Jurong FC
Encyclopedia
Jurong Football Club was a professional football
club, based in the Jurong
area of Singapore
. The club played in Singapore's S.League
from 1997 to 2003. The team's best league finishes in this period were fifth place in both 1998 and 2001.
The club was founded in 1975, and prior to 1997 was known as Jurong Town Football Club. The team won Singapore's President's Cup (now known as the Singapore Cup
) in 1989, and were runners-up in the Singapore Cup in 1999 and 2002.
In 1975, the club organised the Jurong League for the men and Jurong Netball League for the ladies. These two competitions attracted a large amount of workers in Jurong, after their working hours they used to play in these competitions before going home. Then, the club was given the Division One status. It was coached by the well know footballer in the 60's, the late Rahim Omar. He coached the club for two years, after which it was relegated to Division Two till 1987.
In 1988, the FAS re-organised the domestic competition, Jurong was once again selected to be in the Premier League. In that year, Jurong was sponsored by Japan Airlines, the first company to come into a domestic competition with $100,000 sponsorship. This sponsorship helped the club to engage players like V.Sundramoorthy
, Jeffrey Lazaroo, ARJ Mani K Kannan, D Tokijan and Lim Chiew Peng. Two youngsters Nasri Nasir and Lim Tong Hai
who joined the club at the age of 17. Jurong gave both these young players $3000 scholarship. Jurong FC also signed a Brazilian, Manalton Santos and Jurong won the President's Cup in that year. D Tokijan was awarded the top scorer for the year.
Sundram did not start the season because he had good offer from Switzerland
. He had this golden opportunity and Jurong do not want to be an obstacle in his career even with one year contract with Jurong FC, the club happily released him to pursue a better future.
In 1989, David Lee and Auyeong Pak Kuan joined Jurong FC and the team won the President's Cup, Singapore Pool's Cup and finished runners-up in the Premier League. Jurong FC had two Danish and one Finnish player in the squad.
In 1990, the club gave another opportunity to two youngsters, they are Tamil Maran and Shari Ismail, who are now back with Jurong FC. The club also signed two Australian, Tommy Marras and Peter Murphy
. And the team finished second in the Premier League with goal difference to Geylang International
.
In 1991, Jurong FC was relegated to Second Division.
In 1992, Jurong FC played well and was promoted to Premier League again. During this year another player was unearthed, he was Nahar Daud, now playing for Tiong Bahru United
. Jurong FC finished runners-up in the second division and qualify thru the play-off into the Premier League.
In 1993, the club was not doing so well even after signed a Danish coach and three Danish players. But Jurong escaped the relegation.
In 1994, this time no chance, even with players from Slovakia
, the club was relegated to Division One.
In 1995, the club was relegated to Division Two.
In 1996, After doing so badly in the past three years, K Suppiah the club manager wanted to help Jurong FC to come back, he engaged Mr Jimmy Pearson to be the coach for 1996 team and with two signings from Ghana
and one from Nigeria
. It worked as Jurong were the group Champion in its group and earned a place in the S-League 1997.
mascot was also Dragon at that time. Jurong FC was allocated in Bukit Gombak Stadium
instead of the original base, Jurong Stadium
and finished seventh out of nine teams in its first S-League season. Jurong FC created upset along the season by ending Geylang United unbeaten runs in the league and also scored the most fastest goal of the season. Jurong FC setup its first Club House at Jurong Reptile Park that year.
In 1998, Jurong FC once again changed its mascot to Cobra as it was a significant of the club sponsor, Jurong Reptile Park. Jurong FC once again was relocated to the new 2000 seats Jurong East Stadium
. Jurong FC performance in 1998 is astounding as the club finished fifth out of eleven teams. Jurong FC Scottish coach, Jimmy Pearson left the club at the end of 98 season due to some coach-player problems.
Jurong FC topscorer, Joseph M Pragasam was the first Jurong FC player to represent Singapore National Team
ever since Jurong FC turned professional. Jurong Reptile Park pull out in between the season and there is a financial crisis in the club and facing a gravely financial problems, The New Paper
planned and setup a "SAVE JURONG CAMPAIGN", "SAVE JURONG LIFE-LINE", "Walkaton", Golf Tournament" and a "Gala Dinner & Dance" in order to raise a fund of $500,000,00 which was achieved. That year, Jurong Club House was relocated to Jurong East Stadium
due to the pull out of the sponsorship. Jurong FC was nominated to represent Singapore to participate in the India Shield Tournament in Calcutta in that year.
In 1999, Jurong FC star player, V Sundramoorthy was appointed the coach of Jurong FC. He became the first ever player-coach in the S-League history. Jurong finished in a respectable sixth position in the 12-team league.
