Melaka United F.C.
 | ||||
| Full name | Melaka United Football Club[1] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Hang Tuah[1] | |||
| Short name | MUFC[1] | |||
| Founded | 1924 as Malacca A.F.A. | |||
| Ground | Hang Jebat Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 40,000 | |||
| President | Idris Haron | |||
| Manager | Mohd Yusoff Hj. Mahadi | |||
| Coach | Eric Williams | |||
| League | Malaysia Premier League | |||
| 2016 | Malaysia Premier League, 1st (Promoted) | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
|
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Melaka United Football Club is a professional football club based in Malacca City that competes in Malaysia Premier League. Founded in 1924, the club's home ground since then has been Hang Tuah Stadium before moving to Hang Jebat Stadium in Paya Rumput. The club represents the state of Malacca in Malaysian football competitions. They currently play in the second division in Malaysian football, the Malaysia Premier League after been promoted as champion from 2015 Malaysia FAM League.[2][3]
The club was formerly named simply as Malacca or fully as Malacca Amateur FA and then Malacca FA before being rebranded in August 2013 as Melaka United which will be used for 2014 season onwards.[4][5] In November 2016, the club has been fully restructured and rebranded again as Melaka United Football Club for 2017 Malaysia Super League season onwards.[1][6]
The club's current nickname is Hang Tuah, the name being synonymous with strength and intelligence.[1][6]
Melaka United's regular kit colours are green and white for shirts, shorts and socks. The club's current crest has been used since March 2014 which based from older crest with slight modern changes in design and wording.
History
Origins
Football has been played in Malaya for a long years. Malacca has sent a football team to play in Malaya Cup since its inaugural season in 1921.[7] In 1924, the team has been registered and now managed by the newly formed governance body of Malacca football, the Malacca Amateur Football Association (MAFA).[8] Since then, the football team has been competing in Malaya Cup consistently.
The era of amateur football league
In 1979, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) changed the format of Malaysia Cup when they introduced the league stage that acts as the qualifying round for the knockout stage of Malaysia Cup. [9][10] When it began, it was intended primarily as a qualifying tournament for the final knock-out stages of the Malaysia Cup where teams compete in a one-round league before advanced to the knock-out stage.[9]
The football league in Malaysia has only officially started in 1982 after the introduction of league trophy for the league winners, which the league has been known as Malaysian League.[11][12] Malacca football team continue to compete in the league and has become the champion of the league during its second season in 1983 which has been the only time the Malacca team become a champion of the top-tier league in Malaysian football.
The era of semi-pro football league
Over the years, the league competition has gained important stature in its own right. From 1982 until 1988 the league is an amateur status continue its purpose as qualifying round for Malaysia Cup and only in 1989 it is changes to a new format as Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League (MSPFL) was introduced by FAM as a 'halfway house' towards full professional status. The inaugural season of MSPFL consisted of nine teams in Division I and eight teams in Division II with total of 17 teams participated.[13] Malacca has been put in Division II for 1989 season. Malacca compete in 1992 season in Division II.
Era of professional football
MSPFL was the nation's top-tier league until it was succeeded by the formation of Malaysian first professional football league, the Malaysia Premier League (1994–97) in 1994 by Football Association of Malaysia. In its inaugural season 16 teams competing in a single league. The teams were based from all states in Malaysia including Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and addition of two foreign teams, Singapore and Brunei.[14]
In 1998, Malaysia Premier League was divided into two divisions consist of Malaysia Premier League 1 and Malaysia Premier League 2 (Liga Perdana 1 and Liga Perdana 2 in Malay).[15][16] During 1998, Malaysia Premier League 1 consist of 12 teams while Malaysia Premier League 2 had 8 teams.[15] Malacca competes in Malaysia Premier League 2 from 1998 until 2000 before achieving promotion to Malaysia Premier League 1 for 2001 season.[17]
At this time the league still consist of semi-pro team where each team was allowed to register 25 players where 12 players must be a professional for Malaysia Premier League 1 and a minimum of six professional players in Malaysia Premier League 2.[15]
Malacca competes in Malaysia Premier League 1 from 2001 until 2003.[18][19] Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) decided to privatise the league for 2004 season onwards where Malaysia Super League was formed.
