Home Kit: | Away Kit: | ||
Club Name: | Southern Football Club | Founded: | 2002 |
Position in 2016/17: | 3rd | Coach: | Cheng Siu-chung |
Chairman: | Chan Man-chun | Home Ground: | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
Though only established in 2002, the club have had a fairly successful 14 years in the Hong Kong football league system. After entering into the third division and spending 8 years there, they finally attained promotion to the second division where they achieved a solid 4th place finish the following season. As they finished as runners up of the league in 2011, they were promoted for the first time to the top flight where they again impressed by qualifying for the AFC Cup playoffs after finishing 4th, though they eventually lost out to Kitchee. Though the inaugural Premier League season began the year after, the club declined to participate citing financial difficulties, and they competed in the new first division for the 2014-15 campaign. They attained a creditable 3rd place finish, but as Sun Source FC and Hong Kong FC both declined promotion, this paved the way for them to return to the top tier for the 2015/16 season, where they finished in 4th position and narrowly lost to Kitchee in the AFC Cup qualifying playoffs. In the 2016/17, they achieved their highest domestic position to date, finishing 3rd – ahead of league heavyweights South China. With continued backing from their sponsors Kwoon Chung and with some astute signings, the club look set to have another successful term.
① The Aberdeeners had a hugely successful previous season, finishing 3rd in the league and making it to the season playoff finals where they lost to Eastern. They are an extremely ambitious club and it is certainly not out of the question for them to be challenging for titles this season.
② Representing the southern half of Hong Kong Island, they compete in the ‘Hong Kong Island derby’ against Pegasus who are based at Hong Kong Stadium.
③ With their own official fan club, ultras group and a hugely passionate fanbase, potential supporters can expect a warm and friendly atmosphere at both home and away matches.
Tickets to games costs $80. Merchandise, including replica jerseys, can also occasionally be purchased at the fan club corner just outside the entrance, or at World Soccer in Mong Kok.
Cost | Standard membership costs $100. | |||
Application | Apply at home games (easily identifiable Eastern fan club booth) | |||
Benefits | Free fan t-shirt. | |||
Season ticket can be bought at special rate of $300 (non-members $500). | ||||
Official jersey can be bought at special rate of $399 (non-members $499). | ||||
Official fan t-shirt cof an be bought at special rate of $100. | ||||
Discounts on products and services from listed merchants. | ||||
Priority for fan events. |
Perhaps Southern’s stand out performer of 2015, this half-English Hong Konger had an incredible season with the Aberdeeners last year that somehow still was not enough to earn a full call-up to the Hong Kong national team. After a surprising 4th place finish, it might not be too much of a shock to see his club mixing with the ‘big 4’ at the top again if he can maintain his excellent form. (Photo courtesy of HKFA)