Kerala United Football Club is an Indian professional football club based in Edavanna, Malappuram, Kerala. Founded in 1975 as Calicut Quartz FC,[3] the club was an amateur and academy side during its early years. In December 2011, they announced their intention to turn professional and qualified for the I-League 2nd Division, the third tier of Indian club football.[4]
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Full name | Kerala United Football Club[1] | |||
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Nickname(s) | The Hornbills | |||
Founded | 1976[2] 2020 (rebranded as Kerala United FC) | (as Calicut Quartz FC)|||
Ground | Seethi Haji Stadium, Edavanna, Kerala | |||
Capacity | 3,000 | |||
Owner | Jan Van Winckel United World Group | |||
Head coach | Vacant | |||
League | Kerala Premier League | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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.[5] After the takeover of Quartz FC in 2020 by United World Group, the club was rebranded as Kerala United FC.[6][7] The home ground of the club is Seethi Haji Stadium at Edavanna.
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. The Quartz Academy started in 2009 and has shown good promise.
In December 2011, they were officially certified by the All India Football Federation to participate in the I-League 2nd Division, the third tier of football in India. 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.[8]
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.
“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.[9]
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 P 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 which ended goalless. They lost to Gokulam Kerala FC 4–2 in penalties at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium.[10][11]
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 the team's home kit. The current home kit is a purple shirt with the hornbill enlarged crest hornbill in the right side, white shorts and white socks.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
---|---|---|
2017–2018 | Nivia | ICL Fincorp |
2018–2020 | Ramco | |
2020–Present | KESPO[12] | Micro Health Laboratories |
Stadium
From 1977 Kerala United FC played all its home matches in the EMS Stadium which is located in the heart of the Kozhikode.[13] The West stand is the largest and could accommodate the maximum number of people.
From 2021 Kerala United FC shifted their Base from Kozhikode to Malappuram District announced Seethi Haji Stadium, located in Edavanna, as their new home ground.[14]
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.[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.[15] The first Kozhikode Derby match between the two teams took place in the final of 2017–18 Kerala Premier League, where Gokulam Kerala FC beat by two goals.[16]
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- (Including Friendlies & Non-competitive matches).
Players
First-team squad
- As of 04 May 2021
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
Had international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Kerala United FC.
India
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Managers
- As of 19 October 2020
First Team Coaching Staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Vacant |
Assistant Coach | Vacant |
Team Manager | Jewel Jose |
Club Physio | Anas Paloli |
Youth Academy
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head of Grassroots Development | Shajirudheen Koppilan |
Head of Youth Development | Suneer VP |
Head coach's record
Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Braner | ![]() | 1 January 2012 | 28 May 2012 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 0.00 |
Bino George | ![]() | 29 May 2012 | 29 December 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Carlton Chapman | ![]() | 28 May 2017 | 12 October 2020 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 60.00 |
Shajirudheen Koppilan | ![]() | 15 January 2021 | 4 July 2021 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 66.67 |
Corporate Heirarchy
Position | Name |
---|---|
Chief Executive Officer | Shabeer Mannaril[17] |
Managing Director | Zakariya Koduvery[18] |
Statistics and records
Season | I-League 2nd Division | Federation Cup/Super Cup | KPL | Kozhikode District League |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | Group stage | DNP | - | 1 |
2012-13 | DNQ | DNP | - | |
2013-14 | DNQ | DNP | Group Stage | |
2014-15 | DNQ | DNP | DNP | |
2015-16 | DNQ | DNP | DNP | |
2016-17 | DNQ | DNP | Pulled Out from the League | Runner-Up |
2017–18 | DNP | DNP | Runner-Up | Runner-Up |
2018–19 | DNQ | DNP | DNP | DNP |
2019–20 | DNP | Tournament Cancelled | DNP | DNP |
2020–21 | - | Tournament Cancelled | Semi Final | - |
- Key
- Pos. = Position in league
- Attendance/G = Average league attendance
Affiliated clubs
The following clubs are currently affiliated with:
- Sheffield United F.C. (2020–present)[19][20]
- Al-Hilal United (2020–present)
- K Beerschot VA (2020–present)
- LB Châteauroux (2021–present)
Honours
League
As Kerala United FC
- Kerala Premier League
- Semi-finals (1): 2020–21
As Calicut Quartz FC
- Kerala Premier League
Runners-up (1): 2017–18[21]
- Kozhikode District League
Champions (2): 2011, 2012
Runners-up (1): 2017, 2018
See also
- Football in Kerala
- List of football clubs in India
- Kerala Premier League
- I-League Second Division
References
- ^ "Kerala United FC: Calicut club renamed after United World Group takeover". Khel Now. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Kumar, Ajith (26 September 2012). "Quartz SC goes on signing spree". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ Kumar, Ajith (26 September 2012). "Quartz SC goes on signing spree". The Hindu. 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.
- ^ Muralidharan, Ashwin. "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 18 February 2021.
- ^ Kumar P K, Ajith (26 September 2012). "Quartz SC goes on signing spree". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "Sheffield Calicut Quartz' new owner, Kerala United name". New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 April 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.
- ^ "Kerala premier league football championship kickoff in March - Malayalam MyKhel". malayalam.mykhel.com (in Malayalam). 8 February 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "football in Calicut". Kozhikode.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ 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 2 July 2021.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (15 January 2021). "United World's soccer team begins training". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (15 January 2021). "United World's soccer team begins training". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Indian football: Kerala's football passion gets the Sheffield United seal of 'approval'! | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ 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
External links
- Quartz Website
- KUFC Telegram Channel