Hong Kong First Division League
This article needs to be updated.(September 2015) |
Founded | 1908 |
---|---|
Country | Hong Kong |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of teams | 12 (2023–24) |
Level on pyramid | 2 (2014–) 1 (1908–2014) |
Promotion to | Hong Kong Premier League |
Relegation to | Hong Kong Second Division |
Domestic cup(s) | FA Cup Junior Division |
Current champions | Central & Western (2022–23) |
Most championships | South China (41 titles) |
Website | hkfa.com |
Current: 2023–24 Hong Kong First Division |
The Hong Kong First Division League (
Since 1908, a total of 29 clubs have been crowned champions of the Hong Kong football system. South China are the most successful club, having won 41 times since their first participation in 1941.
Competition format
Each team plays the other teams in the division twice, one home and one away game. The ticket profits go to the home team. If there are two matches in the same stadium on the day, the profits are shared between the two home teams.
The top two teams in the league are offered promotion to the Premier League while the bottom two are relegated to the Hong Kong Second Division.
Exceptions
There were two teams, The Army and The Police, that are not required to be relegated. The league explained that soldiers in The Army team were frequently redeployed to another country and hence it was very difficult to establish teamwork. The Police team were not required to be relegated as they supply the venue Police Sports and Recreation Club for the league.
Another relegation exception was made to
Past winners
As a 1st Tier League
As a 2nd Tier League
Season | Champions | 1st Runner-up | 2nd Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|
2014–15 | Sun Source | HKFC | Southern |
2015–16 | Tai Po | HKFC | Sun Hei |
2016–17 | Sun Hei | Wong Tai Sin | Wing Yee |
2017–18 | HKFC | Shatin | Eastern District |
2018–19 | Happy Valley | HKFC | Rangers |
2019–20 | Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong | ||
2020–21 | HKFC | North District | Sham Shui Po |
2021–22 | Abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong | ||
2022–23 | Central & Western | Kowloon City | North District |
Records
Undefeated teams
Since 1945 (i.e. after World War II, when
- Navy B (1945–46)
1945–46 There were 10 teams in the First Division. Navy B finished as 4th with a result of 5 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses. Navy B became the first team to go unbeaten in all league and cup matches in a season.
- South China (1977–78, 1985–86)
1977–78 There were 12 teams in the First Division. South China finished as the Champions with a magnificent result of 20 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses. South China became the first team in the League to go unbeaten in a season. The two drawn matches were against Eastern and Tung Sing.
In 1985–86 there were 2 unbeaten teams in the league. Both South China and Happy Valley topped the league with 10 wins and 8 draws. South China won the league with a goal difference of +21 five goals better than the +16 held by Happy Valley. South China became the first team to hold a record of 2 unbeaten seasons.
- Seiko(1978–79)
1978–79 In the season immediately after
- Happy Valley (1985–86)
1985–86 Happy Valley was unbeaten in the season, same as South China (10 wins and 8 draws). However, Happy Valley finished runners-up because a worse goal difference. It became the first unbeaten team which could not gain the title for the season.
- Sun Hei (2002–03, 2016–17)
2002–03
2016–17 Sun Hei were also the first team since the reformation of the First Division as the second tier of Hong Kong football to finish a season undefeated. They won the title in 2016-17 by one point over Wong Tai Sin.
- HKFC(2017–18)
2017–18
Top goal scorers
- Ho Cheung Yau (Chinese: 何祥友) (Most goals in a season)
- Season: 1957–58
- Number of goals: 40
- Team: South China
- Dale Tempest (Most times winner for Top Goal Scorer prize)
- Winning seasons: 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95
- Total goals: 160
- Played teams: Eastern, South China, Kitchee
- Yuen Kuen To (4 times Top Goal Scorer runner-up)
- Runner-up seasons: 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1972–73
Goalkeeper records
References:[6]
- Iain Hesford (longest clean sheets)
- Record: 827 min
- Season: 1992–93
- He assisted Eastern to maintain a record of 0 conceded and 9 straight wins in the first 9 matches of 1992–93 season. His record ended when they played the second round match against South China at the 17th minute. The goalscorer was Loh Wai Chi.
See also
- The Hong Kong Football Association
- Hong Kong national football team
References and notes
- ^ 傳媒報導 – 1 August 2006 羅傑承主政班費千萬增兵 南華搵摩連奴師兄執教 Archived 17 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine, SCAA Fans Club official site, Accessed on 20 October 2007.
- ^ 聯賽長勝軍(上) (in Chinese). The HKFA website.
- ^ 聯賽長勝軍(下) (in Chinese). The HKFA website.
- ^ 甲組神射手回顧(上) (in Chinese). The HKFA website.
- ^ 甲組神射手回顧(下) (in Chinese). The HKFA website.
- ^ HKFA Webpage (in Chinese) (聯賽不失球紀錄的保持者─希福特)
External links
- (in Chinese) The Hong Kong Football Association
- Hong Kong Football
- Club profiles (archived 15 September 2008)
- RSSSF.com – Hong Kong – List of Champions and Runner-Ups