Santos F.C. (South Africa)
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| Full name | Engen Santos Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The People's Team | ||
| Founded | 1982 | ||
| Ground | Athlone Stadium, Athlone, Cape Town | ||
| Capacity | 34,000[1] | ||
| Chairman | Goolam Allie | ||
| Coach | Farouk Abrahams | ||
| League | ABC Motsepe League | ||
| 2016–17 | National First Division, 16th | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Santos Football Club or simply Santos, also known under their sponsored title as Engen Santos, is a South African football club based in the Lansdowne suburb of the city of Cape Town that plays in the SAFA Second Division.
History
The club was established in Heideveld on the Cape Flats in 1982 and was originally known as Lightbodys Santos FC, after its sponsor. During apartheid it was renowned for the insistence on non-racial inclusivity – hence the nickname The People's Team.
They played in the Federation Professional League (FPL), the only truly non-racial football body in the country from 1982 to 1990. They won the championship in 1983/4/6/7/8/90 before joining the National Soccer League.
The NSL became the PSL in 1996, with Santos earning promotion to the new league for the 1997–98 season. Santos tasted their first success in the new format of the league in 2001–02 when they surprisingly won the title under the mentorship of Gordon Igesund. This side featured players like Edries Burton, Andre Arendse, Musa Otieno and the club's all-time top goalscorer Jean-Marc Ithier. With the title win Santos became the first – and to date the only – team that was not a founder-member of the PSL to win the league.
They were also crowned Bob Save Super Bowl winners in 2001 and BP Top 8 winners in 2002.
Santos were relegated from the PSL at the end of the 2011–12 season for the first time in the club's history. After finishing 15th in the league they entered the 2011–12 PSL Playoff Tournament where they were pitted against Chippa United and Thanda Royal Zulu. Heading into their final playoff game Santos needed a win over Chippa United to maintain their PSL status but they were defeated 4–3 and subsequently relegated, with Chippa United taking their place in the PSL.[2]
Santos were relegated from the National First Division at the end of the 2016–17 season. The club now plays in the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League.
Notable former coaches
Honours
- PSL Champions: 2001/02
- ABSA Cup Winners: 2003
- FPL League Champions: 1983, 84, 86, 87, 88, 90
- FPL Cup Winners: 1985, 88, 90
- Challenge Cup Winners: 1988
- Bob Save Super Bowl Winners: 2001
- BP Top 8 Winners: 2002
Club records
- Most starts:
- Most goals:
- Most capped player:
- Most starts in a season:
- Most goals in a season:
- Record victory: 6–0 v Intercity Aces (6/3/99, Bob Save Super Bowl); vs Beau West City (26/2/05, Absa Cup); vs Cemforce FC (12/3/05, Absa Cup); vs Island FC (11/3/06, Absa Cup)
- Record defeat: 1–7 v Mamelodi Sundowns (19/8/98, PSL)
Premier Soccer League record
Club officials/Technical team
- Chairman:
- Coach:
- Assistant Coach:
- Marketing & Media Officer:
- Goalkeeper coach:
First team squad
As of April 6, 2015. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer
- Shirt sponsor: Goolam Sports
- Kit manufacturer: Winner
References
- ↑ http://www.ajaxct.co.za/the-club/the-stadium/
- ↑ "Chippa promoted, Santos relegated". MTNFootball.com. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2012.