History of Kelantan FA

Early years (1986 – 2006)

In 1986, the Deputy Minister of Kelantan, Datuk Haji Ahmad Haji Ahmad Maher Alhaddad led Kelantan football until 1990. In 1991, Kelantan State Secretary, Datuk Haji Wan Hashim Wan Daud took over the leadership after the state government changed hands. In 2004, the presidency changed hands after Datuk Ahmad Yaakub Jazlan are given access to leading Kelantan football. In 2005, Kelantan has become the only team that play in Malaysia FAM League, the third-tier football league after got relegated from Premier League. Many football players born in Kelantan has made a name at the national level and represent the country in international competition. Names like Hamid Ramli, Mustafa Hashim, Kamaruddin Hamzah Mohd Nor and Afendi never did the country proud in football. Even now many Kelantan born players representing the club and the states in the local league.

Annuar Musa years (2007 – 2016)

Starting in 2007, the landscape of football in Kelantan began to change when Tan Sri Annuar Musa was entrusted to lead the Kelantan Football as the president for the 2007/2010 season. Annuar called as the father of football development in Kelantan. During the first year, Kelantan showed improvements obtaining third place in the 2007–08 Malaysia Premier League. During the Malaysia Cup campaign, although Kelantan failed to qualify for the Malaysia Cup quarter-final, the team showed improvement in the group stage.

In 2009, Kelantan made to the finals of the Malaysia FA Cup and the Malaysia Cup. However, they lost in both games and had to settle for second place. In 2010, Kelantan eventually created its own history by achieving the status of the Super League runner-up and Malaysia Cup champions. Kelantan continued its achievements in 2011 when they once again made history by clinching their first Charity Shield Cup in Kuala Lumpur beating Selangor and lifting their first Super League trophy. In 2012, Kelantan made history when they became the treble winner by becoming champion in Malaysia FA Cup which is their first time to lift this trophy, Malaysia Cup and Super League. In 2013, they managed to defended their Malaysia FA Cup title but only managed to become the Malaysia FA Cup runner up after losing to Pahang and placed 4th in the league with LionsXII claimed the Super League trophy. The next season, they did not manage to win any title and entered the final with their FA Cup journey ended in the semi final after a loss to Felda United by away goal rule after 5–5 draw by aggregate, placed 6th in Malaysia Super League and Malaysia Cup journey ended after losing to Kedah FA 3-4 by aggregate in quarter final and it continued in 2015 although they managed to enter 2015 Malaysia FA Cup and becoming the runner up behind LionsXII, finish at 9th of the table in Super League and did not even managed to enter the Malaysia Cup quarter final after only gained 3rd of the table during the group stage. He resigned from the position of president on 8 November 2016.

Peter James Butler (2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2012)

Under Peter Butler's helm, Kelantan home side went unbeaten in the 2008/2009 season until venue irregularities had a home result lost by default by the Football Association of Malaysia. The game between Kelantan and KL PLUS was awarded 3–0 to KL PLUS as Kelantan could not agree on a suitable venue. However the result was then revoked and the game would be replayed at a later date. Butler is a former England and West Ham United midfielder in the 90s. As Kelantan's coach, he managed to help Kelantan participate in the Malaysia Super League, the top league in Malaysian football. In 2009, he led the team in the final of the Malaysia FA Cup for the first time since the FA Cup was introduced in 1990. However, they lost to Selangor on penalties 1–4. He also managed to lead the team in the Malaysia Cup final during same year. Butler resigned as head coach a week before the 2009 Malaysia Cup campaign. He returned to be head coach in mid 2012 after the withdrawal of Datuk M. Karathu in late 2011.

B. Sathianathan (2009 – 2011)

Kelantan shocked by the news of the resignation of head coach Peter Butler a week before kick-off the 2009 Malaysia Cup campaign. However, the management managed to overcome the problems that occur and to appoint the former national team handler, B. Sathianathan in continuing the Kelantan Malaysia Cup campaign. He led the team to the final where they lost 1–3 to Negeri Sembilan. During the 2010 season, Sathia continue his duty as head coach. He brought in former Malaysia national players, such as Akmal Rizal and Hairuddin Omar into the team. However, he failed to lead the team to the FA Cup final when they lost to Kedah on the away goals rule. He brought the first major trophy in Kelantan History in 2010 by winning the prestigious Malaysia Cup by beating Negeri Sembilan 2-1.

