Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club (simply known as Celtic) is a South African amateur football club based in Bloemfontein that competes in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of the South African football league system. Bloemfontein Celtic has a large fan base in the Free State. Its supporters were known as Siwelele. The team plays its home matches in Siwelele Park Ground.

Bloemfontein Celtic
Full nameBloemfontein Celtic Football Club
Nickname(s)Phunya Sele Sele, Siwelele
Founded1969 (1969), as Mangaung United
GroundSiwelele Park Ground, Bloemfontein
Capacity500
LeagueABC Motsepe League

The club sold its franchise to Royal AM before the start of the 2021–22 South African Premier Division season.[1][2][3]

History

The club was founded by Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatane in 1969. They administered the club until the early 1980s when financial challenges forced them to sell the club to Petrus "Whitehead" Molemela.[4] In November 2001, after the relegation of Phunya Sele Sele, Molemela sold his shares in the club to Demetri "Jimmy" Augousti, a former Celtic player.

After only three years out of the top-flight, the club regained its PSL status with an impressive season in 2003–04 when they were crowned First Division champions. They also managed to win the 2005 SAA Supa 8 and the 2007 Telkom Charity Cup.

In 2009 they formed a partnership with Portuguese club Sporting CP, that included the creation of a youth academy, based in the capital of the Free State.[5]

Max Tshabalala, who also owns Roses United, took over from Augousti on 21 July 2014.[6]

Honours

Club records

Premier Soccer League record

Chairmen
  • Union of South Africa Norman Mathobisa and Victor Mahatanya (1969–1984)
  • Union of South Africa Petros Molemela (1984 – November 2001)
  • South Africa Jimmy Augousti (November 2001 – 21 July 2014)
  • South Africa Max Tshabalala (21 July 2014 – 22 July 2014)
  • South Africa Khumo Molahlehi (23 July 2014 – present)

Coaches
  • France Paul Dolezar (2005–06)
  • South Africa Tony De Nobrega (2006–07)
  • South Africa Khabo Zondo (1 July 2007 – 9 April 2008)
  • South Africa David Modise (interim) (April 2008 – 8 June)
  • South Africa Mich d'Avray (1 July 2008 – 27 December 2008)
  • South Africa Owen Da Gama (28 Dec 2008 – 30 June 2010)
  • South Africa Clinton Larsen (9 Aug 2010 – 7 October 2013)
  • Germany Ernst Middendorp (11 Oct 2013 – 15 December 2014)
  • South Africa Clinton Larsen (15 Dec 2014–2015)
  • Serame Letsoaka ( 3 Dec 2015–30 Oct 2016)
  • John Maduka & Lehlohonolo Seema(interim)(30 Oct 2016–3 Jul 2017)
  • Veselin Jelusic (3 July 2017 – 14 June 2018)
  • Steve Khompela ( 20 June 2018–27 Dec 2018)
  • Lehlohonolo Seema (28 Dec 2018– 5 Jul 2020)
  • John Maduka (6 July 2020–present)

References
  1. Sibembe, Yanga (17 August 2021). "SOCCER: Royal AM finally make it into the Premiership after PSL confirms Bloem Celtic purchase". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. "OFFICIAL | PSL confirm Bloemfontein Celtic sale, club to be renamed Royal AM". Kick Off. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  3. "PSL confirms sale of Bloemfontein Celtic to Royal AM". FS News Online. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  4. "Celtic co-founder Mathobisa mourned". The Sowetan.
  5. Bloemfontein Celtic FC (2009). "Academy: New academy to improve Celtic football". Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  6. "Max Tshabala Says He Is The New Bloem Celtic Owner". soccerladuma.co.za.
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