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| nickname = The Cheetahs
| nickname = The Cheetahs
| short name = HOU
| short name = HOU
| Hashtag = #1H1H
| founded = {{start date and age|1998}} as ''Marine Castle United''<br />{{start date and age|2011}} as ''Hougang United''
| founded = {{start date and age|1998}} as ''Marine Castle United''<br />{{start date and age|2011}} as ''Hougang United''
| ground = [[Hougang Stadium]]<br />[[Jalan Besar Stadium]] (Hougang stadium going through renovation works)
| ground = [[Hougang Stadium]]
| capacity = 3,800<br />10,000
| capacity = 3,800<br />10,000
| chairman = Bill Ng
| chairman = Bill Ng
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| position = [[Singapore Premier League]], 6th of 9
| position = [[Singapore Premier League]], 6th of 9
| current = 2024–25 Hougang United FC season
| current = 2024–25 Hougang United FC season
| pattern_la1 = _whiteborder
| pattern_la1 =
| pattern_b1 = _whitevertical
| pattern_b1 =
| pattern_ra1 = _whiteborder
| pattern_ra1 =
| pattern_sh1 =
| pattern_sh1 =
| pattern_so1 =
| pattern_so1 =
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| body1 = FF8000
| body1 = FF8000
| rightarm1 = FF8000
| rightarm1 = FF8000
| shorts1 =
| shorts1 = 000000
| socks1 = FF8000
| socks1 = 000000
| pattern_la2 =
| pattern_la2 =
| pattern_b2 = _orangevertical
| pattern_b2 =
| pattern_ra2 =
| pattern_ra2 =
| pattern_sh2 =
| pattern_sh2 =
| pattern_so2 =
| pattern_so2 =
| leftarm2 = FF8000
| leftarm2 = 0560d4
| body2 = 0000CD
| body2 = 0560d4
| rightarm2 = FF8000
| rightarm2 = 0560d4
| shorts2 = 0000CD
| shorts2 = 0560d4
| socks2 = 0000CD
| socks2 = 0560d4
| website = http://www.hgfc.com.sg/
| website = http://www.hgfc.com.sg/
}}
}}


'''Hougang United Football Club''' is a professional [[Football club (association football)|football club]] based in [[Hougang]], [[Singapore]]. The club competes in the [[Singapore Premier League]], the top tier of [[Singapore football league system|Singaporean football]]. Founded in 1998 as Marine Castle United, the club changed its name to Hougang United in 2011. Nicknamed the Cheetahs, [[Hougang United]] has played its home games at [[Hougang Stadium]] since its formation.
'''Hougang United Football Club''' is a professional [[Football club (association football)|football club]] based in [[Hougang]], [[Singapore]]. The club competes in the [[Singapore Premier League]], the top tier of [[Singapore football league system|Singaporean football]]. Founded in 1998 as Marine Castle United, the club changed its name to Hougang United in 2011. Nicknamed the Cheetahs, [[Hougang United]] has played its home games at [[Hougang Stadium]] since its formation.


Currently, the club are playing their home games at the [[Jalan Besar Stadium]], as the [[Hougang Stadium]] is undergoing renovation.
Currently, the club are playing their home games at the [[Jalan Besar Stadium]], as the [[Hougang Stadium]] is undergoing renovation.
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On 1 January 2011, the chairman of Sengkang Punggol Football Club, Mr. Bill Ng, announced the changes that began the rewriting of another chapter of the football club. With improved financial status and a change in name to the present '''Hougang United Football Club''', there was renewed optimism among the Hougang fan base around the club's home stadium since its inception, [[Hougang Stadium]].<ref name="stadium">{{cite news | url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/eight-singapore-premier-league-clubs-share-stadiums-views-divided-over-semi-permanent-move | title=Eight Singapore Premier League clubs to share stadiums, views divided over 'semi-permanent move' | access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> The club also had its fair share of [[marquee player]]s in the earlier days such as [[Michael Currie (footballer)|Michael Currie]], who formerly played for [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]). Conversely, [[Grant Holt]] began his early career at the club, before going on to play for upper division clubs in England, such as [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] and [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in the [[English Premier league|English Premier League]].
On 1 January 2011, the chairman of Sengkang Punggol Football Club, Mr. Bill Ng, announced the changes that began the rewriting of another chapter of the football club. With improved financial status and a change in name to the present '''Hougang United Football Club''', there was renewed optimism among the Hougang fan base around the club's home stadium since its inception, [[Hougang Stadium]].<ref name="stadium">{{cite news | url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/eight-singapore-premier-league-clubs-share-stadiums-views-divided-over-semi-permanent-move | title=Eight Singapore Premier League clubs to share stadiums, views divided over 'semi-permanent move' | access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> The club also had its fair share of [[marquee player]]s in the earlier days such as [[Michael Currie (footballer)|Michael Currie]], who formerly played for [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]). Conversely, [[Grant Holt]] began his early career at the club, before going on to play for upper division clubs in England, such as [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] and [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in the [[English Premier league|English Premier League]].


