Full name | Kerala United Football Club [1] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Hornbills | |||
Short name | KUFC | |||
Founded |
| |||
Ground | Payyanad Stadium | |||
Capacity | 30,000 | |||
Owner | Abdullah Bin Mosaad Al Saud | |||
Head coach | Sena Fanai | |||
League | I-League 3 (mens - tier 4) Kerala Women's League (womens - tier 3) | |||
Active departments of Kerala United FC | ||
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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]
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]
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.
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.
Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
---|---|---|
2011–2013 | Star Impact | – |
2013–2014 | – | Ramco |
2017–2018 | Nivia | ICL Fincorp |
2018–2020 | Ramco [35] | |
2020–2021 | KESPO [36] | Micro Health Laboratories |
2021–2022 | SEGA | |
2022–present | Erreà |
Since 1977, Kerala United FC played its home matches at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode. [37]
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]
The club plays its home games at the Payyanad Stadium in nearby town called Manjeri. [2]
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]
Competition | Played | Kerala United wins | Draws | Gokulam wins | Kerala United goals | Gokulam goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kerala Premier League | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
No | Date | Competition | Venue | Score | Kerala United FC scorers/red cards | Gokulam Kerala scorers/red cards | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 19 April 2021 | 2020–21 Kerala Premier League | Maharaja's College Stadium, Ernakulam | 0–0 | Closed Doors | ||
3 | 3 June 2018 | 2017–18 Kerala Premier League | Municipal Corporation Stadium, Thrissur | 0–2 | Brian Umony, Arjun Jayaraj | ||
2 | 10 May 2018 | 2017–18 Kerala Premier League | EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode | 0–2 | Mohamed Salah, Usman Ashik | ||
1 | 25 April 2018 | 2017–18 Kerala Premier League | EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode | 3–2 | Emmanuel Aidoo | Sushanth Mathew, Mama |
Competition | Kerala United | Gokulam |
---|---|---|
Kerala Premier League | 1 | 2 [45] [46] |
I-League 2nd Division | 0 | 0 |
I-League | 0 | 2 [47] |
Super Cup (India) | 0 | 0 |
Total | 1 | 4 |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Had international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Kerala United FC:
Bhutan
|
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head of grassroots development | Shajirudheen Koppilan |
Head of youth development | Suneer VP |
Team manager | Alfin K Joseph |
Position | Name |
---|---|
Chief executive officer | Shabeer Mannaril [51] |
Managing director | Zakariya Koduvery [51] |
Season | KPL | I-League 3 | I-League 2nd Division |
---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | – | – | Group stage |
2012—13 | – | – | DNQ |
2013—14 | Group stage | – | DNQ |
2014—15 | DNP | – | DNQ |
2015—16 | DNP | – | DNQ |
2016—17 | Pulled Out from the League | – | DNQ |
2017—18 | Runner-Up | – | DNP |
2018–19 | DNP | – | DNQ |
2019–20 | DNP | – | DNP |
2020–21 | Semi-final | – | DNQ |
2021–22 | Group stage | – | Group stage |
2022–23 | Champions | – | DNQ |
2023–24 | Champions | Play Offs | DNQ |
Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Braner | Germany | 1 January 2012 | 28 May 2012 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 0.00 | [52] |
Bino George | India | 29 May 2012 | 29 December 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | |
Carlton Chapman | India | 28 May 2017 | 12 October 2020 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 60.00 | [53] |
Shajirudheen Koppilan | India | 15 January 2021 | 4 July 2021 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 66.67 | [54] |
Bino George | India | 16 August 2021 | 1 July 2022 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 11 | 69.23 | [55] |
Saheed Ramon | Nigeria | 3 November 2022 | 28 May 2024 | 35 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 78 | 37 | 60.00 | [56] |
Sena Fanai | India | 21 July 2024 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 25.00 | ||
The following clubs are currently affiliated with KUFC:
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]
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.
Many sports are played by the people in Kerala including both traditional sports and sports from other countries. Association football is the most popular sport in Kerala, followed by cricket. Kerala Blasters are the most supported football club in the whole state and participates in the Indian super league the top tier of Indian football. Whereas Gokulam Kerala FC a club which plays in the I-league derives most of its support from the Malabar region. However, larger numbers of Keralites also follow sports such as volleyball, hockey, badminton, and kabaddi. There are many large stadiums in Kerala across different cities. Trivandrum city has various sports venues such as Trivandrum International Stadium, Jimmy George Indoor Stadium, University Stadium (Thiruvananthapuram), Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium and Central Stadium whereas Kochi city has stadiums such as Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium (Kochi) and Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. An international astro turf hockey stadium is located at Kollam city. Other major stadiums are EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium in Manjeri, Kannur Indoor Stadium in Kannur, Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Kollam and many more. All these stadiums attest to the mass appeal of such sports among Keralites.
Golden Threads Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, that plays in Kerala Premier League, the top division football league in the state of Kerala. They have also played in the I-League Second Division.
