Template:Infobox football club
Kerala United Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Malappuram, Kerala.[1] Founded in 1976 as Calicut Quartz FC,[2] the club was an amateur and academy side during its early years. In December 2011, they announced intention to turn professional and participated in the I-League 2nd Division, the second tier of Indian club football.[3]
The club spent a season 2012–13 in the second division and later played in the Kerala Premier League. In 2017–18 Kerala Premier League season, they finished as runners-up.[4][5] After the takeover of Quartz FC in 2020 by United World Group, the club was rebranded as Kerala United FC.[6][7] 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.[1]
History
Quartz Football Club was founded in 1976 in Kozhikode, Kerala and since has been growing up step by step from district to state to national level.[8] The Quartz Academy started in 2009 and has shown good promise.Template:Citation needed
In December 2011, they were officially certified by the All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division. The 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, Ajmaluddin and V.V. Farhad, the top-scorer and player of the tournament at the 2012 Santosh Trophy, were signed by the club for 2012 I-League 2nd Division but failed to gain promotion to the top tier.[9]
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.[10]
P. Haridas, who owned Calicut Quartz FC and is also the president of the Kozhikode District Football Association, 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 FC and Kerala United FC, match ending goalless. They lost 4–2 on penalties at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium.[11][12]
Crest and colours
The United World Group had unveiled the crest after rebranding the club which features the Great Hornbill, the official state bird of Kerala.
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
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2013– 2014 | - | Ramco |
| 2017– 2018 | Nivia | ICL Fincorp |
| 2018– 2020 | Ramco[13] | |
| 2020– 2021 | KESPO[14] | Micro Health Laboratories |
| 2021–Present | SEGA[1] |
Stadium
Former venues
Since 1977, Kerala United FC played its home matches at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode.[15]
In 2021, Kerala United FC shifted their base from Kozhikode to Malappuram district Seethi Haji Stadium, located in Edavanna, as their training ground.[16][17]
Current venue
The club plays its home games at the Payyanad Stadium in nearby town called Manjeri.[1]
Support and rivalry
Supporters
During its time as Calicut Quartz FC, a club recognised Kozhikode fan club named Rose Brigade were the supporters since 2017.Template:Citation needed The EMS Stadium had seen an average attendance of 45,000. The players and the coach had often acknowledged the fans' support in the success and called them "The 12th Man". Since the rebranding into Kerala United FC and the move into neighbouring Malappuram the club is building a great fan following in the locality.
Rivalries
During their time at Kozhikode as Calicut Quartz FC, they enjoyed an on field rivalry with another Kozhikode based side Gokulam Kerala FC.[18] 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.[19] 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 goaless draw even after full time. Gokulam won 4–2 on penalties.[20]
Statistics
| 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 |
Results
| 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 | Template:Goal Brian Umony, Template:Goal Arjun Jayaraj | ||
| 2 | 10 May 2018 | 2017–18 Kerala Premier League | EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode | 0–2 | Template:Goal Mohamed Salah, Template:Goal Usman Ashik | ||
| 1 | 25 April 2018 | 2017–18 Kerala Premier League | EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode | 3–2 | Template:GoalTemplate:GoalTemplate:Goal Emmanuel Aidoo | Template:Goal Sushanth Mathew, Template:Goal Mama |
Honours
| Competition | Kerala United | Gokulam |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala Premier League | 0 | 2[21][22] |
| I-League 2nd Division | 0 | 0 |
| I-League | 0 | 1[23] |
| Super Cup (India) | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 3 |
Players
First-team squad
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Notable Players
Had international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Kerala United FC. Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3 India
- Template:Flagicon Rino Anto (2012)
Template:Col-end Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3 Bhutan
- Template:Flagicon Biren Basnet (2018)
Managers
Technical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Template:Flagicon Bino George |
| Assistant coach | Template:Flagicon Shareef Khan |
| Team manager | Template:Flagicon Jewel Jose |
| Physiotherapist | Template:Flagicon Adhith KJ |
Youth academy
