United City F.C.

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(Redirected from Ceres–Negros F.C.)

United City
Full nameUnited City Football Club
Nickname(s)The Golden Boys
Short nameUCFC
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012) (as Ceres La-Salle FC)
2020; 4 years ago (2020) (as United City FC)
GroundNew Clark City Athletics Stadium
Capacity20,000
OwnerUnited City Football Company Inc.
ChairpersonEsti Puji Lestari
Head coachMarian Mihail
LeaguePhilippines Football League
2022–23Philippines Football League, withdrew
WebsiteClub website
Current season

United City Football Club is a Filipino professional football club based in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, that last competed in Philippines Football League (PFL), the top-tier league of football in the Philippines. From 2012 to 2020, the club was known as Ceres (founded as Ceres–La Salle; renamed Ceres–Negros in 2017, when it joined the PFL) and was associated with Ceres Liner, a bus company owned by Leo Rey Yanson, the club owner and chairman during that period. As Ceres, its home venue was Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.

As Ceres–La Salle, their first major success in the United Football League (UFL) was winning the UFL Division 2 title in 2014, earning them promotion to the first division. Since then, they have won the UFL FA League Cup (2014) and the UFL Division 1 title (2015). The club also won the PFF National Men's Club Championship twice (2012–13 and 2013–14). As Ceres–Negros, they won the PFL title in three consecutive seasons: 2017 through 2019, as well as the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara. In 2019, they completed the domestic double without a single loss.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which affected Ceres Liner operations, Yanson was forced to sell the club through the help of Emirati-Philippine sports marketing firm MMC Sportz Asia. MMC negotiated the deal on behalf of the new owners who registered the entity as United City Football Company Inc., retained most of the Ceres players and renamed the club to United City F.C.

In February 2023, United City was forced to withdraw from the PFL over financial and legal issues caused by the default of payments by its Singapore investor, Riau Capital Live.

History[edit]

Ceres (2012–2020)[edit]

Early years[edit]

United City was founded by Leo Rey Yanson in 2012 as Ceres–La Salle FC,[1][2][3] with the cooperation of the University of St. La Salle of Bacolod.[4] The club was initially composed of college and some Korean players, becoming primarily led by Philippines national team players.[5] A notable early victory was at the inaugural Negros Men's Open Football Championships in January 2012, an 11–0 win against Bacolod United F.C. in the final.[6]

United City's first national tournament was the 2012–13 PFF National Men's Club Championship.[7] United City won the championship trophy with a 1–0 victory against Pasargad in the final. En route to the championship, they won matches against Stallion, Global and Kaya.[8][9]

United Football League[edit]

After their victory in the PFF championship, Ceres expressed an intention to join the United Football League (UFL, the top-tier football league in the Philippines at that time). They were not able to play in the 2013 UFL season, however, and joined the league for the 2013 UFL Cup.[10][11]

Ceres debuted in the UFL in the 2014 season in Division 2. The club dominated the division, and was promoted to Division 1 the following season.[12][13] Ceres were considered serious contenders for the 2015 UFL Division 1 title in their first year,[14] and clinched the championship with several regular-season games to play.[15] They were unable to replicate their success in the 2016 season, and finished second.

First three seasons in the PFL[edit]

The starting lineup in the club's 2017 AFC Cup zonal semi-final triumph against Johor Darul Ta'zim.
Players on a big-city pitch
Davao Aguilas vs. Ceres–Negros, September 16, 2017.

When the Philippines Football League supplanted the UFL as the Philippines' top-tier football league, Ceres was among the pioneer clubs of the 2017 inaugural season. Ceres renamed themselves the Ceres-Negros F.C., designating the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod as their home venue. Ceres-Negros won the championship in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara title.