In November 2014, it was announced that Hougang United and [[Woodlands Wellington FC|Woodlands Wellington]] will merge for the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ong|first1=Terence|title=Jaguars to sit out next S-League season, Rams to merge with Hougang|url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/jaguars-sit-out-next-s-league-season-rams-merge-hougang|access-date=6 November 2014|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=4 November 2014|archive-date=6 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106050036/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/jaguars-sit-out-next-s-league-season-rams-merge-hougang|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In November 2014, it was announced that Hougang United and [[Woodlands Wellington FC|Woodlands Wellington]] will merge for the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ong|first1=Terence|title=Jaguars to sit out next S-League season, Rams to merge with Hougang|url=http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/jaguars-sit-out-next-s-league-season-rams-merge-hougang|access-date=6 November 2014|work=Asia One Sports |date=4 November 2014|archive-date=6 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106050036/http://news.asiaone.com/news/sports/jaguars-sit-out-next-s-league-season-rams-merge-hougang}}</ref>


=== AFC Cup debut ===
=== AFC Cup debut ===
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===First silverware===
===First silverware===
On 19 November 2022, under the lead of caretaker manager [[Firdaus Kassim]], Hougang United defeated defending champions, [[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]] 3–2 in the [[2022 Singapore Cup|2022 Singapore Cup final]] in which [[Kristijan Krajček]] scored a hat-trick to secured The Cheetahs their first ever silverware.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=David |date=19 November 2022 |title=Football: Hat-trick hero Krajcek hails late brother after helping Hougang beat Tampines in Singapore Cup final {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-krajcek-hat-trick-helps-hougang-beat-tampines-3-2-to-win-their-first-singapore-cup |access-date=19 November 2022 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
On 19 November 2022, under the lead of caretaker manager [[Firdaus Kassim]], Hougang United defeated defending champions, [[Tampines Rovers FC|Tampines Rovers]] 3–2 in the [[2022 Singapore Cup|2022 Singapore Cup final]] in which [[Kristijan Krajček]] scored a hat-trick to secure The Cheetahs their first ever silverware.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=David |date=19 November 2022 |title=Football: Hat-trick hero Krajcek hails late brother after helping Hougang beat Tampines in Singapore Cup final |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-krajcek-hat-trick-helps-hougang-beat-tampines-3-2-to-win-their-first-singapore-cup |access-date=19 November 2022 |newspaper=The Straits Times |language=en}}</ref>


The club also finished 5th in the [[Singapore Premier League]] in the same season which meant they failed to qualify for any continental competitions but due to their Singapore Cup win, they snatched an [[AFC Cup]] spot from fellow [[Singapore Premier League]] club, [[Geylang International FC|Geylang International]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hougang United are 2022 Singapore Cup champions! - Football Association of Singapore |url=https://spl.sg/hougang-united-2022-singapore-cup-champions |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=spl.sg |language=en}}</ref> Hougang United started off their [[2023–24 AFC Cup]] campaign with a trip to [[Kota Kinabalu]] facing [[Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)|Sabah]] on 21 September 2023 where they played their first fixtures in a heavy downpours which they suffered a 3–1 away lost however in the next match against [[Haiphong FC|Haiphong]] at the [[Jalan Besar Stadium]], Hougang United bounced back from 1–0 down as [[Đorđe Maksimović]] scored a brace in the last 10 minute in the game to settled for a 2–1 victory as the Cheetahs collected the 3 points. Hougang United went on to have a great run in the [[2023 Singapore Cup]] where they reach the final but were unable to retained their cup.
The club also finished 5th in the [[Singapore Premier League]] in the same season which meant they failed to qualify for any continental competitions but due to their Singapore Cup win, they snatched an [[AFC Cup]] spot from fellow [[Singapore Premier League]] club, [[Geylang International FC|Geylang International]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hougang United are 2022 Singapore Cup champions! - Football Association of Singapore |url=https://spl.sg/hougang-united-2022-singapore-cup-champions |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=spl.sg |language=en}}</ref> Hougang United started off their [[2023–24 AFC Cup]] campaign with a trip to [[Kota Kinabalu]] facing [[Sabah F.C. (Malaysia)|Sabah]] on 21 September 2023 where they played their first fixtures in a heavy downpours which they suffered a 3–1 away lost however in the next match against [[Haiphong FC|Haiphong]] at the [[Jalan Besar Stadium]], Hougang United bounced back from 1–0 down as [[Đorđe Maksimović]] scored a brace in the last 10 minute in the game to settled for a 2–1 victory as the Cheetahs collected the 3 points. Hougang United went on to have a great run in the [[2023 Singapore Cup]] where they reach the final but were unable to retaine their cup.


