Gangwon FC (Korean:강원 FC, Hanja: 江原 FC) is a South Korean football club. Based in Gangwon Province of South Korea, Gangwon FC joined the K-League as its 15th club for the 2009 season.
History
Foundation
Gangwon-do's Governor Kim Jin-Sun announced a schedule for the foundation of the 15th professional football club to participate in the K-League on April 28, 2008.[1] A committee, the "Foundation of Football Club in Gangwon Preparation Committee", was organized on 18 June 18, 2008 to facilitate the foundation.[2] Preparations had advanced sufficiently that by 17 November 2008, 14 players had joined Gangwon FC in a first nomination. On November 20, 2008, Gangwon FC organized its first full squad, a total of 23 players, including nine players from the 2009 K-League draft.[3] Gangwon FC was formally founded on 18 December 2008 in time to enter the 2009 edition of the K-League.
Debut Season - 2009
Gangwon played its first ever K-League match against Jeju United on 8 March 2009, at Gangneung Stadium, winning 1-0 with a decisive goal from Yoon Jun-Ha. With this victory, they became the first ever team to win their debut game in K-League. Gangwon FC continued their winning start to the season with a further four victories on the trot and causing a sensation in the first half of 2009 K-League.[4] Unfortunately Gangwon was unable to maintain their initial success, and by round 19 had fallen into the lower half of the league table. By the conclusion of their first season in the K-League, they placed 13th of fifteen clubs.
Kim Young-Hoo finished as top scorer for the club with 13 goals (good enough to place joint 3rd in the overall "Top Scorers"). Kim was awarded K-League Rookie of the Year for his efforts during the season. Gangwon FC was award the Fair Play Award for the 2009 season.
In the 2009 Korean FA Cup, Gangwon entered the competition in the round of 32 stage, and defeated their first opponent Incheon Koreail FC in a penalty shootout after a 2-all draw. They then faced the Chunnam Dragons, losing 1:0. The club fared little better in the 2009 K-League Cup, finishing bottom of their group with only a single win (against Daejeon) to show for their efforts.
Tough period in K-League
Gangwon had played hard season in 2010 although first striker Kim Young-Hoo scored 13 goals in league, but club marked 12th of fifteen. 2011 season was the worst season after foundation. Gangwon marked at the last position in the list only 14 goals scored in thirty matches.
From 2012 season, optional relegation and promotion made progress. Last two teams in the list will be relegeted second division. At the end of 42 round, Gangwon got 43 points. It was only ahead of one point to relegate. In the 43 round, Gangwon decided remaining at the K-League by Baek Jong-Hwan's decisive goal won Seongnam in away game by 1-0.[5]
Players
Current squad
- As of 13 January 2014
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
|
| 31 |
 |
FW |
Kim Yun-Ho
|
| 32 |
|
FW |
You Jae-Won
|
| 36 |
|
DF |
Kim Young-Yun
|
| 37 |
|
DF |
Ko Gi-Hun
|
| 38 |
|
DF |
Park Moon-Ho
|
| 40 |
|
MF |
Lee Bong-Jun
|
| 41 |
|
GK |
Lee Keun-Pyo
|
| 42 |
|
DF |
Kim Dae-San
|
| 43 |
|
FW |
Park Dong-Shin
|
| 45 |
|
MF |
Lee Jong-In
|
| |
|
GK |
Hwang Kyo-Chung
|
| |
|
GK |
Hong Sang-Jun
|
| |
|
GK |
Yang Dong-Won
|
| |
|
DF |
Park Dae-Han
|
| |
|
MF |
Seo Bo-Min
|
| |
|
MF |
Han Seok-Jong
|
| |
|
MF |
Choi In-Hoo
|
| |
 |
FW |
Joélson |
|
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
|
| |
|
MF |
Baek Jong-Hwan (to Sangju Sangmu Phoenix for military service)
|
| |
|
FW |
Jang Hyuk-Jin (to Sangju Sangmu Phoenix for military service) |
|
Notable Players
Captains
Youth Club
On 13 September 2010, Gangwon FC U-12 team was created in Gangneung.
On 2 November 2011, Gangwon FC made an agreement with Gangneung Jeil High School (under 18 team) and Jumunjin Middle School (under 15 team).
Coaching and Medical Staff
Coaching Staff
Executive Office
- Chairman: Gangwon Province governor
- President
- Kim Won-Dong[7][8] (11 November 2008 - 22 July 2011)
- Nam Jong-Hyun[9] (22 August 2011 – 19 September 2012)
- Kim Deok-Rae(caretaker)[10] (14 December 2012 – present)
Managers
Supporters
Even with a short history, Gangwon FC has a strong fan base, with supporters nicknamed Narcia.
Statistics
Kit Supplier
- 2009-2010: Nike
- 2011-2012: Mizuno
- 2013-: Astore
Main Sponsor
References
External links
|
|---|
| Only one division
(1983–2012) |
|
|---|
| Two divisions
(2013–present) |
|
|---|
|
Current season
Li Chunyu (2010)
Baže Ilijoski (2010)
Muhamed Džakmić (2011–12)
Ianis Zicu (2012–)