Issues at Vallacar Transit affected Ceres-Negros operations during the 2019 season, when the team's status was uncertain due to a Yanson family dispute about Vallacar's management.[16][17] Although Ceres chairman Leo Rey Yanson lost control of Vallacar after four of his siblings staged a boardroom coup in July, he regained control of the company in August.[18] Despite the turmoil, Ceres clinched the league title.[19]

United City (2020–2023)[edit]

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and after the 2020 PFL season was postponed, rumors of Ceres–Negros' departure from the league (or disbanding) have circulated.[20][7] The pandemic triggered a force majeure which terminated the contracts of all the club's players.[21]

In July 2020, Ceres-Negros announced that club owner and chairman Leo Rey Yanson would step down and the club would negotiate with potential investors.[22] Emirati-Philippine sports marketing firm MMC Sportz Asia was announced as the negotiator on behalf of the new group of owners of Ceres–Negros, and renamed the club United City F.C. The new owners said that the core of the original club (16 of its 21 players) would remain.[23] MMC Sportz Asia had been involved in Philippine football as appointed marketing arm of Global F.C. in 2019, but terminated their agreement during the season due to non payment by the club.[24]

United City's, (owned by United City Football Company Inc.) new management re-signed Ceres' former players, intending to retain the core of its previous owner.[25] They include team captain Stephan Schröck, who was appointed a player-coach.[26][27] They went on to clinch the title of the shortened 2020 PFL season which was held in a bubble due to the pandemic. The PFL title was their first as United City, and their fourth overall. They are also the first Filipino Club to qualify in the AFC Champions League group stage. On July 8, 2021, the club beat Beijing FC of China PR to become the first-ever Filipino club to win an AFC Champions League group stage match.[28]

In June 2021, in a lead up to the 2021 PFL season, United City announced that it has adopted New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac as its home locality. It also has entered a partnership with the local government of Pampanga. The club with intentions to have its home stadium also announced that it would be temporarily using the New Clark City Stadium as its home venue. It also said that it would be changing its name to United Clark after the 2021 season.[29][30] The name change did not happen as planned.

The club was not able to play in their home venue either for the 2021 season since most games were still held at the PFF National Training Center.[31] They are finally set to play their first home game at the NCC Athletics Stadium on October 22, 2022, as part of the 2022–23 PFL season.[32]

Withdrawal from the PFL[edit]

Following the conclusion of the first half of the 2022–23 PFL season, United City released its players and staff. The PFL and the PFF would confirm the withdrawal of the club from the league in February 2023. This is due to the financial issues arising from the club's deal with investor Riau Capital Live (RCL) which is based in Singapore. The RCL entered into a major agreement in United City in mid-2021 but later defaulted in October 2022. The non-fulfillment of RCL's final settlement with United City led to the withdrawal of the club while the results of a legal dispute is pending.[33][34][35]

Return[edit]

United City announced its return to the PFL in the 2024 season.[36] United City FC officially appointed Indonesian business women Esti Puji Lestari as chairperson in mid-February 2024. The appointment comes after Esti made an investment to mark a revival and new era at the club.[37][38]

Players[edit]

As of 24 March 2024

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Canada CAN Matt Silva
3 GK Philippines PHI Alvin Rebadulla
5 DF Ivory Coast CIV Koffi Bini
6 MF Sierra Leone SLE John Kamara
7 MF Cameroon CMR Darlton Digha
8 MF Argentina ARG Ricardo Sendra
10 FW Philippines PHI Mark Hartmann
11 MF Philippines PHI Marvin Angeles
12 DF Philippines PHI Miguel Clarino
13 DF Cameroon CMR James Sunday
17 FW Philippines PHI Ivan Ouano
19 MF Cameroon CMR Serge Kaole
20 FW Philippines PHI Curt Dizon
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 DF Philippines PHI Jericho Delos Reyes
22 DF Philippines PHI Zachary Taningco
24 FW Philippines PHI Jemar Andrade
25 FW Philippines PHI Chester Pabualan
29 GK Cameroon CMR Henri Bandeken
32 DF Indonesia IDN Nurhidayat
39 MF Philippines PHI Paolo Bugas
44 DF Philippines PHI Michael Menzi
66 MF Philippines PHI Diego Aspiras
77 FW Cameroon CMR Ariel Ngueukam
88 GK Philippines PHI Aries Palabrica
98 MF Philippines PHI Troy Limbo
99 DF Philippines PHI Pete Forrosuelo

Technical staff[edit]

As of 13 March 2024
Position Name
Chairman Indonesia Esti Lestari
General manager Philippines Maya Montecillo
Head coach Romania Marian Mihail
Assistant coach Romania Liviu Ciobotariu
Romania Nicolae Dică
Physiotherapist Philippines Walfred Javier
Philippines Bianca Acebedo
Masseur Philippines Mark Perez

Crest and colors[edit]

Yellow-and-black club logo
2016–2020 club crest
2019 Ceres–Negros home kit. As Ceres, the kit was predominantly yellow.