== Sponsors ==
== Sponsors ==
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|2020–2021 || {{flagicon|SIN}} [[Northstar Group]]
|2020–2021 || {{flagicon|SIN}} [[Northstar Group]]
|-
|-
|2022–2024 || {{flagicon|SIN}} The Physio Circle<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-hougang-united-aim-for-better-recovery-and-silverware-new-sponsors-the | title=Football: Hougang United aim for better recovery and silverware with new sponsors the Physio Circle &#124; the Straits Times | date=15 November 2021 }}</ref>
|2022–2024 || {{flagicon|SIN}} The Physio Circle<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-hougang-united-aim-for-better-recovery-and-silverware-new-sponsors-the | title=Football: Hougang United aim for better recovery and silverware with new sponsors the Physio Circle | newspaper=The Straits Times | date=15 November 2021 }}</ref>
|}
|}


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[[File:Hougang HOOLs tifo - Satu Hati, Satuu Hougang (One Heart, One Hougang).jpg|alt=|thumb|562x562px|Hougang HOOLs tifo - Satu Hati, Satu Hougang (One Heart, One Hougang)|center]]
[[File:Hougang HOOLs tifo - Satu Hati, Satuu Hougang (One Heart, One Hougang).jpg|alt=|thumb|562x562px|Hougang HOOLs tifo - Satu Hati, Satu Hougang (One Heart, One Hougang)|center]]


The club uniquely has an enthusiastic supporters' club known as the Hougang HOOLS (Hougang Only One Love), which was established in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=David |title=Football: Hools out for Hougang United, but Cheetahs lose despite loyal fans' backing {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-hools-out-for-hougang-united-but-cheetahs-lose-despite-loyal-fans-backing |website=www.straitstimes.com |access-date=19 November 2022 |language=en |date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
The club uniquely has an enthusiastic supporters' club known as the Hougang HOOLS (Hougang Only One Love), which was established in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=David |title=Football: Hools out for Hougang United, but Cheetahs lose despite loyal fans' backing |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-hools-out-for-hougang-united-but-cheetahs-lose-despite-loyal-fans-backing |newspaper=The Straits Times |access-date=19 November 2022 |language=en |date=15 March 2020}}</ref>


