Hong Kong football league
Encyclopedia
Tracing back to early 20th century, the football
league in Hong Kong
is probably the oldest professional league in Asia. While most records before the Second World War have been lost and the current Hong Kong Football Association
(HKFA) only recognises the match results since its establishment in 1945. Hence, not many people can remember the old glory of Hong Kong's professional football.
Amateur leagues:
All the leagues are organised by the HKFA.
All the cup competitions are also organised by the HKFA. Among them the HKFA Cup and Silver Shield are probably the oldest professional football competitions in Asia - even earlier than the league.
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...
league in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
is probably the oldest professional league in Asia. While most records before the Second World War have been lost and the current Hong Kong Football Association
Hong Kong Football Association
The Hong Kong Football Association , often abbreviated to the HKFA, is the governing body of association football in Hong Kong. Its current chairman is Brian Leung Hung-Tak and its general secretary is Vincent Yuen Mun-Chuen.- History :...
(HKFA) only recognises the match results since its establishment in 1945. Hence, not many people can remember the old glory of Hong Kong's professional football.
Current System
Professional league:- The First DivisionHong Kong First Division LeagueHong Kong First Division League is the top division football league in Hong Kong which was established in 1908, the oldest in Asia. It does not affiliate to any football leagues in the People's Republic of China.-Competition format:...
Amateur leagues:
- The Second DivisionHong Kong Second Division LeagueHong Kong Second Division League is the second level of football league in Hong Kong, founded in 1909. The top two teams are promoted to the Hong Kong First Division League.-Competition format:...
- Hong Kong Third 'A' Division LeagueHong Kong Third A Division LeagueHong Kong Third 'A' Division League is a division of the Hong Kong Football Association in Hong Kong. Along with Hong Kong Third 'District' Division League, it is the third overall tier of the Hong Kong football league system....
(for clubs) - Hong Kong Third 'District' Division LeagueHong Kong Third District Division LeagueHong Kong Third 'District' Division League is a division of the Hong Kong Football Association in Hong Kong. Along with Hong Kong Third 'A' Division League, it is the third overall tier of the Hong Kong football league system....
(for district squads)
All the leagues are organised by the HKFA.
| Level | League(s)/Division(s) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong Kong First Division League Hong Kong First Division League Hong Kong First Division League is the top division football league in Hong Kong which was established in 1908, the oldest in Asia. It does not affiliate to any football leagues in the People's Republic of China.-Competition format:... 10 clubs |
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| 2 | Hong Kong Second Division League Hong Kong Second Division League Hong Kong Second Division League is the second level of football league in Hong Kong, founded in 1909. The top two teams are promoted to the Hong Kong First Division League.-Competition format:... 12 clubs |
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| 3 | Hong Kong Third A Division League Hong Kong Third A Division League Hong Kong Third 'A' Division League is a division of the Hong Kong Football Association in Hong Kong. Along with Hong Kong Third 'District' Division League, it is the third overall tier of the Hong Kong football league system.... 19 clubs |
Hong Kong Third District Division League Hong Kong Third District Division League Hong Kong Third 'District' Division League is a division of the Hong Kong Football Association in Hong Kong. Along with Hong Kong Third 'A' Division League, it is the third overall tier of the Hong Kong football league system.... 11 clubs |
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Cup eligibility
- FA CupHong Kong FA CupHong Kong FA Cup is a knockout cup competition in Hong Kong football, run by and named after The Hong Kong Football Association. The first edition of the competition was held in 1975, before then the cup was known as the Golden Jubilee Cup. The current season is the 33rd edition of the event...
: Level 1 - League CupHong Kong League CupThe Hong Kong League Cup is an annual football competition contested by clubs in the Hong Kong First Division League. The cup was relaunched for the 2010-11 season after being discontinued in the 2009-10 season.-Format:...
: Level 1 - Community Shield: Level 1
- Senior ShieldHong Kong Senior ShieldHong Kong Senior Challenge Shield is the oldest football knockout inter-club competition in Asia. Usually only the teams in First Division would enter into the competition...
: Level 1 (and some seasons, Level 2-3) - Junior Challenge Shield: Level 2-3
- Viceroy CupHong Kong Viceroy CupHong Kong Viceroy Cup is an abandoned football competition in Hong Kong. It was the first footabll competition in Hong Kong which allowed business sponsorship. Together with First Division League, FA Cup and Senior Shield, they were at the time considered as Big Four compeititons in Hong Kong...
(defunct)
All the cup competitions are also organised by the HKFA. Among them the HKFA Cup and Silver Shield are probably the oldest professional football competitions in Asia - even earlier than the league.
Notable clubs
- South ChinaSouth China Athletic AssociationSouth China Athletic Association is a Hong Kong sports club, best known for its football team....
- Happy Valley
- Sun Hei (now Convoy Sun Hei)
- T10 FC
- Double FlowerDouble FlowerDouble Flower Football Association is a Hong Kong football club and plays in Hong Kong Second Division League. It was a very successful team in 1990s under the name Instant-Dict .-Events:...
(now plays in Second DivisionHong Kong Second Division LeagueHong Kong Second Division League is the second level of football league in Hong Kong, founded in 1909. The top two teams are promoted to the Hong Kong First Division League.-Competition format:...
) - Instant Dict.Double FlowerDouble Flower Football Association is a Hong Kong football club and plays in Hong Kong Second Division League. It was a very successful team in 1990s under the name Instant-Dict .-Events:...
(defunct) - Seiko (defunct)
External links
- HKFA official site - English version (Chinese version also available)
- Hong Kong Football - (English version)