Kitchee_FC

Kitchee SC

Kitchee SC

Football club


Kitchee Sports Club (Chinese: 傑志體育會; Jyutping: Git6zi3 Tai2juk6wui2; [kiːt̚˨ tsiː˧ tʰɐi˧˥ jok̚˨ wuːi˧˥]; pinyin: Jiézhì tǐyù huì) is a Hong Kong professional football club based in Kowloon. It was founded in 1931 and currently competes in the Hong Kong Premier League.

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The club has won 12 league titles, including six Hong Kong First Division titles and six Hong Kong Premier League titles. They also won nine Senior Shields and seven Hong Kong FA Cups. The club is also the first Hong Kong club to win a game in AFC Champions League group stage and to advance to the round of 16 of the competition.

History

Formation

Kitchee's first headquarters at 130 Johnston Road, Wan Chai.

In the late 1920s, a group of Hong Kongers formed a football team in order to compete in the Hong Kong Third Division. It was not until 1931, however, that the team was established as Kitchee Sports Club.[1]

Kitchee was founded as a grassroots organization, as such, they lacked the funding to pay the administrative and facilities costs necessary to become a multi sports club. It was not until 1934 when the club were able to raise the money to rent an office at 130 Johnston Road in Wan Chai, that they were admitted as members of the Hong Kong Football Association.[2]

World War II

In 1939, Japanese bombs hit Hong Kong during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[3] The club's records during this time were destroyed during the bombing.

As the Pacific War began, Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on 25 December 1941, therefore the club's operations were suspended during the three-year, eight-month Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.

After the Japanese surrender of Hong Kong in August 1945, former members of Kitchee returned to the club. They resolved to help revitalize the Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation of Hong Kong and establish the Chinese Football Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Chinese Football Referees’ Association and the Hong Kong Chinese Footballer's Fraternity.[4]

Post War to 1964

Kitchee squad in Macau ahead of a charity exhibition match in 1959.

Following the war, Kitchee were admitted into the 1947–48 Hong Kong First Division League where they won the league title, the club's first major trophy. Between 1947 and 1964, the club won three Hong Kong First Division titles, one Second Division title, four Hong Kong Senior Shield's and one Hong Kong Junior Shield.

During this period, Kitchee discovered Hong Kong football legends Yiu Cheuk Yin and Lam Sheung Yee. Yiu led the club to its first two First Division titles and later became known as the "Treasure of Hong Kong Football."[5] Lam spent a total 14 years at Kitchee, split between two spells, and was a part of every Kitchee squad which won a trophy between 1948 and 1964.[6]

1964 to 2003

In 1965–66, Kitchee won only one game while drawing four others in the season, finishing second bottom of the table. The club were relegated after a 17-year spell in the top flight. In the subsequent season, Kitchee slid into the Third Division for the first time in three decades.

In the late 1980s, Law Ding Chun was hired as the new chairman of Kitchee. Law moved quickly to modernize the operations of Kitchee, buying insurance for all of his players in order to provide them with peace of mind in the event of an injury. His changes worked as Kitchee were soon promoted back to the Second Division.

In 1991–92, Kitchee won the Second Division title, returning to the top flight for the first time in 26 years. The squad during this period featured many future Hong Kong internationals including Yau Kin Wai, Chung Ho Yin, Yeung Hei Chi, Yeung Ching Kwong, Dale Tempest, as well as former England international Mark Barham. Kitchee spent three seasons in the top flight before they were relegated along with Kui Tan at the end of the 1994–95 season.

During the 1998–99 season, Kitchee won promotion back to the First Division as well as the Hong Kong Junior Shield. The following year, the squad were led by a backbone of young local players such as Lee Wai Lun, Man Pei Tak and Ng Wai Chiu. However, these were soon poached by bigger clubs and due to inadequate replacements, the performance of the team suffered and Kitchee were once again relegated at the conclusion of the 2000–01 season.

Ahead of the 2002–03 season, former Hong Kong national team manager Chan Hung Ping was hired as Kitchee's manager. He led the team to the Second Division title in his one and only season as manager.

