Penang F.C. facts for kids
 |
||||
| Full name | Penang Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Harimau Kumbang (The Black Panthers) | |||
| Founded | 1920 (unofficial) 21 October 1921 as FAP 2020 as Penang FC |
|||
| Ground | City Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 20,000 | |||
| Owner | Penang Football Club Sdn Bhd | |||
| Chairman | Daniel Gooi | |||
| Head coach | Wan Rohaimi | |||
| League | Malaysia Super League | |||
| 2023 | Malaysia Super League, 10th of 14 | |||
|
||||
Penang Football Club, often called Penang FC, is a professional football team from George Town, Penang, Malaysia. They play in the Malaysia Super League, which is the top football league in Malaysia.
The club started unofficially in 1920 and officially became the Football Association of Penang on October 21, 1921. Penang FC represents the state of Penang in football games. Their home uniform is traditionally blue.
Penang FC has a big rivalry with Kedah. Their matches are known as the "Northern Region Derby" because both teams are from northern Malaysia. The team plays its home games at the City Stadium in George Town, which can hold 20,000 fans.
Penang FC was a very strong team in Malaysian football from the 1950s to the 1970s. They have won many titles, including 3 Malaysia Super League titles, 4 Malaysia Cup titles, and 1 Malaysia FA Cup title. In 1976, they became the first Malaysian club to win an Asian title, the Aga Khan Gold Cup, which was an early version of the AFC Champions League.
In 2017, a Penang FC player named Faiz Subri won the FIFA Puskás Award for scoring the best goal of the year. He was the first Asian player ever to win this international award for his amazing free kick goal in 2016.
Contents
- Club History: From Early Days to Now
- Team Players
- Club Management & Coaching Team
- Team Look: Crest and Colours
- Fan Support: The Ultras Panthers
- Rivalries and Friendships
- Team Gear: Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors
- Stadiums: Home and Training Grounds
- Team Records and Statistics
- Club Honours: Trophies and Awards
- Individual Player Honours
- Famous Former Players
- Club Ownership and Leadership
- Head Coaches Through the Years
- See also
Club History: From Early Days to Now
The Penang Football Club was unofficially started in 1920 and officially in 1921. This makes Penang one of the oldest football teams in Malaysia and even in Asia. The team has always been a strong competitor, producing many talented players. Penang is the fourth most successful team in Malaysian football history, with 16 championship titles.
Early Years: Starting the Journey (1920s – 1950s)
The club officially began on October 21, 1921. Many important matches were played at Victoria Green. Penang reached the final of the Malaysia Cup in 1934 but lost to Singapore FA. They also made it to the final just before World War II, losing to the same team. Football competitions stopped during the war.
Glory Days: Winning Big Titles (1950s – 1970s)
This was a golden age for Penang football, as they were one of the best teams in inter-state competitions. Many great players emerged, including Yeap Cheng Eng, who was Malaysia's first Olympian in football. Aziz Ahmad was a top scorer, helping Penang win the Malaysia Cup in 1953, 1954, and 1958. They also won the FAM Cup four times in a row from 1952 to 1957.
In 1963, Penang had a huge 13-0 win against Perlis in a Malaysia Cup game. Later, brothers Namat and Shaharuddin became key players. In 1974, Namat Abdullah led Penang to a 2-1 victory over Perak in the Malaysia Cup final. This was the state's last Malaysia Cup win. In 1976, Penang made history by winning the Aga Khan Gold Cup, an early version of the Asian Club Championship. They beat Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-0 in the final.
Tough Times: Challenges and Comebacks (1980s – 2015)
The Football Association of Malaysia started the Malaysia First Division League in 1982. Penang was one of the first teams and won the championship in its first year. However, after 1983, the team struggled and didn't win any major trophies for over 15 years.
In the late 1990s, Penang started to get strong again. They reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 1997. They won the Malaysia Super League in 1998 and were runners-up in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, Penang won the league again. They also won the FA Cup in 2002 and the Malaysia Charity Shield in 2003.
From 2003 to 2009, the team faced difficulties and financial problems. They finished lower in the league and struggled in cup competitions. In 2010, Penang was relegated from the top league after 18 years. The team continued to struggle, even being relegated to the third division in 2011.
However, Penang started to make a comeback. In 2013, under coach Merzagua Abderrazak, they won the FAM League and were promoted back to the Malaysia Premier League. In 2015, led by coach Jacksen F. Tiago, Penang finished second in the Premier League and earned a spot back in the top league.