Teams in Malaysia Premier League 1 and Malaysia Premier League 2 was then was put through a qualification and playoff to be promoted into Malaysia Super League. Malacca failed to qualify and was put into now a new second-tier league Malaysia Premier League for the 2004 season.[20]
Playing in Malaysia Premier League
The club has been in an up and down performance in Malaysia Premier League since the league inception in 2004 where they played for three season and was promoted to top-tier league, Malaysia Super League.[21][22][23]
Brief year in Malaysia Super League
After a successful season in second division, the club has been promoted to the top-tier division, the Malaysia Super League for 2017 season.[24] The club has splurged a big budget to buy players while removing majority of players and officials of previous winning season in order to create a more competitive team in the league during its first season in top league after a long years in lower division. However, the club has not been performing as expected as it has been relegated in their first season.
Back to second division
A slump in performance has cause the club struggling and fighting for relegation in their three years season of Malaysia Premier League from 2008 until 2010 season before the dark era as the club has been relegated to the third-tier league, the Malaysia FAM League for 2011 season.[25][26][27]
Years of struggle in Malaysia FAM League
The club has been relegated from 2010 Malaysia Premier League to the Malaysia FAM League becasue of poor performance despite being one of the bigger clubs within it.[28] In 2012, the club management has concluded as some of the factor that causing the club a chances to be promoted was the poaching of its players by bigger club in higher division and the struggle to attract bigger status players to the club as they were playing in lower division.[29] The club continue to compete and has been a consistent team in third-tier league, Malaysia FAM League for five straight season.[30][31][32][33][34]
A comeback from lower league
The club make a comeback to second-tier league, Malaysia Premier League in 2016 after been promoted as champion of 2015 Malaysia FAM League. Before winning the FAM League, the club has experienced a 32-year trophy drought, where the last time Melaka United won the Malaysian top-tier league was in 1983 where they won the Malaysian League which was the league stage that served as the qualifying round for the Malaysian Cup.[35] During that time, national footballer Soh Chin Aun was playing for Malacca[36][37]
In November 2016, the club has been rebranded to be fully privatise as Melaka United Football Club as one of the effort to be fully accountable and as a preparation to play in top-tier league, the Malaysia Super League in 2017 season.[1][38][6] In 14 November 2016, Melaka United has announced the appointment of Eric Williams to replace Mat Zan Mat Aris as the new head coach for the club.[39] Eric Williams has previously managed the Myanmar giant, Yangon United F.C. in 2014 season.[39] The club has also only retained ten players from previous season and has recruited nine new players.[40][41]
Stadium
 Hang Jebat Stadium during a Melaka United football matches. | |
| Location | Krubong, Melaka, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 2°17′21″N 102°13′59″E / 2.28908°N 102.233094°E |
| Owner |
Perbadanan Stadium Melaka (Malacca Stadium Corporation) |
| Operator | Melaka Football Association |
| Capacity | 40,000 |
| Field size | 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) |
| Surface |
Grass pitch Track |
| Opened | 2004 |
| Tenants | |
|
Melaka United (2005–present) Sukma Games (2010) Harimau Muda B (2015) | |
Melaka United are currently based at Hang Jebat Stadium in Krubong, Melaka. The capacity of the stadium is 40,000. In addition to the football field, the stadium also consists of a running track.
Crest and colours
Crest
Melaka United has historically utilised one primary crest before the introduction of football league in Malaysia. The first, adopted when the club was founded, was the image of A Famosa which is a historical remains from colonial age in Malacca. It was used during the club's amateur era and remained for more than half-century.
Since the introduction of football league, the club has evolved from amateur years and has adopted a new crest which features an image of Malacca tree, where the city was named after.
Since the end of 2013 season, the club has undergoes a management changes and rebranding to Melaka United where a new crest was introduced which was a slight modern design changes from the old crest. In 2015, an image of new crest was leak which has received with negative reaction among fans which the club has decided to stick with use of the old crest.
-
1924-1988 crest
-
1989-2013 crest
-
2014–present crest
Colours
Melaka United have always worn green and white shirts as their home kit as it is an iconic colour for the club and it is different from majority of other teams in the league.
