Kerala United FC

Last updated

Kerala United
Official logo of Kerala United FC.svg
Full nameKerala United Football Club [1]
Nickname(s) The Hornbills
Short nameKUFC
Founded
  • 1976;48 years ago (1976)
    (as Quartz FC)
  • 2020;4 years ago (2020)
    (rebranded as Kerala United FC)
Ground Payyanad Stadium
Capacity30,000
Owner Abdullah Bin Mosaad Al Saud
Head coachSena Fanai
League I-League 3 (mens - tier 4)
Kerala Women's League (womens - tier 3)
Active departments of Kerala United FC
Football pictogram.svg Football pictogram.svg
Football (Men's)Football (Women's)

Kerala United Football Club (formerly Quartz Football Club) is an Indian professional football club based in Malappuram, Kerala, that competes in I-League 3, fourth tier of the Indian football league system. [2] [3]

Contents

Founded in 1976 as Calicut Quartz, the club was an amateur and academy side during its early years. [4] In December 2011, they announced intention to turn professional and participated in 2012 I-League 2nd Division, which was then the second tier of Indian club football. [5] The club spent a season in the second division during 2011–12 and later played in the Kerala Premier League. In 2017–18 Kerala Premier League season, they finished as runners-up. [6] [7]

In 2020, the club underwent a substantial change in ownership as the "United World Group" assumed control. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the club, accompanied by a rebranding of the club as Kerala United FC. [8] [9] The club initially began their training at Seethi Haji Stadium at Edavanna. Later moved to Malappuram District Sports Complex, which is widely known as Payyanad Stadium. [2]

History

Founded in 1976 as Quartz Football Club [10] in Kozhikode, Kerala and since has been growing up step by step from district to state to national level. [11] [12] The Quartz Academy was incorporated in 2009. In December 2011, they were officially certified by the All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division. For the first time in 2012 I-League 2nd Division, Quartz FC participated but failed to make an impression. They only got one point in the group stage thereby failing to get promotion.

In 2012–13 season, Quartz FC signed I-League players like Rino Anto, Sabas Saleel, K. Noushad, Manoj Manoharan, Sherin Sam, Kamardeep Singh, Suji Kumar, J. Prasad, P.M. Britto, Salil Usman and Ajmaluddin. Club also signed the top-scorer and player of the tournament at the 2012 Santosh Trophy V.V. Farhad. They appointed Assistant coach Bino George of Chirag United Club Kerala. [13] Later withdrew from the 2013 I-League 2nd Division due to financial instability.

Club managed to win Kozhikode District League back to back in 2011 and 2012. Later in 2013–14, Quartz played with their academy side in the very first edition of Kerala Premier League. After making a late entry in 2017–18 Kerala Premier League season, [14] [15] the club finished as runners-up after losing to Gokulam Kerala in final. [16] They had withdrawn from two editions of Kerala Premier League (2016–17, 2018–19) due to financial issues. [17]

"Kerala is known to be the heart of Indian football and when it comes to passion and support, no fan base in India comes close to their love for the beautiful game. Our focus will be on cementing and strengthening the foundations of the club, building an academy and developing homegrown players."

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, CEO of United World Group, after the takeover and rebranding of Kerala United FC. [18]

In November 2020, English Premier League Club Sheffield United have taken over Calicut Quartz and rebranded it as Kerala United FC. United World Group, the umbrella firm holding Sheffield, said in a statement that it envisages to make Kerala United a competitive, community-focused football club playing at the highest level possible in Indian football. [19]

P. Haridas, who owned Calicut Quartz FC, is also the president of the Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA), said a Premier League club coming to the state will bring major changes to Kerala football. Company director Akshay Das said: "We're looking for an overall development in the state, especially in Malabar."

