Home Kit: | Away Kit: | ||
Club Name: | Tai Po Football Club | Founded: | 2002 |
Position in 2016/17: | 6th | Coach: | Lee Chi-kin |
Chairman: | Cheung Hok-ming | Home Ground: | Tai Po Sports Ground |
Despite the young age of the club, Tai Po FC have already established themselves as one of the most popular teams in Hong Kong, often drawing in a respectable crowd for their home games in the New Territories. Founded in 2002 as a district team, Tai Po quickly marched all the way from the 3rd Division to Hong Kong’s top flight. Traditionally clad in green, a colour shared only with Citizen among all (semi-) professional football teams, the club made history on June 6th, 2009 by being the first district team to win the FA Cup. Following this success, Tai Po also represented Hong Kong in the 2010 AFC Cup, but – with only two draws – they were eliminated in the group stages. Probably the biggest victory for the club, however, was when they won the final of the prestigious 2012/13 Senior Shield competition, allegedly the oldest knock-out tournament in Asia. Nevertheless, this couldn’t stop a steady decline as the team continued to suffer from limited financial resources. In 2015, Tai Po finished bottom of the newly established Hong Kong Premier League and were relegated – but it only took them one season to sweep the 1st Division and reclaim their spot in Hong Kong’s top-tier. They added another triumph to their list of honours last season, as they overcame Pegasus to win the Sapling Cup for the first time.
① A club who have had somewhat of a rollercoaster ride in recent seasons through relegation and loss of financial backing, they now find themselves as a mainstay of the top flight with one of the most passionate fan bases in the league.
② A classic underdog – they famously won the FA Cup against all the odds back in 2009, and participated in the AFC Cup the following season.
③ Those living in and around Tai Po will find the stadium easily accessible from Tai Wo MTR station.
Tickets cost $80 against the ‘Big 4’ and $60 against all other teams. Occasionally, replica jerseys can be purchased outside of the stadium.
Cost | VIP Membership: $1000; Standard Membership: $400; Student Membership: $100 | |||
Application | Apply at home games at Tai Po Sports Ground at the official Tai Po Football Club booth) | |||
Visit the club office here (office hours are Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 and Sat 10:00-13:00) | ||||
Benefits | VIP Membership: Free entry to all home and away games, free official home jersey (player edition) | |||
Standard and Student Membership: Free entry to all home games, can purchase two official jerseys for $200 each |
A young yet experienced local midfielder who has already received several call-ups to the national side, he joins the greens this season after a year-long stint at Pegasus. Those who have seen him in action will surely agree that he is one of the hottest prospects on the local scene, and with other exciting signings joining the club such as Yuto Nakamura and Lee Ka Yiu, he is sure to help fire Tai Po to success this term. (Photo courtesy of Tai Po FC)