There is also a fan website representing the hougang support as a whole: https://www.hougangunitedfans.com/ The site features a blog, forum, players roster and a list of content creators who also bleed hougang.
There is also a fan website representing the hougang support as a whole: https://www.hougangunitedfans.com/ The site features a blog, forum, players roster and a list of content creators who also bleed hougang.
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===Current squad===
===Current squad===
{{updated|30 May 2024}}
{{updated|30 Jun 2024}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Anders Aplin]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Anders Aplin]]|other=}}
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{{Fs player|no=4|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Nazrul Nazari]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|Captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Nazrul Nazari]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|Captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Danish Irfan Azman|Danish Irfan]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Danish Irfan Azman|Danish Irfan]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=THA|pos=MF|name=[[Puttipat Kaewsawad]]|other=}}<sup>'''U21'''</sup>
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=THA|pos=MF|name=[[Puttipat Kaewsawad]]|other=}}<sup>'''FP U21'''</sup>
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=SIN|pos=FW|name=[[Hazzuwan Halim]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=SIN|pos=FW|name=[[Hazzuwan Halim]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Shahdan Sulaiman]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Shahdan Sulaiman]]|other=}}
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{{Fs player|no=11|nat=JPN|pos=MF|name=[[Shodai Yokoyama]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=JPN|pos=MF|name=[[Shodai Yokoyama]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Kenji Syed Rusydi]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Kenji Syed Rusydi]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=SER|pos=MF|name=[[Ismail Salihović]]|other=}}<sup>'''FP U21'''</sup>
{{fs mid}}
{{fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=SER|pos=DF|name=[[Ensar Brunčević]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=SER|pos=DF|name=[[Ensar Brunčević]]|other=}}
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{{Fs player|no=18|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Nikesh Singh Sidhu]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Nikesh Singh Sidhu]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Zaiful Nizam]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Zaiful Nizam]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=BIH|pos=DF|name=[[Faris Hasić]]|other=}}<sup>'''U21'''</sup>
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=BIH|pos=DF|name=[[Faris Hasić]]|other=}}<sup>'''FP U21'''</sup>
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Nazhiim Harman]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Nazhiim Harman]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=SIN|pos=FW|name=[[Gabriel Quak]]|other=}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=SIN|pos=FW|name=[[Gabriel Quak]]|other=}}
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===On loan===
===On loan===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=[[Sahffee Jubpre]]|other=}} (National Service until 2023)
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=DF|name=Sahffee Jubpre|other=}} (National Service until 2023)
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Farhan Zulkifli]]|other=}} (National Service until 2025)
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=MF|name=[[Farhan Zulkifli]]|other=}} (National Service until 2025)
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Aizil Yazid]]|other=}} (National Service until 2025, to [[Young Lions FC|Young Lions]])
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SIN|pos=GK|name=[[Aizil Yazid]]|other=}} (National Service until 2025, to [[Young Lions FC|Young Lions]])
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|-
|-
| General Manager
| General Manager
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Matthew Tay
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Peter Lim
⚫
|-
| Team Manager
|
|-
|-
| Head coach
| Head coach
| {{Flagicon|CRO}} [[Marko Kraljević (footballer)|Marko Kraljević]]
| {{Flagicon|CRO}} [[Marko Kraljević (footballer)|Marko Kraljević]]
⚫
|-
|Assistant coach
⚫
|{{Flagicon|NGA}} [[Robert Eziakor]]
|-
|-
| Fitness coach
| Fitness coach
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| Goalkeeper coach
| Goalkeeper coach
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} Scott Starr
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} Scott Starr
|-
| Head of Youth/U21 coach
⚫
| {{Flagicon|NGA}} [[Robert Eziakor]]
|-
|-
| Strength and Conditioning coach
| Strength and Conditioning coach
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| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Seishen Ratnagopal
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Seishen Ratnagopal
|-
|-
| Physiotherapist
| rowspan="3" | Physiotherapists
| {{Flagicon|UK}} Shoban Rahulapaskaran
| {{Flagicon|SGP}} Seishen Gerard
|-
|{{Flagicon|SIN}} Ain Hassan
|-
|{{Flagicon|SIN}} Daniel Tan
|-
|-
| Equipment Manager
| Equipment Manager
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|-
|-
| Equipment Officer
| Equipment Officer
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Wan Azlan Bin Wan Adanan
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Wan Azlan
|-
|-
| U-13 coach
| U-17 coach
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Hairil Amin
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} Hamid Raeiskarimi
|-
|-
| U-15 coach
| U-15 coach
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Firdaus Mohamed
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Firdaus Mohamed
|-
|-
| U-17 coach
| U-13 coach
| {{Flagicon|BRI}} Hamid Reza Raeiskarimi
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Hairil Amin
|-
| Women's Team coach
| {{Flagicon|SIN}} Sivaraj Geevananthan
|}
|}


==List of former managers==
==Managers==
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
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|[[Aide Iskandar]] ''(interim)''
|[[Aide Iskandar]] ''(interim)''
|align="center" | {{flagicon|Singapore}}
|align="center" | {{flagicon|Singapore}}
|align="center" | (25 June–31 December 2009)
|align="center" | (25 June–31 December 2009)
| rowspan="10" |
| rowspan="10" |
|-
|-
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== Records and statistics ==
== Records and statistics ==
As of 1 July 2024.
As of 13 August 2024.