Melaka United's away colours are usually all white with green trim or various combination colours of blue, red, yellow and white as it represent the colour of Malacca's Flag.
Supporters
Ultras Taming Sari (UTS) is one of group of supporters of football in Malaysia and Malacca mainly known for their support for Melaka United.[42] Founded in 11 January 2011 and currently being led by Lekir Hj. Ahmad. The group was one of many Ultras supporters group created under the branches of Ultras Malaya which was founded after the poor performance of national team in international football scene.[42] It main purpose is to bring back the glory of football supports among Malaysian football fans. These group supporters always bring drums and large colourful flags to the stadiums alongside of chanting in the stadium in order to bring up the spirit of the players and other supporters during matches.
Melaka United are one of the most widely supported football clubs in Malacca. Melaka United's traditional fanbase comes from all over Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin area. There are also numerous supporters clubs mainly in Malacca and also Malaysia.
Ownership and finances
The club were founded in 1924 and owned by Melaka United Soccer Association with the financial backing by the state government and sponsors.
Sponsorship
Melaka United's kit has been manufactured by Kronos since 2014, which is contracted to supply the club's kit from 2014 to 2015. The partnership was extended from for another 2 years to 2017.
Melaka United's current main shirt sponsor is Edra as shirt sponsor 1 and Mamee as shirt sponsor 2. Edra Global Energy Bhd has sponsored the team for RM 5 Million for 2016 season.[43] The club has a variety of other sponsors and official partners such as Kronos, Tag Marine, Restoran Melayu Melaka, Hatten Hotel for 2016 season.[44] For 2017 season, Melaka United has retained the sponsorship of Mamee as main shirt sponsor.[45]
| Season | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1981–1985 | Schwarzenbach | None |
| 1986 | Topper | |
| 1987 | CW | |
| 1988 | Diadora | |
| 1989 | Asics | Dunhill / EON |
| 1990 | Lotto | |
| 1991–1992 | Cheetah | |
| 1993 | ClubMan | |
| 1994–1997 | Mizuno | Dunhill |
| 1998 | Dunhill / Gibca Holdings | |
| 1999–2000 | J-King | Dunhill |
| 2001 | Mikasa | |
| 2002–2003 | Kronos | |
| 2004 | Admiral | |
| 2005 | Kronos | TM Net |
| 2005/06 | Lotto | TM Net / Creative |
| 2006/07 | Figos / Joma | TM / Cubic |
| 2007/08 | Ambros | Celcom / Metaforce |
| 2009 | Kika | Streamyx |
| 2010 | Shemsy | TM |
| 2011 | Kappa | Interpacific |
| 2012 | Ambros | Ambros / Metaforce |
| 2013 | Arora | None |
| 2014 | Kronos | Mamee / KAJ |
| 2015 | Mamee | |
| 2016 | Edra / Mamee | |
| 2017 | Mamee |
Players
First-team squad
- As of 29 July 2016
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers
President and youth
Head coaches
| Coach | Years | Honours |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Bilic | 1992 | |
| Mahathir Taha | 1997 | |
| Mohd Shah Alias Norbit | 1998 | |
| G. Torairaju | 1999 | |
| Remeli Junit | 2000–01 | |
| Ong Kim Swee | 2005 | |
| E. Elavarasan | 2005–06 | Runner up 2005-06 Premier League Malaysia |
| K. Devan | 2007 | |
| Ramli Junit | 2007–08 | |
| Mohd Nick Sham Abdullah | 2008–09 | |
| Abdul Rahim Abdullah | 2009–10 | |
| Mahathir Taha | 2010 | |
| Manja Man | 2011 | |
| G. Selvamohan | 2012 | |
| Mohd Asri Ninggal | Jan 2013–April 2013 | |
| Hashim Abdullah | April 2013 | |
| Ladislav Totkovič | Nov 2013–Apr 2014 | |
| Mat Zan Mat Aris | Sept 2014–Oct 2016 | Winner 2015 Malaysia FAM League Winner 2016 Malaysia Premier League |
| Eric Williams[39] | November 2016–present |
Team managers
| Year | Manager |
|---|---|
| 1999-02 | Datuk Ibrahim Durum |
| 2005 | Datuk Chua Peng Song |
| 2006–08 | Karim Yaacob |
| 2008– | Mohd Yazid Khamis |
| 2009–2010 | Abdul Malik Kassim |
| 2011–2013 | Datuk Mohd Yunos Husin |
| April 2013– November 2013 | Datuk Wira Idris Haron |
| November 2013 – present | Datuk Mohd Yusoff Bin Hj Mahadi |
Management team
As of 1 February 2016[46]
Club personnel
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Patron |  Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Khalil Yaakob |
| President | Datuk Seri Ir. Idris Haron |
| General Manager | Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Hj Mahadi |
| Assistant Manager | Mohd Nor Derus |