As Kerala United, they participated in the 2020–21 Kerala Premier League and qualified for the knockout stages after finishing second in the Group-B with 12 points. In the semi-finals, regular time couldn't separate Gokulam Kerala and Kerala United, match ending goalless. They lost 4–2 on penalties at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium. [20] [21] In that season, they participated in Independence Day Cup in Assam and finished as runners-up, losing to Assam State Electricity Board SC by 4–3 in penalties. [22] In October 2022, Nigerian-born naturalized Indian manager Saheed Ramon was appointed head coach. [23] In 2023, they participated in Stafford Challenge Cup in Bangalore. [24] [25] Kerala United won their first ever Kerala Premier League title in 2022–23, defeating Gokulam Kerala B in final. [26] In August 2023, Kerala United gained I-League 3 spot, ahead of the beginning of its inaugural season. [27] [28] [29] In that tournament, the club finished in fourth place in final round play-off, missed the opportunity of qualifying to I-League 2. [30] [31] [32] [33] They were reinstated to the 2024–25 I-League 3.

Club crest and kits

Great hornbill, the official state bird of Kerala, from which the crest of Kerala United has derived. Great Hornbill Goa.jpg
Great hornbill, the official state bird of Kerala, from which the crest of Kerala United has derived.

The United World Group had unveiled the crest after rebranding the club which features the Great Hornbill, the official state bird of Kerala. The club is also nicknamed after the bird as "The Hornbills". [34]

The primary colour of team is purple which dominates their home kit, with the hornbill crest in the right side, white shorts and white socks.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKit ManufacturerShirt Sponsor
2011–2013Star Impact
2013–2014Ramco
2017–2018 Nivia ICL Fincorp
2018–2020Ramco [35]
2020–2021KESPO [36] Micro Health Laboratories
2021–2022SEGA
2022–present Erreà

Kit evolution

Kit left arm.svg
Kit body vneck.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
2020–21
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body vneck.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
2021–22

Stadium

Former venues

Since 1977, Kerala United FC played its home matches at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode. [37]

EMS Stadium on a matchday Kozhikode EMS Stadium.jpg
EMS Stadium on a matchday
A view of Seethi Haji Football Ground Seethi Haji Stadium.jpg
A view of Seethi Haji Football Ground

In 2021, Kerala United FC shifted their base from Kozhikode to Malappuram district Seethi Haji Stadium, located in Edavanna, as their training ground. [38] [39]

Current venue

A view of Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium, Manjeri Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium.jpg
A view of Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium, Manjeri

The club plays its home games at the Payyanad Stadium in nearby town called Manjeri. [2]

Support and rivalry

Rivalries

During their time at Kozhikode as Calicut Quartz FC, they had a rivalry with former National Football League side FC Kochin. [40] [41] They also enjoyed an on field rivalry with another Kozhikode based side Gokulam Kerala FC. [42] The first Kozhikode Derby match between the two teams took place in the final of 2017–18 Kerala Premier League, where Calicut Quartz FC beat Gokulam Kerala FC beat 3–2. [43] Upon change of ownership, team shifted its base from Kozhikode to Malappuram District which introduced a new Malabar Derby in Kerala Premier League. First match after acquisition was in 2020–21 Kerala Premier League semifinals, where two teams locked horns. The match ended as a goalless draw even after full time. Gokulam won 4–2 on penalties. [44]

Statistics

CompetitionPlayedKerala United winsDrawsGokulam winsKerala United goalsGokulam goals
Kerala Premier League 411236
Total411236

Results

NoDateCompetitionVenueScoreKerala United FC scorers/red cards Gokulam Kerala scorers/red cardsAttendance
419 April 2021 2020–21 Kerala Premier League Maharaja's College Stadium, Ernakulam 0–0Closed Doors
33 June 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League Municipal Corporation Stadium, Thrissur 0–2Soccerball shade.svg Brian Umony, Soccerball shade.svg Arjun Jayaraj
210 May 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode 0–2Soccerball shade.svg Mohamed Salah, Soccerball shade.svg Usman Ashik
125 April 2018 2017–18 Kerala Premier League EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode 3–2Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg Emmanuel AidooSoccerball shade.svg Sushanth Mathew, Soccerball shade.svg Mama

Honours

CompetitionKerala UnitedGokulam
Kerala Premier League 12 [45] [46]
I-League 2nd Division 00
I-League 02 [47]
Super Cup (India) 00
Total14