=== Top 10 all-time appearances ===
=== Top 10 all-time appearances ===
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|{{flagicon|SIN}} '''[[Nazrul Nazari]]'''
|{{flagicon|SIN}} '''[[Nazrul Nazari]]'''
|2016–''present''
|2016–''present''
|'''183'''
|'''189'''
|-
|-
|2
|2
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{oweb|http://www.hgfc.com.sg/}}
* {{oweb|http://www.hgfc.com.sg/}}
* [http://www.sleague.com/clubs-profile/hougang/team-profile Team profile] on S.League official website
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120504194817/http://www.sleague.com/clubs-profile/hougang/team-profile Team profile]}} on S.League official website
* {{facebook|hougangunited}}
* {{facebook|hougangunited}}
* {{twitter|hougangunited}}
* {{twitter|hougangunited}}

Latest revision as of 18:19, 7 November 2024

Hougang United
Full nameHougang United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Cheetahs
Short nameHOU
Founded1998; 26 years ago (1998) as Marine Castle United
2011; 13 years ago (2011) as Hougang United
GroundHougang Stadium
Capacity3,800
10,000
ChairmanBill Ng
Head coachMarko Kraljević
LeagueSingapore Premier League
2023Singapore Premier League, 6th of 9
Websitehttp://www.hgfc.com.sg/
Current season

Hougang United Football Club is a professional football club based in Hougang, Singapore. The club competes in the Singapore Premier League, the top tier of Singaporean football. Founded in 1998 as Marine Castle United, the club changed its name to Hougang United in 2011. Nicknamed the Cheetahs, Hougang United has played its home games at Hougang Stadium since its formation.

Currently, the club are playing their home games at the Jalan Besar Stadium, as the Hougang Stadium is undergoing renovation.

History

[edit]

Foundation

[edit]

The club was founded as Marine Castle United Football Club, which was formed by Newcastle United fans in the Marine Parade area in 1998. Upon successful entry into the S.League in 1998, the club struggled in its early foray in the first few years, finishing in the bottom two for the next four seasons. The club's chairman was Dilwant Singh who became the club manager and head coach of the prime league team throughout his time at the club. Marine Castle then changed its name to Sengkang Marine Football Club in 2002 and the Dilwant was succeeded by David Rowe in which Dilwant became the assistant head coach. Sengkang Marine then goes on to finished in 8th position consecutively, its highest ever finish in its short history.

Merger with Paya Lebar-Punggol

[edit]

Financial difficulties then forced Sengkang Marine out of the S.League in 2004, and Paya Lebar-Punggol Football Club took its place in 2005, finishing the season as wooden-spoonist. The two clubs then merged their resources from 2006 to 2010 to form Sengkang Punggol Football Club, finishing no higher than 10th.

Permanently renaming the club's name as Hougang United (2011–present)

[edit]

On 1 January 2011, the chairman of Sengkang Punggol Football Club, Mr. Bill Ng, announced the changes that began the rewriting of another chapter of the football club. With improved financial status and a change in name to the present Hougang United Football Club, there was renewed optimism among the Hougang fan base around the club's home stadium since its inception, Hougang Stadium.[1] The club also had its fair share of marquee players in the earlier days such as Michael Currie, who formerly played for Queens Park Rangers). Conversely, Grant Holt began his early career at the club, before going on to play for upper division clubs in England, such as Nottingham Forest and Norwich City in the English Premier League.

In November 2014, it was announced that Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington will merge for the 2015 season.[2]

AFC Cup debut

[edit]

Hougang United make their AFC Cup debut in the 2020 AFC Cup but due to COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament got cancelled thus only winning one match against Laos side, Lao Toyota 1–3 at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane. The Cheetahs also qualified for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage where they play all their match in a centralised venue at the Thống Nhất Stadium in Vietnam which see Hougang United finishing 2nd out of 4th place winning 4–3 against Cambodian side, Phnom Penh Crown and defeating Laos side, Young Elephants 1–3 before suffering a heavy defeat to Vietnamese club, Viettel 5–2.

Hougang United players lifting the 2022 Singapore Cup trophy in its first ever piece of silverware in the club history.