As Ceres FC, the club crest was derived from the Ceres Liner emblem. It was encircled in green to represent the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, which is known for its football team. The center is the oval logo of the Yanson company: Vallacar Transit, which owned the club at that time.[39] The team wore yellow home shirts.[40][41][42]

After the renaming of Ceres-Negros as United City F.C., a contest to design a new club crest was announced.[23][43] The new crest, a circle with a football in the center, was unveiled on July 29, 2020.[44] It was designed by Gerard Endaya, creative director of Grit Sports. Some of the crest's elements note United City's past as Ceres; its shape was carried over from its predecessor, and the two stars symbolize United City's incarnations as Ceres–La Salle and Ceres–Negros.[44][45]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors[edit]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2017 Puma Ceres
2018 Adidas
2019 Grand Sport
2020 Montè Athletics Manila Regenerative Center
Midas Magnesium
Gatorade
2021–2022 Chronos Athletics Manila Regenerative Center
Midas Magnesium
Gatorade
BCDA
Allianz
2024 Almer TBA

Stadium[edit]

United City uses the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac since 2021 as their temporary home venue. They plan to build their own stadium beside Clark International Airport in the nearby province of Pampanga, their official partner local government unit.[46] The club has previously announced plans to construct a 7,500 to 10,000-seat capacity stadium.[47] As Ceres, the club had the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod as its home venue.

Other divisions[edit]

Youth club[edit]

United City (as Ceres–Negros) sponsored a youth club with the same name,[48] which competed in the 7's Football League.[49]

Esports club[edit]

UCFC Esports, serves as the esports division of United City. A joint venture with BrenPro, Inc., its formation was announced in June 2021 by the club. It intends to compete in FIFA, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Valorant competitions.[50] UCFC Esports will compete in the 2021 Southeast Asia in the Champions eFootball (CeF), a regional eFootball (PES) tournament.[51]

Head coaches[edit]

Name Year(s)
Philippines Freddie Lazarito 2012–2013
Philippines Ali Go 2013–2014
South Korea Cha Seung-ryong[52][53] 2014–2015
Philippines Ali Go 2015–2016
Philippines Frank Muescan[54] 2016 (AFC Cup)
Serbia Risto Vidaković[55] 2016–2020
Philippines Frank Muescan[56][57][58] (interim) 2020
England Trevor Morgan[note 1] 2020
England Jason Withe[note 2] 2021
Spain Joan Esteva 2022
Romania Marian Mihail 2024-

Honors[edit]

League[edit]

Cups[edit]

Continental record[edit]