Back in the Top League (2016 – Present)
After being promoted, Penang tried to stay in the Malaysia Super League. They managed to avoid relegation on the very last day of the 2016 season. In 2017, the team struggled again and was relegated back to the Malaysia Premier League.
Despite financial challenges and player salary issues, Penang worked hard to rebuild. In 2019, they climbed to second place in the Premier League, but a points deduction due to an old salary dispute kept them from being promoted. However, in 2020, even with the COVID-19 pandemic stopping sports, Penang remained unbeaten and won their first-ever Malaysia Premier League title, securing their promotion to the 2021 Malaysia Super League. In 2021, they finished third in the Super League.
Team Players
First-team Squad
|
|
Players on Loan
|
Under-23s Squad
|
|
Club Management & Coaching Team
Board of Directors
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman |  YB Daniel Gooi |
| General manager | Jeffrey Chew |
| Board members | Dato' Zakuan Zakaria Faidrol Radzi Muashraf Mohamed YB Dato' Zabidah Safar Datin Bharathi Suppiah YB Kumaresan Aramugam |
Management Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Team Manager | Noor Azrul Mansor |
| Assistant Team Manager |  Merzagua Abderrazak |
| Media Officer | Tun Mohammad Fadzrul Redza |
| Security Officer | Mogan Subramaniam |
| General Co-ordinator | Shamsul Mohd Nor |
Coaching Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Technical director | Merzagua Abderrazak |
| Head coach | Wan Rohaimi |
| Assistant coach | Mat Saiful Mohd |
| Goalkeeping coach | Mohd Hisham Jainudin |
| Fitness coach | Rozy Abdul Majid |
| Team doctor | Dr. Hardeep Singh Jaginder Singh Dato' Dr. Parmjit Singh Kuldip Singh |
| Physiotherapist | Ridhwan Noor Akmal |
| Team analyst | Anwar Azahari |
| Masseur | Megat Loutfie |
| Kitman | Sufie Noorazizan |
Team Look: Crest and Colours
Since 1921, Penang FC has had two main club crests (logos). The first logo featured navy blue and white colors. It had the letters 'F' and 'A' for 'Football Association', a classic leather football, and the Prince of Wales's feathers with its motto 'Ich Dien' (meaning 'I serve'). The name 'Penang' was also clearly written.
In the early 1990s, the logo was updated to look more modern. The 'F' and 'A' became 3D, and the football changed to a more modern design. The Prince of Wales's feathers were also updated, and the motto was removed.
Team Colours
Penang's home colours are traditionally sky blue and yellow. These colours come from the Penang state flag, where blue stands for the sea around the island and yellow for peace. Sometimes, navy blue and yellow have also been used. For away games, the team usually wears yellow or white, but they have also used green, pink, and orange.
The current home jersey is a lighter blue, matching the state flag. The away jersey is white, and the third jersey is black with yellow stripes.
Fan Support: The Ultras Panthers
Penang FC has a strong fanbase from all over George Town and nearby areas. The most dedicated supporters are called the Ultras Panthers, also known as Green Terrace Comrades UP11. This group started in 2011. At every match, they stand together in the supporters' area, wearing blue with blue-yellow scarves and holding banners. They bring drums and large, colorful flags to cheer on the team.
The Penang Football Fans Club (PFFC) was created in 2017 to bring together football fans in Penang and connect them with the team. Many other fan clubs also exist, like Demi Pulau Pinang and Haria Penang 69. In 2016, Penang had an average of 7,301 fans at each game, and sometimes even tourists came to watch!
Penang fans have special chants like "Haria Penang Haria" and "Sehati Sejiwa" (meaning "One Heart, One Soul"). They also sing the state anthem, "Untuk Negeri Kita" ("For our state"), to encourage their players. A popular tradition is throwing toilet rolls onto the pitch before a match starts. "Haria Penang Haria" is a well-known slogan that shows the spirit of the fans.
Rivalries and Friendships
Kedah Darul Aman is Penang's biggest rival. Fans also see Perak and Perlis as rivals. Matches against these northern teams are always exciting.
Northern Region Derby
The "Northern Region Derby" is the name for football matches between Penang and Kedah. Both teams are from the northern part of Malaysia. The City Stadium and Darul Aman Stadium are always full of fans during these derby games. The matches are known for their lively atmosphere and many banners.
Team Friendships
Even though Penang has strong rivalries, especially with Kedah, there is also a good friendship among fans from the northern region. The slogan "This is the northern region" shows the good relationships between fans of Penang, Perak, and Perlis.