Malappuram District Sports Complex Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kerala, India, located about 7 km from Manjeri and 12 km from Malappuram. The stadium has a capacity of 30,000 spectators. Opened in 2013, it is part of the Malappuram District Sports Complex & Football Academy, under the management of Malappuram District Sports Council.
The Kerala Premier League is a state-level football league organized by the Kerala Football Association and played in the state of Kerala, India. For sponsorship reasons it is officially known as the Scoreline Kerala Premier League. Founded in 1998, the Kerala Football League was the first football league in Kerala, and was rebranded in 2013 as the KPL. Kerala United is the current champion.
Abdul Hakku Nediyodath, also known as Hakku, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Super League Kerala club Calicut FC.
The 2016–17 Kerala Premier League Season was the fourth season of the Kerala Premier League. Unlike last 3 seasons, the season featured 11 teams which were divided into 2 groups with Group A having 5 and Group B having 6 teams and wes played on a home-and-away format with half of the teams being private clubs. Later Quartz SC announced its withdrawal from the league making the number of teams 10. The season kicked off on 8 April 2017. KSEB beat FC Thrissur in the finals to clinch their maiden Kerala Premier League title.
Gokulam Kerala Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Kozhikode, Kerala. Founded in 2017, the club competes in the I-League, the second tier of Indian football league system. They won the 2020–21 I-League title to become the first club from Kerala to do so, and became the first team to defend the league title in 2021–22. Gokulam is also the first and so far the only club from the state to qualify for a continental competition, AFC Cup, in 2022.
Kerala Blasters Football Club Reserves and Academy, also known as Kerala Blasters B, are the reserve team and academy of the Kochi based Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters. The reserve team of the Blasters most recently competed in the Kerala Premier League, the top division of Kerala football and the RF Development League. The club's youth system consists of three teams, Under-17, Under-15 and Under-13 age groups that competes in their respective age divisions of the Ernakulam District Youth League. The youth teams of the Blasters has previously played in the Elite League, the top tier of the youth football system in India.
The 2017–18 Kerala Premier League Season was the fifth season of the Kerala Premier League. The season featured 10 teams which was divided into 2 groups with each having 5 and is played on a home-and-away format. The season kicked off on 7 April 2018.
Jestin George is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bengaluru United.
The 2018–19 Kerala Premier League Season was the sixth season of the Kerala Premier League. The season featured 11 teams which was divided into 2 groups and is played on a home-and-away format. The season kicked off on 16 December 2018. Kozhikode Quartz, SBI Kerala and Trikaripur withdrawn from the league due to financial problems.
Saliou Guindo is a Malian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Greek Super League club Lamia and the Mali national team.
Gokulam Kerala FC Women is an Indian women's football section of Gokulam Kerala FC. They participated in Indian Women's League (IWL), the premier women's football league in India. They won the first IWL In 2019–20. They then retained the title in 2021–22 and 2022–23. In 2021, they became the first club to represent India in AFC Women's Club Championship.
The 2019–20 Kerala Premier League Season was the seventh season of the Kerala Premier League. The season featured 10 teams which was divided into 2 groups and were played on a home-and-away format. The season kicked off on 15 December 2019. Former participants Kozhikode Quartz FC, SBI Kerala, RFC Kochi, FC Thrissur withdrew from the league due to financial problems. Meanwhile, Kannur City FC withdrew mid-way throughout the tournament due to some technical issues. Kerala Blasters FC beat Gokulam Kerala F.C. in the finals and lifted their first KPL Title.
The 2020–21 Kerala Premier League season was the eighth season of the Kerala Premier League. The season featured 12 teams which was divided into 2 groups and were played on a home-and-away format. The season was originally scheduled to start in 2020, but was postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19 Pandemic. It began on 6 March 2021 across two centralised venues in Thrissur and Kochi. This season, Kerala Football Association decided to add two more participants into the league. KSEB and BASCO were the new entrants into the league.
The 2021–22 Kerala Premier League was the ninth season of the Kerala Premier League. The season featured 24 teams and was played on multiple venues. This season Kerala Football Association decided to add 12 more participants into the league.
Association football is one of the most popular sports in Kerala. It was introduced to the land of Kerala during the pre-independence period by British officers of the Malabar Special Police (MSP) in the 20th century. MSP was camped in Malappuram and soon the natives began adopting the sport, which was mostly played in post-harvest paddy fields. Kerala enjoyed a golden age from 1985 to 1995 by making it to Santhosh Trophy finals seven times consecutively, and football became an iconic sport ever since in the south Indian state. FIFA released the film Maitanam - The Story of Football in Kerala, quoting: Football in the Indian state of Kerala runs through the fabric of its society, where football is life and life is football.
The 2023–24 Kerala Premier League was the eleventh season of the Kerala Premier League, which is the highest level of the State league system and fifth of the overall Indian football league system.
The 11th Scoreline Kerala Premier league started at the Kottappadi Stadium, Malappuram, on November 25. Twenty teams, divided into two groups, in action in the league and the two three from each pool will enter the Super Six stage which will be held in Kannur early next year. The fixtures were announced on 18 November 2023.
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