The year was also a memorable season for the Cobras as this is the first time Jurong FC came so close for a trophy since they played in the S-League 3 years ago as they reached the final of the Singapore Cup
. The club's captain, Jason Ainsley was the top scorer for Jurong FC with a goals tally of 19 Goals under his belt, he was the third top scorer in the S-League in 1999. But sad news happened again, Jurong FC main sponsor's WSA Lines became the second sponsor to pull out from Jurong. Dalis Supait was recalled back to the National team after a superb performance showed in that season.
P Sugunan V Sundramoorthy Dalis Supait
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club, based in the Jurong
Jurong
Jurong is the largest town in the western part of Singapore, consisting of 11 residential precincts, 14 industrial districts, 1 military zone and 1 Waterfront district. It resembles Woodlands, the largest town in the northern part of Singapore, which is smaller in size, has smaller industrial area...
area of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. The club played in Singapore's S.League
S.League
The S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...
from 1997 to 2003. The team's best league finishes in this period were fifth place in both 1998 and 2001.
The club was founded in 1975, and prior to 1997 was known as Jurong Town Football Club. The team won Singapore's President's Cup (now known as the Singapore Cup
Singapore Cup
The Singapore Cup is an annual soccer competition in Singapore.The Singapore Cup is the major cup competition in Singapore football, and has existed since the 1997 ....
) in 1989, and were runners-up in the Singapore Cup in 1999 and 2002.
Pre S-League Era
Jurong Football Club (formerly known as Jurong Town FC) was formed in 1975, the registration date was 25 July 1975. The purpose of forming the club was to serve those thousand employees and residents in the Jurong Industrial estate.In 1975, the club organised the Jurong League for the men and Jurong Netball League for the ladies. These two competitions attracted a large amount of workers in Jurong, after their working hours they used to play in these competitions before going home. Then, the club was given the Division One status. It was coached by the well know footballer in the 60's, the late Rahim Omar. He coached the club for two years, after which it was relegated to Division Two till 1987.
In 1988, the FAS re-organised the domestic competition, Jurong was once again selected to be in the Premier League. In that year, Jurong was sponsored by Japan Airlines, the first company to come into a domestic competition with $100,000 sponsorship. This sponsorship helped the club to engage players like V.Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy
V. Sundramoorthy is a retired Singaporean footballer in the 1980s and 1990s, and widely touted as one of the country's most skillful and talented footballers ever.-Playing Career:...
, Jeffrey Lazaroo, ARJ Mani K Kannan, D Tokijan and Lim Chiew Peng. Two youngsters Nasri Nasir and Lim Tong Hai
Lim Tong Hai
Lim Tong Hai was a defender for the Singapore national football team from 1990 to 1999, and is now the team manager of Geylang United of the S.League.-Club career:...
who joined the club at the age of 17. Jurong gave both these young players $3000 scholarship. Jurong FC also signed a Brazilian, Manalton Santos and Jurong won the President's Cup in that year. D Tokijan was awarded the top scorer for the year.
Sundram did not start the season because he had good offer from Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He had this golden opportunity and Jurong do not want to be an obstacle in his career even with one year contract with Jurong FC, the club happily released him to pursue a better future.
In 1989, David Lee and Auyeong Pak Kuan joined Jurong FC and the team won the President's Cup, Singapore Pool's Cup and finished runners-up in the Premier League. Jurong FC had two Danish and one Finnish player in the squad.
In 1990, the club gave another opportunity to two youngsters, they are Tamil Maran and Shari Ismail, who are now back with Jurong FC. The club also signed two Australian, Tommy Marras and Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy may refer to:* Peter Murphy , British musician with the band Bauhaus* Peter Murphy , English Stuckist artist* Peter Murphy , Irish international footballer with Carlisle United...
. And the team finished second in the Premier League with goal difference to Geylang International
Geylang United FC
Geylang United Football Club is a professional football club from Singapore, currently playing in the S.League. The club is based in Bedok and their home ground is Bedok Stadium. Their mascot is an eagle, and hence the team is also known as "the Eagles"....
.
In 1991, Jurong FC was relegated to Second Division.
In 1992, Jurong FC played well and was promoted to Premier League again. During this year another player was unearthed, he was Nahar Daud, now playing for Tiong Bahru United
Tanjong Pagar United FC
Tanjong Pagar United Football Club is a professional football club in Singapore. The club took part in Singapore's S.League from 1996 to 2004. The club withdrew from the S.League after the 2004 season because of financial problems but returned to the S.League in 2011.Prior to the formation of the...
. Jurong FC finished runners-up in the second division and qualify thru the play-off into the Premier League.
In 1993, the club was not doing so well even after signed a Danish coach and three Danish players. But Jurong escaped the relegation.
In 1994, this time no chance, even with players from Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, the club was relegated to Division One.
In 1995, the club was relegated to Division Two.
In 1996, After doing so badly in the past three years, K Suppiah the club manager wanted to help Jurong FC to come back, he engaged Mr Jimmy Pearson to be the coach for 1996 team and with two signings from Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and one from Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. It worked as Jurong were the group Champion in its group and earned a place in the S-League 1997.