A new golden age

Following their return to the First Division in 2003, Kitchee became one of the most prominent teams in Hong Kong, winning three trophies in two seasons under coach Dejan Antonic: two in 2005–06 and one in 2006–07 season. The club secured 2nd place in the league, along with league champions South China who had already qualified for the AFC Cup as the Hong Kong Senior Shield winners. As a result, Kitchee became one of two Hong Kong representatives in the 2008 AFC Cup.

Since 2009, the club has been a partner of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in its Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement (IPPE) program.[7]

Kitchee were invited to take part in the 2010 Singapore Cup,[8] becoming the first Hong Kong team to take part in the tournament. The club lost to Etoile FC 4–6 over two legs in the quarter final.

In the 2010–11 season, under coach Josep Gombau, Kitchee won its first league title in 47 years by one point over arch rival South China,[9] allowing the club to compete in both the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy, where they lost 0–4 to Chelsea and 0–3 to Blackburn Rovers, and in the 2012 AFC Cup.[10]

Between 2011 and 2014, Kitchee players combined to win the Footballer of the Year award for four straight years. The recipients of this award were Roberto Losada in 2011, Lo Kwan Yee in 2012, Huang Yang in 2013 and Fernando Recio in 2014.

In 2012, Kitchee Foundation submitted a successful proposal to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for a youth football training centre. The club received over HK$44 million from the trust for the establishment of a training ground at Shek Mun, Shatin, New Territories. The Jockey Club Kitchee Centre, as it was later called, opened in 2014. The trust provided 90% of the funding, with the rest coming in part from the proceeds of a Kitchee vs Arsenal exhibition match where they drew 2–2.[11] Apart from serving as the training ground of Kitchee first team and Kitchee Academy, the centre also provides facilities for the Education Bureau-approved Professional Footballer Preparatory Programme, which Kitchee jointly offers with Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School, in order to integrate football training into regular school curriculum and schedule.

In October 2012, Arsenal donated HK$780,000 to Kitchee Foundation in support of the youth training centre.[12] The club won the 2013–14 First Division title. The following season, Kitchee won the inaugural Hong Kong Premier League, the 2014–15 HKFA Cup and the 2014–15 League Cup, completing the treble for the second time.[13]

In 2016–17, Kitchee completed a treble for the third time, capturing the Senior Shield, the Hong Kong FA Cup and the Hong Kong Premier League title.[14] The club promoted long time assistant coach Chu Chi Kwong to head coach role and Director of Football. Brazilian attacking midfielder Fernando won the 2017 Footballer of the Year award while striker Sandro won the Golden Boot.[15]

During the 2017 AFC Champions League qualifiers, Kitchee won against Vietnam's Hanoi FC 3–2 but lost in the playoff rounds to Ulsan Hyundai in penalties.[16]

The following season, Kitchee directly qualified 2018 AFC Champions League group stage through their HKPL title. To prepare for the competition, the club signed former World Cup Golden Ball winner, Uruguayan footballer Diego Forlán.[17] The club managed to achieve a 1–0 win over Kashiwa Reysol at home, becoming the first team from Hong Kong to win a game in the history of the AFC Champions League group stage.[18] Domestically, Kitchee won the Premier League, FA Cup and the Sapling Cup, completing a treble for the second consecutive season and the fourth in club history.[19]

In 2021, the club signed former Montenegrin international Dejan Damjanović, who won the Golden Boot with 17 goals in his first season with the club.[20] The Bluewaves won the 2020–21 Hong Kong Premier League title on the final day of the season, beating rivals Eastern 2–0.[21] Kitchee followed up their domestic success by accumulating 11 points in their 2021 AFC Champions League, a record for a Hong Kong club in the competition.[22]

During the 2022 AFC Champions League, Kitchee made history by becoming the first Hong Kong club to advance to the round of 16.[23]

In 2022–23 season, Kitchee completed a treble again by winning the Senior Shield, the Hong Kong FA Cup and the Hong Kong Premier League title.[24]

Current squad

As of 1 June 2024[25]

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

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Remarks:
LP These players are considered as local players in Hong Kong domestic football competitions.
FP These players are registered as foreign players.