Team Gear: Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors
| Season | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Umbro | Pensonic |
| 2001–2003 | Toray Pen-Group | |
| 2004–2005 | ||
| 2006–2007 | Lotto | E&O |
| 2008–2009 | Specs | Telekom Malaysia |
| 2010 | Joma | |
| 2011 | Eutag | |
| 2012 | Joma | Allianz University College of Medical Science |
| 2013 | Media Hiburan | |
| 2014–2015 | Umbro | Aspen Group |
| 2016 | Penang Water Supply Corporation | |
| 2017 | Legea | myPenang |
| 2018 | Puma | Penang State Government |
| 2019–2020 | Stallion | |
| 2021–2022 | Puma | Penang 2030 |
| 2023–2024 | Kaki Jersi |
Stadiums: Home and Training Grounds
Home Ground
Before the City Stadium was built in the 1950s, most big matches were played at Victoria Green. The City Stadium was built in 1948 for sports, especially football. It can hold 20,000 people and is known for its loud home crowd, called the "Keramat Roar." In 2019, the team returned to playing at the City Stadium.
The Penang State Stadium in Batu Kawan was also a home ground for the club from 2000 to 2011 and again from 2016 to 2017. It was built in 2000 for the Malaysian Games and can hold 40,000 people.
Training Ground
The Jawi Public Field in South Seberang Perai District, Penang, is the current training ground for Penang FC.
Before, the team trained at the USM Sports Centre at the University of Science, Malaysia. This complex has several grass pitches and is also the home ground for the reserve team. Sometimes, Penang also trains at the Penang Sports Club in George Town.
Team Records and Statistics
Penang is the fifth most successful football club in Malaysia, with 15 national titles. They were the first team to win the Malaysia League in 1982 and the FAM Cup in 1952.
The club's highest league finish was first place in the Super League in 1982, 1998, and 2001. Their lowest was sixth place in the 2012 Malaysia FAM League.
Penang's biggest win in a Malaysia Cup final was 3-0 against Singapore FA in 1954. Their heaviest loss in a Malaysia Cup final was 1-8 against Selangor FA in 1968.
Player Records
Shukor Salleh played for Penang FC for 20 years, his entire career. He won the National Sportsman Award in 1977 and was recognized by the AFC and FIFA for playing over 100 international games for Malaysia.
Lutz Pfannenstiel holds a unique record: he is the only footballer to have played professionally in all six of FIFA's recognized continents.
In 2017, Mohd Faiz Subri became the first Asian to win the FIFA Puskás Award for his amazing free kick goal against Pahang FA in 2016.
On August 3, 2021, Rafael Vitor scored the fastest goal in the Malaysia Super League, just 9 seconds into the game against Perak FC.
Top Scorers (Since Professional Era)
Players who scored 10 or more goals are listed.
| Season | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 |  John Hunter |
10 |
| 1999 | Azman Adnan |
13 |
| 2002 |  Gustavo Romero |
14 |
| 2003 | Gustavo Romero |
11 |
| 2004 |  Vyacheslav Melnikov |
16 |
| 2005 |  José Ramirez Barreto |
15 |
| 2013 | Norizam Salaman |
12 |
| 2014 |  Lee Gil-hoon |
17 |
| 2015 | Mohd Faiz Subri |
10 |
| 2019 | Julián Bottaro |
10 |
| 2020 | Casagrande |
10 |
| 2021 | Casagrande |
12 |
Club Honours: Trophies and Awards
Domestic Titles
| Title | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysian League / Malaysia Super League (3) | *1982, 1998, 2001 | *1983, 1999, 2000 (3) |
| Malaysia Premier League (1) | 2020 | 1992, 2015 (2) |
| Malaysia FAM Cup / Malaysia FAM League (5) | *1952, 1955, 1956, 1957, 2013 | 1961, 1962, 1968 (3) |
| Malaysia Cup (4) | 1953, 1954, 1958, 1974 | 1934, 1941, 1950, 1952, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1977 (9) |
| Malaysia FA Cup (1) | 2002 | 1997, 2000 (2) |
| Malaysia Charity Shield (1) | 2003 |
| Title | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| **Malaysia President Cup (1) | 2004 | 2015 (1) |
| Title | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| ***Piala Emas Raja-Raja (9) | 1951, 1956, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2017 | 1947, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965,
1971, 1975, 1983, 1993, 2001, 2008 (13) |
| Title | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| ***Piala Agong (3) | 1998, 1999, 2000 | 1983, 2001 (2) |
(*inaugural winners) (**Penang FA Reserves) (***Persatuan Bolasepak Melayu Pulau Pinang (PBMPP))
Asian Titles
| Title | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Aga Khan Gold Cup (1) | 1976 |
Individual Player Honours
| Player | Honour | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Shukor Salleh |
National Sportsman of the Year
AFC Century Club FIFA Century Club |
1977
1999 2021 |
| Merzagua Abderrazak |
Malaysia National Football Award Best Import Player | 1996 |
| Azman Adnan |
Malaysia Premier League 1 Golden Boot | 1999 |
| Norizam Salaman |
Malaysia FAM League Top Goalscorer | 2013 |
| Mohd Faiz Subri |
FIFA Puskás Award FAM Special Award |
2016 2016 |
| Casagrande |
Malaysia Premier League Golden Boot | 2020 |
Famous Former Players
This list includes important players who played for Penang FC. They might have played for their country, made big contributions to the team, or were famous in football before or after playing for Penang.