Inception into the S-League
In 1997, it was a big year for Jurong FC, its changed its name from Jurong Town to Jurong FC. The mascot was also changed from Dragon to Scorpion as Police FCHome United FC
Home United Football Club is a professional soccer club which plays in Singapore's S.League.-History:The Police Sports Association was founded in the mid-1940s to organise football activities for the Singapore Police Force. They sent two teams to compete in the Singapore Amateur Football...
mascot was also Dragon at that time. Jurong FC was allocated in Bukit Gombak Stadium
Bukit Gombak Stadium
The Bukit Gombak Stadium is located in Bukit Batok, Singapore, and has a capacity of 3,000 people. The stadium was home to Gombak United FC in the S-league before they left the S-league in the year 2002. Thereafter, the stadium was converted to a Centre of Excellence for the Singapore Athletic...
instead of the original base, Jurong Stadium
Jurong Stadium
Jurong Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jurong, Singapore. It is currently used mostly for football matches and was the home stadium of Sinchi FC when they played in the S.League from 2003 to 2005. Previously, Singapore Armed Forces FC had played their home games in this venue.The stadium...
and finished seventh out of nine teams in its first S-League season. Jurong FC created upset along the season by ending Geylang United unbeaten runs in the league and also scored the most fastest goal of the season. Jurong FC setup its first Club House at Jurong Reptile Park that year.
In 1998, Jurong FC once again changed its mascot to Cobra as it was a significant of the club sponsor, Jurong Reptile Park. Jurong FC once again was relocated to the new 2000 seats Jurong East Stadium
Jurong East Stadium
Jurong East Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jurong East, Singapore. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Albirex Niigata FC. The stadium holds 2,700 people and opened in 1998. It is one of only two stadiums in Singapore that does not have a running...
. Jurong FC performance in 1998 is astounding as the club finished fifth out of eleven teams. Jurong FC Scottish coach, Jimmy Pearson left the club at the end of 98 season due to some coach-player problems.
Jurong FC topscorer, Joseph M Pragasam was the first Jurong FC player to represent Singapore National Team
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
ever since Jurong FC turned professional. Jurong Reptile Park pull out in between the season and there is a financial crisis in the club and facing a gravely financial problems, The New Paper
The New Paper
The New Paper is Singapore's second-highest circulating paid English-language newspaper, first launched on July 26, 1988, by Singapore Press Holdings . According to SPH, its average daily circulation for August 2010 was 101600....
planned and setup a "SAVE JURONG CAMPAIGN", "SAVE JURONG LIFE-LINE", "Walkaton", Golf Tournament" and a "Gala Dinner & Dance" in order to raise a fund of $500,000,00 which was achieved. That year, Jurong Club House was relocated to Jurong East Stadium
Jurong East Stadium
Jurong East Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jurong East, Singapore. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Albirex Niigata FC. The stadium holds 2,700 people and opened in 1998. It is one of only two stadiums in Singapore that does not have a running...
due to the pull out of the sponsorship. Jurong FC was nominated to represent Singapore to participate in the India Shield Tournament in Calcutta in that year.
In 1999, Jurong FC star player, V Sundramoorthy was appointed the coach of Jurong FC. He became the first ever player-coach in the S-League history. Jurong finished in a respectable sixth position in the 12-team league.
The year was also a memorable season for the Cobras as this is the first time Jurong FC came so close for a trophy since they played in the S-League 3 years ago as they reached the final of the Singapore Cup
Singapore Cup
The Singapore Cup is an annual soccer competition in Singapore.The Singapore Cup is the major cup competition in Singapore football, and has existed since the 1997 ....
. The club's captain, Jason Ainsley was the top scorer for Jurong FC with a goals tally of 19 Goals under his belt, he was the third top scorer in the S-League in 1999. But sad news happened again, Jurong FC main sponsor's WSA Lines became the second sponsor to pull out from Jurong. Dalis Supait was recalled back to the National team after a superb performance showed in that season.
Pulling out from the S-League
And finally in 2003, Jurong FC's financial problems caused the club to hit root bottom, thus, the club pulled out from the S-League indefinitely much to the dismay of fans and supporters.S.League Record
- 1997 - 7th place
- 1998 - 5th place
- 1999 - 6th place
- 2000 - 6th place
- 2001 - 5th place
- 2002 - 7th place
- 2003 - 6th place
Singapore Cup Record
- 1997 - First Round
- 1998 - First Round
- 1999 - Runners-up
- 2000 - First Round
- 2001 - First Round
- 2002 - Runners-up
- 2003 - 3rd place
Former Notable Players
Jason Ainsley Bashir Khan K Tamil Marren Joseph Pragasam Razali RashidRazali Rashid
Razali Rashid is an Singaporean football Forward who played for Singapore in the 1984 Asian Cup. He also played for Farrer Park United....
P Sugunan V Sundramoorthy Dalis Supait