Season Competition Round Club Score Agg. / Pos.
Home Away
2014 AFC President's Cup Group Stage North Korea Rimyongsu 2–2 Group B
(3rd)
Chinese Taipei Tatung 2–0
Turkmenistan HTTU 1–2
2015 AFC Cup Play-off Round Maldives Maziya 0–1
2016 AFC Cup Group Stage Malaysia Selangor FA 2–2 0–0 Group E
(1st)
Bangladesh Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi 5–0 2–0
Singapore Tampines Rovers 2–1 1–1
Round of 16 Hong Kong South China 0–1
(a.e.t)
2017 AFC Cup Group Stage Vietnam Hà Nội 6–2 1–1 Group G
(1st)
Singapore Tampines Rovers 5–0 4–2
Malaysia Felda United 0–0 0–3
ASEAN Zonal Semifinal Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 2–1 2–3 4–4 (a)
ASEAN Zonal Final Singapore Home United 2–0 1–2 3–2
Inter-zone Play-off Semifinal Tajikistan Istiklol 1–1 0–4 1–5
2018 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 Myanmar Shan United 1–1
(a.e.t)
(4–3 p)
Preliminary Round 2 Australia Brisbane Roar 3–2
Play-off Round China Tianjin Quanjian 0–2
AFC Cup Group Stage Cambodia Boeung Ket Angkor 9–0 4–0 Group F
2nd
(Best Runner-Up)
Singapore Home United 0–2 1–1
Myanmar Shan United 1–0 2–0
ASEAN Zonal Semifinal Myanmar Yangon United 4–2 2–3 6–5
ASEAN Zonal Final Singapore Home United 1–1 0–2 1–3
2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 Myanmar Yangon United 1–2
AFC Cup Group Stage Myanmar Shan United 3–2 5–0 Group G
(1st)
Vietnam Becamex Bình Dương 0–1 3–1
Indonesia Persija Jakarta 1–0 3–2
ASEAN Zonal Semifinal Vietnam Hà Nội 1–1 1–2 2–3
2020 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1 Myanmar Shan United 3–2
Preliminary Round 2 Thailand Port 1–0
Play-off Round Japan FC Tokyo 0–2
AFC Cup Group Stage Cambodia Svay Rieng 4–0 Cancelled Group G
(1st)
Vietnam Than Quảng Ninh 2–2 Cancelled
Indonesia Bali United 4–0 Cancelled
2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage China Beijing Guoan 1–1 3–2 Group I
(3rd)
South Korea Daegu FC 0–4 0–7
Japan Kawasaki Frontale 0–2 0–8
2022 AFC Champions League Group Stage South Korea Jeonnam Dragons 0–1 0–2 Group F
(4th)
Australia Melbourne City 0–3 0–3
Thailand BG Pathum United 1–3 0–5

Overall record[edit]

Accurate as of February 11, 2020.[66]
Competition Played Won Drew Lost GF GA GD Win%
AFC Champions League 7 3 1 3 9 11 −2 042.86
AFC Cup 39 19 9 11 81 45 +36 048.72
AFC President's Cup 3 1 1 1 5 4 +1 033.33
Total 49 23 11 15 95 60 +35 046.94

Invitational tournaments[edit]

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2016 Singapore Cup Preliminary Round Singapore Young Lions 3–1 (a.e.t)
Quarter-final Brunei DPMM FC 2–3 3–0 5–3
Semi-final Singapore Tampines Rovers 2–3 1–2 3–5
Third place Singapore Balestier Khalsa 2–1
2017 Singapore Cup Preliminary Round Singapore Hougang United 0–1

AFC Club ranking[edit]

As of 25 February 2024.[67]
Current Rank Country Team
371 Philippines United City
372 Thailand Samut Songkhram
373 Lebanon AC Tripoli
374 Thailand TOT Sport Club
375 United Arab Emirates Al-Dhafra

Records[edit]

Season Division Teams League position Copa Paulino Alcantara PFF NMCC UFL Cup League Cup Singapore Cup AFC President's Cup AFC Cup AFC Champions League
2013 Champion Quarter-final
2014 2 (P) 12 1st Champion Champion Group stage
2015 1 10 1st 3rd Place Runners-up Play-off Round
2016 1 12 2nd Runners-up 3rd Place Round of 16
2017 1 8 2nd (Regular Season) Preliminary Round Inter Zone Semi-final
1st (Final Series)
2018 1 6 1st Group stage ASEAN Zonal Final Play-off round
2019 1 7 1st 1st ASEAN Zonal Semi-Final Preliminary Round
2020 1 6 1st Group stage (cancelled) Play-off round
2021 6 N/A (cancelled) N/A (withdrew) Group stage
2022–23 1 7 N/A (withdrew)
2024
Updated as of 25 February 2024

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Morgan was hired by United City F.C. supposedly for the 2020 PFL season.[59][60] However Frank Muescan coached in Morgan's stead due to Morgan, who was based in Australia at that time, unable to go to the Philippines due to logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[61]
  2. ^ Withe was hired by United City F.C. as the club's official head coach, at least for its 2021 AFC Champions League campaign due to White possessing the needed coaching license to lead a team in the continental tournament which caretaker coach, Frank Muescan, did not have.[62] Muescan served as head coach in a de facto capacity, with Withe serving as a consultant to Muescan.[61]

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