First silverware

[edit]

On 19 November 2022, under the lead of caretaker manager Firdaus Kassim, Hougang United defeated defending champions, Tampines Rovers 3–2 in the 2022 Singapore Cup final in which Kristijan Krajček scored a hat-trick to secure The Cheetahs their first ever silverware.[3]

The club also finished 5th in the Singapore Premier League in the same season which meant they failed to qualify for any continental competitions but due to their Singapore Cup win, they snatched an AFC Cup spot from fellow Singapore Premier League club, Geylang International.[4] Hougang United started off their 2023–24 AFC Cup campaign with a trip to Kota Kinabalu facing Sabah on 21 September 2023 where they played their first fixtures in a heavy downpours which they suffered a 3–1 away lost however in the next match against Haiphong at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Hougang United bounced back from 1–0 down as Đorđe Maksimović scored a brace in the last 10 minute in the game to settled for a 2–1 victory as the Cheetahs collected the 3 points. Hougang United went on to have a great run in the 2023 Singapore Cup where they reach the final but were unable to retaine their cup.

Sponsors

[edit]
Period Kit manufacturer
2011 England Mitre
2012 Thailand Acono
2013 Singapore Waga
2014 Italy Macron
2015–2018 Singapore Vonda
2019–2021 Thailand Warrix
2022–2023 Thailand Ari
2024–present Spain Kelme
Season Main Sponsors
2015–2016 ESW Manage
2017–2020 ESW Manage
2020–2021 Singapore Northstar Group
2022–2024 Singapore The Physio Circle[5]

Ownership and finances

[edit]

Partnership

[edit]

On 22 November 2014, Hougang United announced a partnership with Global Football Academy for the 2015 S.League season.[6] On 16 November 2021, Hougang United announced the signing of main sponsorship with The Physio Circle for 3 years starting from 2022 to 2024.

On 19 October 2022, Hougang United announced the signing of sponsorship with Advance Capital Partners Pte Ltd for its women's team competing in the FAS Women's Premier League.

Scholarship

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The Hougang United Scholarship was launched in May 2015. The aim of the scholarship is to support and facilitate the academic development of young non-professional footballing talents.[7]

Stadium

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The Cheetahs home ground is based at the Hougang Stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 3,800 people. They have been the tenant at the stadium from 1998 until 2023 before moving out to the Jalan Besar Stadium temporary for the season due to renovating works. The club was once the sole club to play in a stadium in the north-eastern part of Singapore but since the implementation of VAR for the 2023 Singapore Premier League season, the club has been forced to move to the Jalan Besar Stadium as their new home stadium for the time being.[8]

Supporters

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Hougang HOOLs tifo - Satu Hati, Satu Hougang (One Heart, One Hougang)

The club uniquely has an enthusiastic supporters' club known as the Hougang HOOLS (Hougang Only One Love), which was established in 2010.[9]

There is also a fan website representing the hougang support as a whole: https://www.hougangunitedfans.com/ The site features a blog, forum, players roster and a list of content creators who also bleed hougang.

The hashtag #1H1H (Satu Hati Satu Hougang) or (One Heart One Hougang) was made popular by the supporters and had been featured on the 2023 Jersey.

Players

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Current squad

[edit]
As of 30 Jun 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
2 DF Singapore SGP Anders Aplin
3 DF Singapore SGP Jordan Vestering
4 DF Singapore SGP Nazrul Nazari (Captain)
5 DF Singapore SGP Danish Irfan
6 MF Thailand THA Puttipat Kaewsawad FP U21
7 FW Singapore SGP Hazzuwan Halim
8 MF Singapore SGP Shahdan Sulaiman
9 FW Croatia CRO Stjepan Plazonja
10 MF Croatia CRO Kristijan Krajček
11 MF Japan JPN Shodai Yokoyama
12 GK Singapore SGP Kenji Syed Rusydi
14 MF Serbia SRB Ismail Salihović FP U21
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF Serbia SRB Ensar Brunčević
16 MF Singapore SGP Ajay Robson U23
17 MF Singapore SGP Justin Hui
18 MF Singapore SGP Nikesh Singh Sidhu
19 GK Singapore SGP Zaiful Nizam
20 DF Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH Faris Hasić FP U21
21 DF Singapore SGP Nazhiim Harman
22 FW Singapore SGP Gabriel Quak
24 FW Singapore SGP Zamani Zamri U23
30 FW Montenegro MNE Dejan Račić
44 FW Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH Petar Banović

