Photo Gallery

September 08

History
Football is one of the most popular sections in the KCC with over 100 juniors and a similar number of adults taking part in the multitude of football matches and events over the course of a season. Social football has been played at KCC since the early 1970s although the section was not formally established until 1994. In that year the KCC entered a team in the Yau Yee League, Hong Kong's leading amateur football competition for the first time. The team worked its way up the divisions very quickly and after five short years did the double winning the Yau Yee League First Division Championship and Cup in 1999-2000. A second team, the KCC Dragons, was formed and entered Division 4 of the League in 2000, securing promotion to the First Division in 2005. In 2002 a Junior Football program was established. Teams of various age groups play in regular competitions as part of the Hong Kong Junior Football League. Kids from 3 years upwards participate in weekly training sessions and in 2008 over 20 girls became involved with the Junior Football program.

Adult Teams
The KCC Football section caters for footballers of all abilities. There are two teams - KCC and KCC Dragons - playing in the 1st Division of the highest standard amateur league in Hong Kong. In the 2007/08 season, KCC came a very credible 3rd whilst the Dragons overcame a slow start to finish 8th. Both teams have dedicated Managers responsible for training, selection and general administration. Both team Managers sit on the Football Sub-Committee.

If you prefer a less competitive environment, KCC also runs a 'social football team' - the Royals. The Royals have a full program of friendly games that runs right through the year. In the summer months there are games on the KCC grass normally scheduled on Sunday afternoons. Come the autumn matches switch to Kings Park on Monday nights. The Royals play against teams from all walks of life in Hong Kong including the HK Police, Correctional Services, HKFC's three social teams (Dynamics, Gazelles & Rovers), USRC, Sandy Bay Strollers, KCC Staff and many more. In addition to out and out Footballers, KCC members from other sporting sections, including cricket, squash, hockey, snooker and lawn bowls, also try their hand at the beautiful game. Anybody who wants to play gets a game, irrespective of ability. The Royals Manager sits on the Football Sub-Committee.

The KCC Football section has been invited to participate in the HKFC International Soccer 7s since it was first played in Y2000. Over the last few years, KCC has participated in the Masters side of the tournament (over 40's) and have had the privilege of playing against teams of ex-pros from Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Glasgow Rangers to name a few. Some of the younger KCC players have also participated in the Open side of the tournament, having been chosen after vigorous trials to play for the Yau Yee League Select.

Whilst KCC Football teams are funded and organized for the benefit of its members, there are opportunities for non-members to participate. The intention is for KCC and non-members to have an opportunity to 'assess each other'. If all goes well it hopefully leads to the non-members taking up one of the KCC membership options, with Sporting Subscriber being a popular choice.

Playing Season
The Yau Yee League and Junior Football competitions begin in September and run through to May. The KCC and KCC Dragons teams play their Yau Yee League matches on Sundays, whilst Junior Football tournaments are held on Saturday mornings. The Royals play mainly mid-week evening matches.

Venues
The Yau Yee League teams play most of their fixtures at the Kings Park Sports Ground in Ho Man Tin, though they play occasional fixtures 'away' at for example the Hong Kong Football Club and King George V School. Venues for Junior Football tournaments vary and include King's Park, the Hong Kong Football Club, Tai Tam, and for younger age groups the KCC. Other than games against the three HKFC teams which are played at Sports Road in Happy Valley, the Royals play most of their fixtures at Kings Park or at the KCC.

Training and Team Selection
Midweek evening training sessions for the KCC team takes place on Tuesday (at KCC) whilst the Dragons train on Thursday at the Kings Park. Social team footballers are also welcome to join these sessions. Junior footballers can join training sessions organized by external coaches at the club on weekday afternoons, as well as the training and practice sessions run by Football Section volunteers on Saturday mornings at the club. Selection to the various teams is made by the relevant team managers.

Social Events and Tours
The Football Section organizes regular social events, including 7-a-side tournaments, quiz nights and dinners. In May 2007, the Section hosted an 'Evening with John Barnes', and in May 2008, an 'Evening with Lawrie Sanchez and Garry Nelson'. Both events raised substantial sums for charities. In recent years, KCC teams have participated in tours to Bangkok and China. The club also regularly plays host to overseas teams.

A special relationship has been established with the Royal Bangkok Sports Club ('RBSC'). Each year there is an 11-a-side Interport game that alternates between Hong Kong and Bangkok. In addition, the KCC also sends 1 or 2 teams down to Bangkok in January each year to play in RBSC's annual 7-a-side competition.

Contacting the Football Section
The Football Section welcomes players of all ages and levels of ability to join us for training, matches and social events. Players wishing to try out for the KCC and KCC Dragons should contact the respective team managers, whilst potential Junior or Social players may contact the relevant Football Committee members. A full list of the subcommittee members is set out below.

An Evening with John Barnes May 2007

KCC 1998 Team Cup Winners March 2008

KCC v Chelsea HKFC International Soccer Sevens June 2000

KCC Treble Winners - 1999/2000

KCC's First Yau Yee League squad 1994

Committee


The Football Section Committee elected for the 2008-2009 Season is as follows:
Captain of Football & GC Representative - Jim Down
KCC Team Manager - Paul McGunnigle
Dragons Team Manager - Shyam Nainani
Junior Team Manager - Jim Down
Royals Social Team Manager - Jon McKinley
Events & Sponsorship Manager - Malcolm Leigh
Secretary - James Gough
Treasurer - Tony Smith

Permanent Trophies
Player of the Year - Presented by Mike Kennedy
94/95 Tony Slack
95/96 Matthew Wake
96/97 Andrew Laxton
97/98 Stephen Pomfret
98/99 Haytham Abbas
99/00 Philip Millward
00/01 Tony Smith
01/02 Philip Millward
02/03 Anton Xavier
03/04 Jonathan McKinley
04/05 Iain Clark
05/06 Jonathan McKinley
06/07 Marcel Sossnowski
07/08 James Stroud

The Mike Kennedy Trophy for The Most Improved Player
94/95 Michael Tung
95/96 Dominick Siddle
96/97 Justin Sandford
97/98 Jeremy Gill
98/99 Mike Shakespeare
99/00 Andrew Barnes
00/01 Dharam Mirpuri
01/02 Dwight Yang
02/03 Richard Goulden
03/04 Alan Mait
04/05 Boris Kam
05/06 Mathew Brectel
06/07 Humphrey Flowerdew
07/08 Richard Edge

The Nigel Sandford Chairman's Award
98/99 Mike Trayford
99/00 David Hadcroft
00/01 John DeBono
01/02 Jim Down
02/03 Shyam Nainani
03/04 Jim Down
04/05 Shyam Nainani
05/06 Antony Smith
06/07 Antony Smith
07/08 Malcolm Leigh

The Shyam Nainani Trophy for Dragon's Player of the Year
04/05 Dharam Mirpuri
05/06 Asghar Ali
06/07 Frankie Ferreira
07/08 Kevin Toong

The Dragon's Trophy for Leading Goal Scorer of theYear
06/07 Deepak Bellani
07/08 Hassan Del

The Trophy for Young Player of the Year
06/07 Mark Szeliga
07/08 Mark Szeliga

Junior Footabll Section Player of the Year
06/07 Toby Down
07/08 Toby Down

The Tony Smith Shield for KCC Royals' Player of the Year
07/08 Malcolm Leigh