| Head Coach |  Eric Williams[39] |
| Assistant Coach | Norizam Ali Hassan |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Mazlan Abdul Wahed |
| Fitness Coach | Junaidi Abdul Latip |
| Physio | Muhd Rozairen Hairudin |
| U21 Manager | Khairi Anuar Ahmad |
| U21 Assistant Manager | Tan Ching Yang |
| U21 Head Coach | G. Torairaju |
| U21 Assistant Coach | Sapian Abdul Wahed |
| U21 Fitness Coach | Mirsad Amri Mohd Sim |
| U21 Goalkeeper Coach | S. Rosli Hashim |
| U21 Physio | Ahmad Faisal Miswan |
| U19 Manager | Shamsuddin Hassan |
| U19 Head Coach | G. Selvamohan |
| U19 Assistant Coach | Rashid Mahmud |
| U19 Coach | Mohd Fauzzi Kassim |
| U19 Goalkeeper Coach | Azni Ariffin |
| U19 Fitness Coach | Mohd Fauzi Mohtar |
| U19 Physio | Zainal Jalil |
Honours
Domestic competitions
- Winners (1): 1983
- Winners (1): 2015
- Runners-up (2): 1957, 1958
- Winners: -
- Winners: -
- Winners: -
Asian competitions
- Appearances: 1985
Performance in AFC competitions
- Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League: 1 appearance
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Asian Club Championship | Qualifying Round |  Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian |
2—0 (Loss) | 4th place | |
 ADP FC |
1–0 (Win) | |||||
 Bangkok Bank F.C. |
5—1 (Loss) | |||||
 Tiong Bahru CSC |
0—0 (Draw) | |||||
Club record
Updated on 22 October 2016.
Note:
- Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, F = Goals for, A = Goals against, D = Goal difference, Pts= Points, Pos = Position
1st or Champions 2nd or Runner-up 3rd place Promotion Relegation
| Season | League | Cup | Asia | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | D | Pts | Pos | Charity | Malaysia | FA | Competition | Result | |
| 2004 | Premier League | 24 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 27 | 7th | — | — | 3rd round | — | — |
| 2005 | Premier League | 21 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 50 | -33 | 10 | 8th | — | — | 1st round | — | — |
| 2005–06 | Premier League | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 48 | 24 | +24 | 43 | 1st | — | Group stage | 1st round | — | — |
| 2006–07 | Super League | 24 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 24 | 72 | -48 | 9 | 13th | — | Quarter-finals | — | — | — |
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 24 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 29 | 43 | -14 | 26 | 9th | — | Group stage | Quarter-finals | — | — |
| 2009 | Premier League | 24 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 32 | -15 | 18 | 11th | — | Group stage | 1st round | — | — |
| 2010 | Premier League | 22 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 31 | 68 | -37 | 15 | 11th | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2011 | FAM League | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 45 | 40 | +5 | 26 | 6th | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2012 | FAM League | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 25 | -5 | 16 | 7th | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2013 | FAM League | 20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 33 | 6th | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2014 | FAM League | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 34 | 37 | -3 | 28 | 6th | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2015 | FAM League | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 30 | 13 | +17 | 36 | 1st | — | Not qualified | 1st round | — | — |
| 2016 | Premier League | 22 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 48 | 25 | +23 | 50 | 1st | — | Group stage | 2nd round | — | — |
| 2017 | Super League | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Individual player awards
M-League Golden boot winners
| Season | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 |  Ilija Spasojević |
24 |
M-League Top goalscorers
| Season | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Norizam Ali Hassan |
11 |
| 2003 | Sufian Shamsubari |
8 |
| 2004 |  Emir Dzafic |
10 |
| 2009 | Fauzi Kassim |
7 |
| 2015 | Nurshamil Abd Ghani |
15 |
| 2016 | Ilija Spasojević |
24 |
Affiliated clubs
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/11/01/musa-kini-dikenali-sebagai-mufc MUSA kini dikenali sebagai MUFC
- ↑ Melaka United layak ke Liga Perdana
- ↑ Melaka United juarai Piala Liga FAM
- ↑ Persatuan bola sepak Melaka dijenama semula
- ↑ Penjenamaan semula bola sepak Melaka