Players

First-team squad

As of 03 August 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
2 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Lalsawmpuia
3 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Rishik Shetty
4 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Lalmuanawma
5 MF Flag of India.svg  IND Craig Mangkhanlian
6 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Rudrarajsinh Jadeja
7 FW Flag of India.svg  IND Vanlalmalsawma
8 FW Flag of India.svg  IND Muhammed Adhilshan
10 MF Flag of India.svg  IND Thufail K
11 FW Flag of India.svg  IND Chabungbam Linky Meitei
13 GK Flag of India.svg  IND Thameem KT
14 MF Flag of India.svg  IND Varun Prasad
16 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Alphin Assis
17 MF Flag of India.svg  IND KC Larchhuakmawia
No.Pos.NationPlayer
20 FW Flag of India.svg  IND Febin Gibbs
24 DF Flag of India.svg  IND C Ramdinmawia
25 GK Flag of India.svg  IND Pratheesh Vadakkeveettil
26 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Shrigin David
30 MF Flag of India.svg  IND Sreejith Kallingal
31 GK Flag of India.svg  IND Sparsh Choudhary
49 DF Flag of India.svg  IND Joseph Labrinawma Sailo
49 FW Flag of India.svg  IND William Lalnunfela

Notable players

Had international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Kerala United FC:

Personnel

Youth academy

PositionName
Head of grassroots development Flag of India.svg Shajirudheen Koppilan
Head of youth development Flag of India.svg Suneer VP
Team manager Flag of India.svg Alfin K Joseph

Corporate hierarchy

PositionName
Chief executive officer Flag of India.svg Shabeer Mannaril [51]
Managing director Flag of India.svg Zakariya Koduvery [51]

Statistics and records

Season statistics

As of 21 March 2023
Season KPL I-League 3 I-League 2nd Division
2011–12 Group stage
2012—13DNQ
2013—14Group stageDNQ
2014—15DNPDNQ
2015—16DNPDNQ
2016—17Pulled Out from the LeagueDNQ
2017—18Runner-UpDNP
2018–19DNPDNQ
2019–20DNPDNP
2020–21 Semi-final DNQ
2021–22 Group stage Group stage
2022–23 Champions DNQ
2023–24 Champions Play Offs DNQ

Head coaching record

As of 11 August 2024
NameNationalityFromToPWDLGFGAWin%Ref.
Frank BranerFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 1 January 201228 May 20127016429000.00 [52]
Bino George Flag of India.svg  India 29 May 201229 December 2012000000!
Carlton Chapman Flag of India.svg  India 28 May 201712 October 2020106132120060.00 [53]
Shajirudheen KoppilanFlag of India.svg  India 15 January 20214 July 20216411165066.67 [54]
Bino George Flag of India.svg  India 16 August 20211 July 2022139223111069.23 [55]
Saheed RamonFlag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 3 November 202228 May 20243521777837060.00 [56]
Sena Fanai Flag of India.svg  India 21 July 2024412153025.00

Affiliated clubs

The following clubs are currently affiliated with KUFC:

Other department

Kerala United Women's

Kerala United (Women's) player in action during a state league match in 2022 20220801154030 IMG 0322.jpg
Kerala United (Women's) player in action during a state league match in 2022
Kerala United (Women's) players in 2022 Badushafahadphotography.jpg
Kerala United (Women's) players in 2022

The women's football section of Kerala United is currently competing in Kerala Women's League. [59] [60] [61] They also took part in preliminary round of the Indian Women's League in 2016. [62] [63]

Honours

Domestic tournaments

League

Cup

See also

Related Research Articles

The EMS Stadium, located in Kozhikode, Kerala, India, is a multi-purpose stadium primarily used for football matches. The stadium most recently was home to the I-League team Gokulam Kerala FC, as well as their IWL women's team. Built in 1977, the stadium hosts 50,000 spectators. It is named after the first Chief Minister of Kerala E. M. S. Namboodiripad. The stadium has played host to several important football tournaments, such as Super Cup, Santhosh Trophy, and Sait Nagjee Football tournament. Gokulam Kerala has been playing their home matches at the EMS Stadium since 2017 and has had a successful run at the stadium winning their first I-League home match against East Bengal FC with a score of 2–1. The stadium is considered a historic and important venue for football in the region.

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Bibliography

Further reading