the season, leading the side to a club record five away wins in a row.

Johnson has now been instilled as the permanent head coach after the departure of Owen da Gama, who stood accused of soliciting bribes from players in order to be selected.

He was acquitted of this charge in May, but his position at the club was untenable after that.

The side have made 13 new signings for the 2012/13 season and have been one of the busiest teams in the transfer market.

Headlining those signings is the arrival of former Bafana Bafana international Benson Mhlongo from Orlando Pirates, as he seeks to get his career on tract after little game-time in the past three years through injury.

Otherwise, they have brought in promising youngsters from the lower leagues who Johnson says will allow the team not just to play winning football, but attractive soccer as well.

That, the club believes, is crucial in attracting more fans to the stadium on match day as they seek to grow their brand in the North West province.