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of grassroots development | Template:Flagicon Shajirudheen Koppilan |
| Head of youth development | Template:Flagicon Suneer VP |
| Physiotherapist | Template:Flagicon Anas Paloli |
Head coaching record
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Braner | Template:GER | 1 January 2012 | 28 May 2012 | |||||||
| Bino George | Template:IND | 29 May 2012 | 29 December 2012 | |||||||
| Carlton Chapman | Template:IND | 28 May 2017 | 12 October 2020 | |||||||
| Shajirudheen Koppilan | Template:IND | 15 January 2021 | 4 July 2021 | |||||||
| Bino George | Template:IND | 16 August 2021 |
Corporate heirarchy
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Template:Flagicon Shabeer Mannaril[24] |
| Managing Director | Template:Flagicon Zakariya Koduvery[25] |
Statistics and records
| Season | KPL | 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 | - |
Affiliated clubs
The following clubs are currently affiliated with KUFC:
- Template:Flagicon Sheffield United (2020–present)[26][27]
- Template:Flagicon Al-Hilal United (2020–present)
- Template:Flagicon K Beerschot VA (2020–present)
- Template:Flagicon LB Châteauroux (2021–present)
Honours
Domestic tournaments
- Kerala Premier League
- Kozhikode District League
- Champions (2): 2011, 2012
- Runners-up (1): 2017, 2018
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 KUFC announces Manjeri Payyanad Stadium as their home stadium | Fanport English, Newsroom. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
- ↑ Quartz SC goes on signing spree. The Hindu(26 September 2012). Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ↑ Football: Quartz Raises hope. Deccan Chronicle(1 January 2012). Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ↑ KPL 2018-19 Matches. KFA. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ↑ India - List of Kerala League Champions RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2021
- ↑ Indian football: Kerala's football passion gets the Sheffield United seal of 'approval'! | Goal.com. www.goal.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ↑ Sheffield Calicut Quartz’ new owner, Kerala United name. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
- ↑ United World Group, Owners of Sheffield United, Buy Kerala-Based Football Club. 90min.com. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
- ↑ Quartz SC goes on signing spree(26 September 2012). Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ↑ Sheffield United owners seal takeover of India club Calicut Quartz and rename it Kerala United. examinerlive.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ↑ KPL: Gokulam Kerala to meet KSEB in final. www.onmanorama.com/sports. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Kerala Premier League 2021: Gokulam Kerala defeat KSEB to be crowned champions. Goal.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ KFA Announces Kerala Premier League. Football News India. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
- ↑ Kerala premier league football championship kickoff in March - Malayalam MyKhel. malayalam.mykhel.com(2021-02-08). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ↑ football in Calicut. Kozhikode.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ↑ United World’s soccer team begins training. The Hindu(2021-01-15). Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ↑ Kerala United FC at Seethi Haji Stadium in Edavanna Facebook.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021
- ↑ football in Calicut. Kozhikode.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ↑ Welcome to Kerala Football Association. Kerala FA. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
- ↑ KPL: Gokulam Kerala to meet KSEB in final. OnManorama. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ↑ Kerala Premier League: Gokulam Kerala defeat Quartz to be crowned champions | Goal.com. www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ↑ Kerala Premier League 2021: Gokulam Kerala defeat KSEB to be crowned champions | Goal.com. www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ↑ I-League 2020-21: Gokulam Kerala crowned champions. ESPN(2021-03-27). Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ↑ United World’s soccer team begins training. The Hindu(2021-01-15). Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ↑ United World’s soccer team begins training. The Hindu(2021-01-15). Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ↑ Indian football: Kerala's football passion gets the Sheffield United seal of 'approval'! | Goal.com. www.goal.com. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ↑ EPL side Sheffield United owners seal takeover of Indian club Calicut Quartz and rename it Kerala United FC spotik.in. Retrieved 15 April 2021
- ↑ Kerala Premier League 2017–18 Final Kerala Football Association. Retrieved 27 February 2021
Maharashtra T20gully cricket leauge
External links
Template:I-League 2nd Division Template:Football in India Template:Kerala Sports