M. Karathu (2011)

During the period of B. Sathianathan suspension, Kelantan signing the former Perak head coach, Datuk M. Karathu. He brought more success to the team when Kelantan won their first Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup and also clinched their first Malaysia Super League title in 2011. They qualified to the 2011 Malaysia Cup final but lost to Terengganu. After that, he announced his resignation as coach. The reason given is that he wanted to spend time with his family.

Bojan Hodak (2012 – 2013)

Bojan Hodak is MyTeam former head coach for three seasons since 2006 before he moved to Phom Penh Crown in the Cambodian League for six months. During 2011 to 2012, he was appointed as chief executive officer of the Academy of Al-Hamra Red Warriors. However, after the withdrawal of Peter Butler, he became head coach of Kelantan. During 2012 season, Kelantan won their first FA Cup title beat Sime Darby 1–0. Bojan managed to retain the Super League title in 2012. His biggest achievement with the team when Kelantan won their first treble title during 2012 season. Recently, he managed to retain Malaysia FA Cup when Kelantan beat Johor Darul Takzim 1–0 during 2013 FA Cup final.

2013 Malaysia Cup final against Pahang was his last match with the team. Bojan announced its during a press conference at the Shah Alam Stadium. The Croatian has won it all with The Red Warriors, capturing the treble Malaysian Super League, FA Cup, and Malaysia Cup in his debut year as a coach last season. This year he went on to retain the FA Cup and finished fourth in the Super League despite losing a few key players. However the team failed to retain their Malaysia Cup title when they lost to Pahang 0–1.

Steve Darby (2014)

During November 2012, Steve Darby a former Johor and Perak head coach was appointed as new Kelantan's head coach. He was replaced by George Boateng after a horrible 0-4 loss to Sime Darby.

George Boateng (2014 – 2015)

Tan Sri Annuar Musa officially confirmed the appointment via his official Facebook page, and George Boateng will be assisted by six other coaches, including the current interim head coach Hashim Mustapha. The former Hull City skipper has a wealth of Premier League football experience and has also been capped by the Dutch national team on four occasions. His last playing stint in Malaysia with T-Team FC will also be beneficial towards his understanding of the local game. He was replaced by Azraai Khor in the mid 2015 Malaysia Super League season.

Azraai Khor (2015)

Azraai Khor came in the mid season to replace George Boateng. However his appointment could not helped Kelantan with only 1 win in the league during his management and his best achievement is becoming the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup runner up behind LionsXII. He resigned after 0-3 loss to LionsXII.

K.Devan (2016)

On 5 December 2015, K. Devan was officially introduced to the fan along with 3 of their new local player signing to play in upcoming 2016 season. After an unsatisfactory performance shown by the team in the league, he had make a decision to resign on 12 May 2016 citing personal reason.

Velizar Popov (2016)

On 12 May 2016, Kelantan FA has hired former Maldives national team coach, Velizar Popov to handle the Super League side until the end of the 2016 season following former head coach K. Devan's resignation after an unsatisfactory performance of the team under his guidance. Bulgarian Popov has been tasked to ensure Kelantan finish in the top four of the Super League and reach the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup. He made his debut as Kelantan head coach playing against Selangor on away match on 18 May in Shah Alam Stadium with impressive performance played more than 70 min with 10 players after the red card of Wan Zack in the massive derby draw 0–0. Popov reached the most impressive and biggest win ever in the history of the club in away official match for Kelantan on 15 July against Terengganu with 6–1 in Kuala Terengganu in the East Coast Derby for the Malaysian Super League Week 14. Kelantan under Popov's guidance became the first team alongside Kedah to qualify for this year’s Malaysia Cup quarter-finals after 3 wins and one draw in their first 4 matches in the group stage with 2 matches more left before the end. He left the club after his contract was not extended for 2017.