Under-21s and Academy

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
53 GK Singapore SGP Keith Chung U21
55 DF Singapore SGP Rauf Sanizal U21
56 MF Singapore SGP Louka Vaissierre-Tan U21
No. Pos. Nation Player
61 GK Singapore SGP Isaac Jonathan Lee U21
62 DF Singapore SGP Adam Reefdy U21
65 DF Singapore SGP Gabriel Goh U21

On loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF Singapore SGP Sahffee Jubpre (National Service until 2023)
— MF Singapore SGP Farhan Zulkifli (National Service until 2025)
— GK Singapore SGP Aizil Yazid (National Service until 2025, to Young Lions)

Technical staff

[edit]
Position Name
General Manager Singapore Peter Lim
Head coach Croatia Marko Kraljević
Assistant coach Nigeria Robert Eziakor
Fitness coach Singapore Rosman Sulaiman
Goalkeeper coach Australia Scott Starr
Strength and Conditioning coach Singapore Syaqir Sulaiman
Sports Trainer Singapore Thomas Pang
Singapore Seishen Ratnagopal
Physiotherapist Singapore Seishen Gerard
Equipment Manager Singapore Richard Lim
Equipment Officer Singapore Wan Azlan
U-17 coach England Hamid Raeiskarimi
U-15 coach Singapore Firdaus Mohamed
U-13 coach Singapore Hairil Amin

List of former managers

[edit]
Name Nat Period Silverware
As Marine Castle United
Alan Vest New Zealand (1 January–30 July 2001)
As Sengkang Marine
Trevor Morgan England (1 August 2001 – 30 July 2003)
Abdullah Noor England (1 August–31 December 2003)
As Paya Lebar Punggol
Chow Kwai Lam Malaysia (1 January–4 June 2005)
Qi Yubo China (12 June–31 December 2005)
As Sengkang Punggol
Trevor Morgan England (10 January 2006 – 19 September 2007)
Saswadimata Dasuki Singapore (20 September 2007 – 21 July 2008)
Mirko Grabovac (caretaker) Croatia (29 July–5 October 2008)
Swandi Ahmad (interim) Singapore (6 October–31 December 2008)
Jörg Steinebrunner Germany (1 January–24 June 2009)
As Hougang United
Aide Iskandar (interim) Singapore (25 June–31 December 2009)
Aide Iskandar Singapore (1 January 2010 – 31 December 2011)
Nenad Bacina Croatia (1 December 2011 – 30 November 2012)
Johana Bin Johari (interim) Singapore (30 November–31 December 2012)
Alex Weaver England (1 January–31 March 2013)
Johana Bin Johari (interim) Singapore (April 2013–August 2013)
Amin Nasir Singapore (21 August 2013 – 31 December 2014)
Salim Moin Singapore (1 January–30 October 2015)
K. Balagumaran Singapore (1 November 2015 – 30 November 2016)
Philippe Aw Singapore (January 2017–June 2018)
Clement Teo Singapore (June 2017–20 November 2022)
Firdaus Kassim Singapore (20 November 2022–17 April 2023) 2022 Singapore Cup
Marko Kraljević Croatia (17 April 2023–present) 2023 Singapore Cup runner-ups

Seasons

[edit]
Season Name Changed League Pos. P W D L GS GA Pts Singapore Cup League Cup AFC Champions League FIFA Club World Cup
1998 Marine Castle United S.League 11th 20 2 3 15 19 44 9 Group stage Not qualified
1999 12th 22 3 3 16 21 56 12 Round of 16
2000 11th 22 4 4 14 18 45 16 Round of 16
2001 11th 33 7 6 20 35 71 27 Group stage
2002 Sengkang Marine 8th 33 11 6 16 62 84 39 Semi-finals
2003 8th 33 7 8–1 17 32 66 38 Group stage
2004
2005 Paya Lebar Punggol S.League 10th 27 1 1 25 23 78 4 Preliminary Not qualified Not qualified
2006 Sengkang Punggol 11th 30 4 6 20 32 72 18 Quarter-finals
2007 11th 33 5 10 18 39 69 25 Quarter-finals Runners-up
2008 11th 33 3 10 20 13 54 19 Round of 16 Preliminary
2009 10th 30 5 6 19 26 58 21 Round of 16 Group stage
2010 11th 33 7 6 20 24 48 27 Round of 16 Semi-finals
2011 Hougang United 7th 33 15 3 15 55 63 43* Semi-finals Runners-up
2012 8th 24 7 8 9 31 33 29 Quarter-finals Quarter-finals
2013 10th 27 9 3 15 37 40 30 Quarter-finals Group stage
2014 7th 27 12 6 9 49 42 42 Preliminary Semi-finals
2015 10th 27 4 9 14 28 42 21 Preliminary Semi-finals
2016 6th 24 9 5 10 35 39 32 Preliminary Group stage
2017 6th 24 9 3 12 24 31 30 Semi-finals Group stage
2018 Singapore Premier League 9th 24 2 6 16 22 44 12 Quarter finals
2019 3rd 24 13 4 7 58  45 43 Group stage
2020 6th 14 4 3 7 19  24 15
2021 3rd 21 10 4 7 48  40 34
  • 2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one.
  • Sengkang Marine sat out the 2004 S.League season. They merged with Paya Lebar Punggol to form Sengkang Marine on their return to the S.League in 2006.
  • Hougang United deducted 5-point for a pre-match brawl with Etoile during the 2011 season.

