1898;127years ago(1898) as Fathul Karib 1975;50years ago(1975) as Balestier United Recreation Club 1996;29years ago(1996) as Balestier Central 2002;23years ago(2002) as Balestier Khalsa
Balestier Khalsa is the fourth oldest club in the Asia continent and is the oldest club in the Southeast Asia region.
History
Founding and early years (1898–1997)
Tracing their origins all the way back to 1898, the club was formed as Fathul Karib on 10 October 1898 and based in Farrer Park. One of the highlights over the following half century, before the side was renamed Balestier United Recreation Club in the 1975 as it was the outcome of re-organising the local football clubs structure by the Football Association of Singapore. During the time, Balestier United Recreation Club was providing nine players to the Singapore national team which competed in the 1958 Asian Games in Japan, losing 2–1 to both continental heavyweights South Korea and Israel.[1]
When Balestier United Recreation Club first joined the inaugural National Football League, the team captured the Singapore Cup in 1958 and 1992. The club played in the Singapore Premier League (the forerunner to the S.League) from 1988 to 1995. The club became the first club in Singapore to bring in foreign players when they signed two Yugoslavian players, Joško Španjić and Boris Lucic, for the 1989 season. Balestier United are currently still active in local football, competing in the National Football League Division 1. Former Balestier Khalsa players such, Ruhaizad Ismail, Daniel Ong and Syafiq Zainal all played for the team as well.
S.League era as Balestier Central (1996–2002)
With the introduction of the S.League in 1996 and entities reintroduced as a professional football teams, Balestier United Recreational Club became a founder member of the S.League and competed under a new flagship name to Balestier Central.
Creating the foundation (2003–2012)
Merger with Clementi Khalsa and renamed as Balestier Khalsa
In 2002, Balestier Central took another turn as they merged with Clementi Khalsa at the end of the 2002 S.League season. Clementi Khalsa was formed as a club to represent Singapore's Sikh community and joined the S.League in 1999. Prior to the merger with Balestier Central, the club was based in the Clementi area of Singapore and played its home games at the Clementi Stadium.
Marko Kraljević guided the club to their first ever AFC Cup debut in 2015 and is the club longest serving manager from 2014 until 2021.
Balestier Khalsa signed former U-21 Croatian international Goran Ljubojević on 11 February 2014 as their first ever marquee signing.[2] As well as Emir Lotinac of Serbia from Novi Pazar. The Tigers won their first ever Singapore Cup on 7 November 2014, beating Home United 3–1 with Goran, Kim and Park scoring the goals.[3] Thus, qualifying for the 2015 AFC Cup in the following year.
AFC Cup debut
The Tigers make their 2015 AFC Cup group stage debut on 24 February 2015, losing 0–3 to Hong Kong Premier League champions, Kitchee at the Mong Kok Stadium. On 10 March 2015, they almost held eventual Malaysia Super League champions, Johor Darul Ta'zim to goalless draw but the visitor scored in the 90+3 stoppage time. Balestier Khalsa finally got their historical first win in the following week, Jonathan Xu scoring his and Tiger's maiden AFC Cup goal and Miroslav Krištić's goal beating East Bengal from India 2–1. Balestier Khalsa went on to finished at the bottom of the table with 3 points.
For the 2016 season, Balestier Khalsa qualified for 2016 AFC Cup as Singapore's 2nd best local team and got their first away goals/points in the AFC Cup, as they held Maldives Dhivehi Premier League champions, New Radiant 2–2 at Malé. They continue to improved their run in the competition winning against Kitchee & New Radiant 1–0 and 3–0 at home however that wasn't enough for them to secured to the knockout stage as they finished in 3rd place with 7 points, 3 points away from 2nd place, Kaya FC. Balestier Khalsa finished 4th in the Singapore Cup after losing to Ceres-La Salle in the third place playoff.
On 22 October 2021, Akbar Nawas was announced as the head coach of Balestier Khalsa, succeeding Marko Kraljevic, who left a week prior. Before this, Akbar leads the 2nd division I-League club, Chennai City to become champions of the league in the 2018–19 I-League with current player, Iqbal Hussain. According to a club statement, Akbar has penned a two-year contract “worth more than S$170,000”. However, less than 1 year into the contract, Akbar would tender his resignation to join Thai League 2 side, Udon Thani, less than a week after a record 6–1 win against Hougang United.
On 27 August 2022, The Tigers recruit former Football Association of Malaysia Technical Director, Peter de Roo as an interim coach till the end of the 2022 season but on 30 November 2022, he was appointed to permanent role as head coach of Balestier Khalsa.
In the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season, The Tigers sign an additional new signing of both Japanese player Kodai Tanaka and Riku Fukashiro, while Tunisian Ismaïl Sassi joined the club from AS Marsa. The club than participated in the 2024 Selangor Asia Challenge pre-season tournament on 26 and 28 April 2024 respectively.
Sponsors
For much of Balestier Khalsa's history, their kit provider has been with Umbro since their formation with Clementi Khalsa and Balestier Central up until 2017 whereby their main sponsor has been with Civic as well. In 2018, Balestier Khalsa signed a deal with Thailand sportswear, Mawin and then followed up with Italian sportswear brand, Lotto the following year in 2019. In 2020, Balestier Khalsa signed a deal with German sportswear Adidas to manufacture their kits alongside Weston Corp as their kit sponsors up till date.
On 29 March 2018, Balestier Khalsa launched their inaugural 2018 Singapore Premier League football campaign with the signing of a landmark sponsorship deal with sport utility vehicle brand, Jeep. The one-year deal that is worth $100,000 is the clubs biggest sponsorship contract in its history. On 28 February 2019, Balestier Khalsa extends their contract with Jeep for another year. Italian giants, Juventus who were also sponsored by Jeep, make a collaboration during their pre-season visit to Singapore.[4]
Balestier Khalsa played their home games at the Toa Payoh Stadium. The stadium can hold up to 3,800 spectators.
For the 2023 Singapore Premier League season, Balestier Khalsa will once again share Bishan Stadium with Lion City Sailors, as Toa Payoh Stadium is undergoing upgrading works. Balestier Khalsa will return to Toa Payoh Stadium upon the completion of the upgrading works.
On 8 October 2023, Toa Payoh Stadium, including will be demolished on 31 October 2023 in order to make way for a new Regional Sport Centre which will likely be opened in 2030.[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The 1996 season of the S.League was split into two series.
2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one.
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