Zahasmi Ismail (2017 – present)

On 30 November 2016, Kelantan Football Association has announced that former Kelantan player and interim head coach, Zahasmi Ismail will return to "The Red Warriors" as their new head coach for M-League 2017. Kelantan has been without a head coach after Velizar Popov decided not to renew his contract with Kelantan due to the financial restrictions that Kelantan FA is currently having. The interim president of Kelantan FA, Afandi Hamzah stated that Zahasmi’s appointment was made after several discussion were held between the two parties.

Club records

Update on 29 October 2016.

Note:

  1st or Champions   2nd or Runner-up   3rd place   Promotion   Relegation

Source:

FA Cup

In 1993 Kelantan entered the semi-finals of the Malaysia FA Cup, but lost to Kedah. Kedah defeated Kelantan with a narrow 3-2 win to enter the finals. The two goals scored by Kelantan came from Hashim Mustapha and Tuan Kamree Tuan Yahya. While in reciprocal action in Kota Bharu, Kelantan lost 0-1. The referee during that game Mohd Jamil Zakaria from Perak was attacked by Kelantan supporters who not satisfied with his decision. M. Karathu first eleven was Kamaruzaman Wan Mohamad, Zahasmi Ismail, Mustapha Aziz, S. Silvarajoo, Zami Mohd Nor, Mohd Zaidi, Tuan Kamree Tuan Yahya, Hashim Mustapha and assisted by 3 import players Dimitri Kalkalnov, Michael Anthony and Kraljevic Marco.

Kelantan won their first FA Cup title during 2012 Malaysia FA Cup campaign. They beat Premier League side Sime Darby with a 1-0 victory. Lebanese striker Mohammed Ghaddar scored the only goal of the match off a penalty kick, which was awarded rather controversially by referee Suhaiza Shukri in the 58th minute. It was a historic day for Kelantan football as the east coast side finally completed a collection of titles in the Malaysia League at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Kelantan retains the FA Cup during 2013 FA Cup final after defeating Johor Darul Takzim 1-0 in the final at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. Kelantan scored the goal in the 14th minute through midfielder Nor Farhan Muhammad through a pass from team captain, Badhri Radzi.

Malaysia Cup

Kelantan much awaited 89-year drought of Malaysia Cup ended in 2010 at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil on 30 October. They came from behind to clinch a 2-1 win over Negeri Sembilan. Badhri Radzi was the hero for the east coast side when he struck the winner in the 65th minute. Kelantan's victorious coach B. Sathianathan refused to commit his future to the newly crowned Malaysia Cup champions as he awaits the result of an appeal against a six-month ban. In 2012, the club again lifted Malaysia Cup trophy after defeating newly promoted side, ATM FA 3-2 in the final and 2012 is the year that will always be remembered by "The Red Warriors" fans after they became the treble winner.

Sponsorship

For season running from 1984 to 2003, Dunhill was club's first shirt sponsor. However, it ended after tobacco sponsorship was banned in Malaysian football. Malaysia's telco, TM is the new shirt sponsors from season 2004 to 2010. In 2010 season, the main sponsors are Al-Hamra Group, Yusmira Trading, Sinar Harian, Air Asia and TM.The sponsor logo will be labeled on the club jersey.The club official sponsor since 2009 are shown below:

Kit manufacturer

The club's kit manufacturer in 2008 was Nike which lasted for a year. In 2009, Sportzone a local manufacturer took charge. Ever since 2010, Umbro has been the manufacturer for this club.

In 2012, the club's kit manufacturer is Umbro and Warriors. Warriors has been the club only manufacturer since 2010 after Umbro has ended their sponsorship in 2012. The club partnership with Warriors ended in 2016 after 5 years becoming the club main kit manufacturer. The club's current kit manufacturer is PUC Sport (before known as HORC )

Stadium

Kelantan FA are currently based at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The capacity of the stadium is 22,000. This has been Kelantan FA's ground since 1946. The Stadium was built in 1967 and aims to provide a venue for sports activities from Kelantan, especially as a soccer field. It was built on the site of a football field of Kelantan Football Association.