Continental record

[edit]
Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2020 AFC Cup Group F Laos Lao Toyota Cancelled 3–1 3rd out of 4
Vietnam Hồ Chí Minh City 2–3 Cancelled
Myanmar Yangon United Cancelled 0–1
2022 Group I Cambodia Phnom Penh Crown 4–3 2nd out of 4
Laos Young Elephants 3–1
Vietnam Viettel 2–5
2023–24 Group H Malaysia Sabah 1–4 1–3 4th out of 4
Vietnam Hải Phòng 2–1 0–4
Indonesia PSM Makassar 1–3 1–3

Honours

[edit]

Cup

Records and statistics

[edit]

As of 13 August 2024.

Top 10 all-time appearances

[edit]
Rank Player Years Club appearances
1 Singapore Nazrul Nazari 2016–present 189
2 Singapore Lau Meng Meng 2009–2015 174
3 Singapore Nurhilmi Jasni 2012–2018 165
4 Singapore Faizal Amir 2010–2016 146
5 Singapore Fadhil Salim 2010–2014 142
6 Singapore Azhar Sairudin 2011–2014,

2017

138
7 Singapore Fairoz Hasan 2013–2017,

2023

137
8 Singapore Sobrie Mazelan 2008–2014 135
9 Singapore Fazli Jaffar 2011–2014,

2015

130
10 Guinea Mamadou Diallo 2008–2013 126

Top 10 all-time scorers

[edit]
Rank Player Club appearances Total goals
1 Croatia Stipe Plazibat 57 34
Canada Jordan Webb 88
3 Guinea Mamadou Diallo 126 28
4 Brazil Pedro Bortoluzo 30 23
Brazil Geison Moura 32
6 Brazil Diego Gama 63 22
7 Croatia Kristijan Krajček 56 21
Singapore Shawal Anuar 68
9 Japan Tomoyuki Doi 21 19
Singapore Nurhilmi Jasni 165
  • Biggest Wins: 7–3 vs Tampines Rovers (11 September 2021)
  • Heaviest Defeats: 8–2 vs Lion City Sailors (13 August 2023)
  • Youngest Goal scorers: Farhan Zulkifli ~ 16 years 7 months 19 days old (On 29 June 2019 vs Home United)
  • Oldest Goal scorers: Shahril Ishak ~ 38 years 6 months 28 days old (On 20 August 2022 vs Young Lions)
  • Youngest ever debutant: Farhan Zulkifli ~ 16 years 7 months 19 days old (On 29 June 2019 vs Home United)

Notable players

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Eight Singapore Premier League clubs to share stadiums, views divided over 'semi-permanent move'". Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ^ Ong, Terence (4 November 2014). "Jaguars to sit out next S-League season, Rams to merge with Hougang". Asia One Sports. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  3. ^ Lee, David (19 November 2022). "Football: Hat-trick hero Krajcek hails late brother after helping Hougang beat Tampines in Singapore Cup final". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Hougang United are 2022 Singapore Cup champions! - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Football: Hougang United aim for better recovery and silverware with new sponsors the Physio Circle". The Straits Times. 15 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Hougang United aim to do more for community". 9 February 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Hougang United F.C. Scholarship". hgfc.com.sg. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  8. ^ "VAR to be implemented for 2023 Singapore Premier League season - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  9. ^ Lee, David (15 March 2020). "Football: Hools out for Hougang United, but Cheetahs lose despite loyal fans' backing". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
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