Yeap Cheng Eng- Aziz Ahmad
- Dave MacLaren
- Namat Abdullah
- Shaharuddin Abdullah
- Mohammed Bakar
- Shukor Salleh
- Ali Bakar
- Isa Bakar
- Desmond David
- Ahmad Yusof
Lutz Pfannenstiel- Azman Adnan
- Wan Rohaimi
- Mohd Hasmawi Hassan
- Chee Wan Hoe
- Merzagua Abderrazak
- Kamarulzaman Hassan
- Ooi Hoe Guan
- Norizam Salaman
- Faiz Subri
- Yong Kuong Yong
- Mafry Balang
- R. Surendran
- M.Yoges
- Azmi Muslim
- Syukur Saidin
- Bobby Gonzales
Club Ownership and Leadership
The Penang Chief Minister Incorporated owns Penang FC. This is a government-linked company, and its chairman is Soon Lip Chee, who is also the Penang State Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports. Before the Malaysian League became private, the Football Association of Penang (FAP) owned the club. FAP also managed the state's local leagues.
In the past, FAP faced financial problems, including delays in paying players' salaries. These issues sometimes affected the team's performance.
Head Coaches Through the Years
Head Coaches Since the Semi-Pro Era
| Years | Name | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1975–1980 | Lim Boon Kheng |
1976 Aga Khan Gold Cup champions |
| 1986–1990 | M. Kuppan |
1974 Malaysia Cup champions |
| 1991–1993 |  Blagoje Bratić |
1992 Division 2 runner-up |
| 1995–1996 | Mohd Bakar |
|
| 1997–1999 | Moey Yoke Ham |
1997 FA Cup runner-up 1998 Division 1 champions 1999 Division 1 runner-up |
| 2000–2003 | Irfan Bakti Abu Salim |
2000 FA Cup runner-up 2000 Division 1 runner up 2001 Division 1 champions 2002 FA Cup champions 2003 Charity Shield champions |
| 2003–2004 | Yunus Alif |
|
| 2005 | Norizan Bakar |
|
| 2006–2007 |  Joseph Herel |
|
| 2008 | Mohd Bakar |
|
| 2008–2009 | S. Veloo |
|
| 2010 | Mohd Bakar Shukor Salleh Reduan Abdullah |
|
| 2011 | Robert Scully
|
|
| January 2012 – November 2012 |  Jánós Krécská |
|
| December 2012 – November 2013 | Merzagua Abderrazak |
2013 FAM League champions |
| November 2013 – November 2014 | K. Devan |
|
| November 2014 – April 2016 | Jacksen F. Tiago |
2015 Premier League runner-up |
| April 2016 – May 2016 | Manzoor Azwira (caretaker) |
|
| May 2016 – November 2016 |  Nenad Baćina |
|
| December 2016 – March 2017 |  Ashley Westwood |
|
| March 2017 | Darren Read (caretaker) |
|
| March 2017 – October 2018 | Zainal Abidin Hassan |
|
| October 2018 – March 2019 | Ahmad Yusof |
|
| March 2019 | Kamal Kalid (caretaker) |
|
| April 2019 – December 2020 | Manzoor Azwira |
2020 Malaysia Premier League champions |
| December 2020 – April 2022 |  Tomáš Trucha |
|
| May 2022 | Manzoor Azwira (caretaker) |
|
| June 2022 - October 2022 | Zainal Abidin Hassan |
|
| October 2022 - March 2023 | Chong Yee fat |
|
| March 2023 - Nov 2023 | Manzoor Azwira (caretaker) |
|
| Nov 2023 - Nov 2024 | Akmal Rizal |
|
| Nov 2024 - | Wan Rohaimi |
See also
In Spanish: Penang Football Association para niños