Out on loan

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

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Club officials

Basic Information

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Coaching staff

[26]

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Club personnel

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Honours

Domestic League

Other Domestic League

Domestic Cup competitions

Other Domestic Cup competitions

Performance in AFC competitions

All results list Kitchee's goal tally first.

Win Draw Loss
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  1. Played at a neutral venue.

Notable seasons

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Premier League era

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Invitational Tournament record

All results list Kitchee's goal tally first.

Win Draw Loss

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Club culture and Supporters

Established in 2011, the Blue Wave is the official fans club organised by Kitchee to offer fans with special perks and offers. Originally a fans-organised cheering group, the Blue Wave became the club's official fans club in 2011, while retaining the name Blue Wave after the reorganisation. Since its formation, the Blue Wave has become an identity shared by all Kitchee fans as they come to the stadium every match day, cheering and supporting the players on the field.

Notable head coaches

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All-time Player Records

Most appearances

As of 11 February 2024; active players still with the club in bold.

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Most goals

As of 11 February 2024; active players still with the club in bold.

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Asia Football Clubs Ranking

More information Asia Football Clubs Ranking, Team Name ...

Footnotes

  1. Upon its formation in 2014, Hong Kong Premier League became the top tier of Hong Kong football; the First and Second Divisions then became the second and third tiers, respectively.

References

  1. Chow, Ka Kin (28 August 2015). 濁世消磨──日治時期香港人的休閒生活. Chung Hwa Book Co.(HK) Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 9789888340507.
  2. "傑志歷史". Kitchee Football Team. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2017. (in Chinese)
  3. "War in China". Time. 6 March 1939. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. "傑志歷史". Kitchee Football Team. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2017. (in Chinese)
  5. "'Treasure of Hong Kong Football' Yiu dies". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  6. Lo, Clifford; Chow, Vivienne. "City mourns Spencer Lam, the soccer hero turned commentator famous for his dry wit". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
  7. Injury prevention and performance enhancement intervention in soccer Archived 28 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Sports Performance and Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
  8. "企業新聞及活動 - [佳能香港有限公司]". www.canon.com.hk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  9. "英超亞洲錦標賽布力般流浪3比0挫傑志奪季軍". Yahoo News (in Chinese). 30 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  10. "ARSENAL MATCH TO CELEBRATE ESTABLISHMENT OF JOCKEY CLUB KITCHEE CENTRE". Hong Kong Jockey Club. 5 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  11. Chan Kin Wa (17 October 2012). "Arsenal: 'We've promised fans a China rematch'". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  12. Zuser, Tobias (21 May 2015). "FA Cup glory: Kitchee make the treble perfect – offside.hk". Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  13. "Kitchee edge South China in FA Cup Final to clinch treble". Football Tribe. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  14. 體路 (17 May 2017). "【足球明星選舉】「四料」香港足球先生費蘭度:「人生最美好的一日!」". 體路 Sportsroad. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  15. "Kitchee fall to Ulsan in AFC Champions League penalty shoot-out". South China Morning Post. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  16. "Forlan joins Kitchee to lead AFC Champions League charge". South China Morning Post. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  17. simon (15 March 2018). "Kitchee Claim First Ever ACL Win | bc magazine". www.bcmagazine.net. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. Yeung, Patrick Au (28 May 2018). "Kitchee win treble after 2-1 victory over Tai Po in FA Cup Final – offside.hk". Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  19. "Dejan Damjanovic signs for Hong Kong's Kitchee SC". the-AFC. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  20. "Kitchee crown themselves champions once again". chinadailyhk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  21. Yuen, Chi Ho. "傑志被看淡下成績遠超預期 唐建文勉團結:放棄就玩完". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  22. "巴爾拿補時建奇功 傑志逼和神戶歷史性晉級十六強". Sportsroad (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  23. "Kitchee thrash BC Rangers in Hong Kong FA Cup final to complete treble". South China Morning Post. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  24. "傑志 | 傑志". www.kitchee.com (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  25. "傑志 | 傑志". www.kitchee.com (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. "Kitchee SC Club Ranking History Chart". Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  27. "Asia Football / Soccer Clubs Ranking". Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.

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