- 1 2 3 http://www.hmetro.com.my/node/176335 Imej baru MUFC perkasa Melaka United [METROTV]
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay21.html Malaysia 1921
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay24.html Malaysia 1921
- 1 2 http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay79.html Malaya Cup 1979
- ↑ http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00036849500000015 The demand for Semi-Pro League football in Malaysia 1989–91: a panel data approach
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay81.html Malaya Cup 1981
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay82.html Malaysia 1982
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay89.html Malaysia 1989
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay94.html Malaysia 1994
- 1 2 3 http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=0111&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=sp_01.htm Pemain Malaysia bebas ke Brunei
- ↑ http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=1998&dt=0613&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=sp_03.htm Demam Piala Dunia rasuk Liga Perdana
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay98.html Malaysia 1998
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay01.html Malaysia 2001
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay02.html Malaysia 2002
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay03.html Malaysia 2003
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay04.html Malaysia 2004
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay05.html Malaysia 2005
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay06.html Malaysia 2006
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay07.html Malaysia 2007
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay08.html Malaysia 2008
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay09.html Malaysia 2009
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2010.html Malaysia 2010
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2011.html Malaysia 2011
- ↑ http://www.sinarharian.com.my/edisi/melaka-ns/pemain-berbakat-berhijrah-punca-pasukan-bola-sepak-melaka-merosot-1.63326 Pemain berbakat berhijrah punca pasukan bola sepak Melaka merosot
- ↑ http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/Sukan/20121027/su_04/Sokongan-peminat-semakin-menurun---Kelab-Penyokong-Melaka Sokongan peminat semakin menurun - Kelab Penyokong Melaka
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2012.html Malaysia 2012
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2013.html Malaysia 2013
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2014.html Malaysia 2014
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2015.html Malaysia 2015
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay83.html Malaysia 1983
- ↑ Melaka kembali warnai Liga M
- ↑ 32 tahun ketandusan sebarang piala dalam arena bola sepak tempatan
- ↑ http://www.stadiumastro.com/blog/blog/2016/11/01/jangan-cari-pasal-dengan-melaka! Jangan cari pasal dengan Melaka!
- 1 2 3 4 http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/11/14/melaka-lantik-eric-williams-sebagai-jurulatih-baru Melaka lantik Eric Williams sebagai jurulatih baru
- ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2016/11/03/29130692/melaka-united-to-offer-spasojevic-solehin-and-eight-other Melaka United to offer Spasojevic, Solehin and eight other players new contract
- ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2016/11/28/29964252/transfer-round-up-melaka-recruit-nine-new-players-jdt-signed?ICID=HP_BN_3 TRANSFER ROUND-UP: Melaka recruit nine new players, JDT signed one
- 1 2 http://www.bharian.com.my/node/27708 Ultras Malaya cetus kebangkitan
- ↑ "Arena – Berita Sukan, Jadual Perlawanan & Keputusan | Stadium Astro". Retrieved 2015-12-24. Melaka United terima tajaan RM5 juta
- ↑ Melaka United sasar layak ke Piala Malaysia 2016
- ↑ http://www.stadiumastro.com/ms/article/2016/11/30/mamee-kekal-penaja-utama-melaka-united Mamee-Double Decker (M) Berhad (Mamee) kekal sebagai penaja utama Melaka United
- ↑ "Coaching Staff". Melaka United. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
- ↑ http://us.soccerway.com/national/malaysia/premier-league/2016/regular-season/r34043/
- ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/malay2016.html
External links
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