Kerala United FC
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Full name | Kerala United Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Hornbills | ||
Founded | 1976 | (as Calicut Quartz FC)||
Ground | EMS Stadium, Kozhikode | ||
Capacity | 53,000 | ||
Owner | Jan Van Winckel United World Group | ||
Chairman | Jan Van Winckel | ||
Head coach | Shajirudheen Koppalin | ||
League | Kerala Premier League | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Kerala United Football Club is an Indian professional football Club based in Kozhikode, Kerala. Founded in 1976 as Calicut Quartz FC, 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 second tier of Indian club football.[1] They spent one season in the division, and in 2019 they played in the Kerala Premier League. The club is currently owned by United World Group.[2] After the takeover of Quartz FC in 2020 , the club was rebranded as Kerala United FC.[3]
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 and Ajmaluddin and V.V. Farhad, the top-scorer and Player-of-the-Tournament at the last Santosh Trophy, were signed by the club for 2012 I-League 2nd Division but failed to gain promotion to the top tier.[4]
Crest and colours
The United World Group had unveiled the crest after rebranding the club which features the Great Hornbill, the state bird of Kerala.
The primary colour of team is purple which dominantes the teams home kit.
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
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2017 - 2018 | Nivia | ICL Fincorp |
2018 - 2020 | Ramco | |
2020 - Present | KESPO | 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 Calicut city(Kozhikode). The West stand is the largest and could accommodate the maximum number of people.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Kozhikode_EMS_Stadium.jpg/250px-Kozhikode_EMS_Stadium.jpg)
From 2021 Kerala United FC shifted their Base from Kozhikode to Malappuram District.As followed by announcing Seethi Haji Stadium,Edavanna as their new Home Ground.
Support and rivalry
Supporters
A club recognised Kozhikode fan club by the name Rose Brigade has been in support since 2017.[citation needed] The EMS Stadium has seen an average attendance of 45,000. The players and the coach have often acknowledged the fans' support in the success and called them The 12th Man.
Rivalries
Kozhikode Kerala United FC and Gokulam Kerala enjoys an on field rivalry. The first Kozhikode Derby match between these two team took place on champion and Runners-up in 2017–18 Kerala Premier League.
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- (Including Friendlies & Non-competitive matches).
Players
First-team squad
- As of 14 January 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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Current technical staff
- As of 19 October 2020
Position | Name |
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Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | ![]() |
Manager | ![]() |
Chief Coach | Vacant |
Technical Director | ![]() |
Club Physio | TBA |
Head Coach's Record
Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
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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 | 28 July 2020 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 20 | 60.00 |
Simón Elissetche | ![]() |
3 November 2020 | Present | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Statistics and records
Season | Div. | Tms. | Pos. | Attendance/G | Federation Cup/Super Cup | KPL | Kozhikode District League |
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2012 | I-League 2nd | 23 | Group stage | – | DNP | 6th | 1 |
2017–18 | I-League 2nd | 18 | DNP | – | DNP | 2 | 2 |
2018–19 | I-League 2nd | 16 | Not Participated | - | DNP | DNP | DNP |
2019–20 | I-League 2nd | 18 | DNP | - | DNP | - | DNP |
2020–21 | I-League 2nd | - | - | - | DNP | - | - |
- Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
- Attendance/G = Average league attendance
Affiliated club(s)
The following club is currently affiliated with FC Goa:
Sheffield United F.C. (2020–present)[5]
Honours
League
- Group stage : 2012
- Runners-up (1) : 2017–18
- Kozhikode District League
- Winners (2) :2011, 2012
See also
References
- ^ "Football: Quartz Raises hope". Deccan Chronicle. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ "Sheffield Calicut Quartz' new owner, Kerala United name". www.newindianexpress.com. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ Muralidharan, Ashwin. "Indian football: Kerala's football passion gets the Sheffield United seal of 'approval'! | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Kumar P K, Ajith (26 September 2012). "Quartz SC goes on signing spree". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ^ "Indian football: Kerala's football passion gets the Sheffield United seal of 'approval'! | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 20 November 2020.